Clean Fuel News

VTO Announces Video Information Series to Assist Applicants Apply for Funding Opportunities

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) is announcing a new video information series explaining VTO’s Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) process and application components. The videos, which are available on VTO’s Funding Opportunities page, were created to help potential applicants understand the VTO FOA process and requirements and learn how to properly submit the required FOA components.

VTO developed this series in response to Clean Cities stakeholder feedback regarding barriers to VTO’s funding opportunity processes. The series provides clarity on VTO’s FOA process, which is complex and can be difficult for new applicants. The series also applies learnings from the Clean Cities Energy and Environmental Justice Initiative on empowering underserved communities to expand the reach of impacts from funded projects to maximize the benefits of VTO investments that flow to underserved communities.

This series includes:

Session 1:  Basics of a VTO Funding Opportunity – DOE staff provide an overview of the application process for a VTO FOA, including the concept paper and full application phases. Presenters also discuss the key FOA content to read and review, specific FOA language to pay close attention to, and the required components of a full FOA application.

Session 2:  Preparing a FOA Budget Justification and Other Application Components – DOE staff describe key information regarding FOA application components that correspond to a project budget, including an SF-424 allowable project costs, Budget Justification, and Cost Share.

By helping to foster business opportunities and economic development for all potential applicants, this information series is aligned with the Biden administration’s Justice40 Initiative, which established a goal that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, or overburdened by pollution. For more details on VTO’s energy and environmental justice goals and related activities, see the Clean Cities Energy and Environmental Justice Initiative’s website.