ConnectWerx, a Partnership Intermediary under a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) has opened an initial funding opportunity for collaboratives to develop new approaches and frameworks for system planning, cost recovery, and risk allocation for electricity demand growth. This opportunity is authorized under BIL Sec. 40103(b).

Complete the concept paper then the online application and upload the appropriate project information and supporting documentation in the application link below.

Concept paper submissions were due no later than June 30, 2025 at 5PM ET. Concept paper submissions were not required prior to submitting a full application in June, but were highly encouraged and will provide applicants with DOE feedback prior to the full application deadline.

Submissions were due no later than January 30, 2026 at 3 PM ET.

U.S. electricity demand is projected to grow significantly in the next 5-10+ years, driven by data center expansion and the rise of AI applications, domestic manufacturing growth, and electrification of transport, industry, and buildings. DOE is addressing industry and public concerns about powering this demand growth by leveraging the full set of relevant DOE tools and resources.

The objective of this funding opportunity is to engage a collaborative or multiple collaboratives to develop new approaches and frameworks for system planning, cost recovery, and risk allocation for electricity demand growth, in order to facilitate rapid action to accommodate significant near-term load additions while minimizing or preventing rate increases for residential and small commercial and industrial customers.

A collaborative must include at least one State or public utility commission as lead/primary applicant; at least one grid operator; and at least one large load customer/developer (i.e., data center developers/operators, electrified transportation operators, and energy-intensive manufacturers). Collaboratives may also include additional States, public utilities commissions, grid operators, utilities, non-profit organizations, for-profit organizations, and other large load customers. DOE is seeking collaboratives that reflect a diversity of needs and use cases relating to load growth around the country, including (but not limited to) both rural and urban environments. Collaboratives would ideally include organizations at a variety of scales (i.e., large and small) and with a variety of experience with participation in government programs.

Awarded collaborative(s) will provide technical support for analyzing electricity demand growth and planning for generation and grid modernization investments to ensure reliable, affordable service. The collaborative(s) will assist with forecasting demand growth (including sources, locations, scale, and characteristics), identifying opportunities to meet new loads (including demand flexibility in new and existing loads, planning approaches for new generation, interconnection options, transmission expansion, and key grid infrastructure upgrades). The collaboratives may also design new approaches to site identification, cost allocation, and cost recovery structures to enable rapid arrival at load/grid operator agreements in support of infrastructure development.

ConnectWerx, in partnership with DOE, will coordinate the collection of applications, selection of partnership performers, negotiation of Business to Business (B2B) Agreements, and administer funds. DOE expects to make up to 5 – 10 awards totaling up to $28.9 million with this initiative.

How to Participate

1. Review details below on process, timeline, eligibility, and evaluation criteria.
2. Identify interested partner organizations and a suitable lead organization to serve as the lead applicant. ConnectWerx has developed a teaming partner list to facilitate this here.
3. Submit any questions to the opportunity mailbox here, and monitor this page to see when new Q&As are posted.
4. Complete the concept paper submission form and upload the optional, but encouraged, concept paper. Submissions were due Monday, June 30, 2025 at 5 PM ET.
5. Watch the Informational Webinar and Objective Strategic Session from January 8, 2026 at 2 PM ET.
6. Watch the Office Hours from January 22, 2026 at 2 PM ET.
7. Complete the full application submission form and upload a full project narrative, budget workbook, project schedule and supporting documents, in the application link by January 30, 2026 at 3 PM ET.

Concept Paper: Monday, June 30, 2025 at 5 PM ET

Full Application: Friday, January 30, 2026 at 3 PM ET

Objective Strategic Sessions (OSS)/Informational Webinar was on January 8, 2026 at 2 PM ET

• • Watch the Webinar (Video)
  • View the Presentation (PDF)
  • Read the Transcript (PDF)

Informational Office Hours was on January 22, 2026 at 2 PM ET

• • Watch the Webinar (Video)
  • View the Presentation (PDF)
  • Read the Transcript (PDF)

• January 15, 2025: Project Application Period Opens: DOE begins accepting submissions from interested parties
• June 30, 2025, at 5 PM ET: Concept Paper submission period closes
• December 8, 2025: DOE provides feedback on concept papers, including an encourage / discourage recommendation informing whether to submit a full application
• January 8, 2026 at 2 PM ET: Objective Strategic Session/Informational Webinar (OSS/IW): ConnectWerx & DOE will provide further details about the funding opportunity. Interested participants can join to better understand the scope, scale, and intent of the opportunity and ask questions.
• January 22, 2026 at 2 PM ET: Informational Office Hours: Interested applicants can ask additional questions of ConnectWerx & DOE in a webinar format
• January 30, 2026 at 3 PM ET: Full application submission period closes. 
• Spring 2026: DOE announces project selections

1. Applicant qualifies as a domestic entity[1]
2. Applicant team must have demonstrated energy system, project development, and project finance expertise, including expertise in electricity demand growth forecasting, planning, analysis, transmission, interconnection, regulatory policy, risk management, site selection and negotiation, stakeholder engagement, or other relevant expertise applicable to the project objectives.
3. Applicant must be a state entity (e.g., a state energy office or public utility commission). The Applicant team must include a commitment from at least one State or public utilities commission, at least one grid operator, and at least one “point load proponent” (i.e., data center user, data center developer, data center operator, and energy-intensive manufacturer) to perform the work as a collaborative.
4. Applicant must certify it is not owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of government of Country of Risk[2]
5. Persons participating in a Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Program of a Foreign Country of Risk are prohibited from participating in projects selected for federal funding under this Opportunity. Should an award result from this Opportunity, the recipient must exercise ongoing due diligence to reasonably ensure that no individuals participating on the DOE-funded project are participating in a Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Program of a Foreign Country of Risk. Consequences for violations of this prohibition will be determined according to applicable law, regulations, and policy. Further, the recipient must notify DOE within five (5) business days upon learning that an individual on the project team is or is believed to be participating in a foreign government talent recruitment program of a foreign country of risk. DOE may modify and add requirements related to this prohibition to the extent required by law.[3]

DOE retains the prerogative to require additional information from the applicants to verify the applicant meets the eligibility requirements. Further, DOE retains the prerogative to decide whether to fund the proposed project entirely, partially, or not at all.

[1] To qualify as a domestic entity, the entity must be organized, chartered or incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a particular state or territory of the United States; have majority domestic ownership and control; and have a physical place of business in the United States. Specifically, applicants must certify the following:
I certify that the named applicant is not owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of a government of a Country of Risk and meets the eligibility requirements for this program. I further represent that the information contained in the submission is true and contains no misrepresentations. I understand that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent information, misrepresentations, half-truths, or omissions of any material fact, may subject me to criminal, civil or administrative penalties for fraud, false statements, false claims or otherwise. (18 U.S.C. §§ 1001 and 287, and 31 U.S.C. 3729-3733 and 3801-3812). I further understand and agree that the statements and representations made herein are material to DOE’s funding decision.

[2] DOE defines Country of Risk to include China, Russia, North Korea and Iran. This list is subject to change.

[3] Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Program is defined as an effort directly or indirectly organized, managed, or funded by a foreign government, or a foreign government instrumentality or entity, to recruit science and technology professionals or students (regardless of citizenship or national origin, or whether having a full-time or part-time position). Some foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment programs operate with the intent to import or otherwise acquire from abroad, sometimes through illicit means, proprietary technology or software, unpublished data and methods, and intellectual property to further the military modernization goals and/or economic goals of a foreign government. Many, but not all, programs aim to incentivize the targeted individual to relocate physically to the foreign state for the above purpose. Some programs allow for or encourage continued employment at United States research facilities or receipt of federal research funds while concurrently working at and/or receiving compensation from a foreign institution, and some direct participants not to disclose their participation to U.S. entities. Compensation could take many forms including cash, research funding, complimentary foreign travel, honorific titles, career advancement opportunities, promised future compensation, or other types of remuneration or consideration, including in-kind compensation.

Applicants will be reviewed by the following Criteria:

• Technical Merit and Impact (60%): Extent to which project has the potential to facilitate rapid action to accommodate significant near-term electricity demand growth while minimizing or preventing rate increases for residential and small commercial and industrial customers, including consideration of both the extent of acceleration and the magnitude of load impacted. Extent to which the proposal would provide valuable support for analyzing and preparing for electricity demand growth and/or for planning for and enabling grid capacity growth. Anticipated impact that DOE funding will have on the project and/or how DOE funding would enable work that otherwise would not take place. Extent to which project benefits, best practices, and lessons learned will be shared with and will be applicable to the broader industry.
• Project Approach and Feasibility (20%): Extent to which project is well-scoped and feasible, including identification of project risks and potential mitigations. Project is supported by a robust and clear project management approach and structure. A well-thought-out budget and schedule with key milestones are included.
• Team Qualifications and Capabilities (20%): Extent to which the Applicant demonstrates necessary partnerships have been established. Credentials, capabilities, and experience of key personnel and partnering organizations. Clarity and likely effectiveness of the project organization, including sub-recipients or partners, to successfully complete the project. Adequacy and availability of proposed personnel, facilities, and equipment to perform project tasks.

In addition, DOE may consider portfolio-wide program policy factors in determining which applications to select for awards, including:

• The degree to which the proposed project optimizes the use of available DOE funding to achieve programmatic objectives.
• The degree to which the proposed project, or group of projects, represent a desired geographic distribution (considering past awards and current applications).
• The degree to which the proposed project supports complementary efforts or projects, which, when taken together, will best achieve the program’s goals, objectives, and direction.

ConnectWerx has established an online Teaming Partner List where organizations can express interest in partnering with others and share contact information. If you are interested in being added to the teaming partner list and having your information shared with others, please complete this form.

‍By submitting a request to be included on the Teaming Partner List, the requesting organization consents to the publication of its contact information. By enabling and publishing the Teaming Partner List, DOE is not endorsing, sponsoring, or otherwise evaluating the qualifications of the individuals and organizations that are identifying themselves for placement on this Teaming Partner List. DOE will not pay for the provision of any information, nor will it compensate any applicants or requesting organizations for the development of such information.

• What is a PIA and why is DOE pursuing this approach?
  • Partnership Intermediary Agreements (PIAs) are agreements between the Federal government and non-Federal partners (partnership intermediaries or PIs) designed to increase outreach to and engagement with small business firms, institutes of higher education, and non-traditional partners.
• How will the agreement process work after DOE selection?
  • Upon conclusion of selection from DOE Program Office Representative (POR) and finalization of milestone schedule, ConnectWerx will issue a business-to-business (B2B) agreement to the lead performer for review and execution. The B2B agreement will contain mandatory flow downs from the prime Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) executed between DOE and Advanced Technology International.
• How does invoicing and payments work with ConnectWerx?
  • Upon completion of milestones, invoices will be submitted to ConnectWerx for review with DOE and payment release. Incremental payments to the performer will be made in accordance with the established milestones and deliverables as written (and approved by DOE POR) in the B2B agreements. The payment schedule for each project is to be determined based on negotiated milestones and deliverables. Please be aware, additional documentation and support for expenditures may be requested as determined by DOE.
• What is the Department of Energy’s definition or threshold for a “large-load” customer, and how is this determined across different regions?
  • The definition of a “large-load” customer can vary by region; however, most jurisdictions define large loads as at least 50 MW. Applicants are encouraged to reference region-specific criteria within their application. Regional considerations will be evaluated to ensure appropriate alignment with the goals of this opportunity.
• Can the period of performance extend beyond one year?
  • For this program, applicants are encouraged to propose work that will be completed within the 12-month period of performance. However, DOE may allow for up to two 1-year extensions to the initial period of performance. If the proposal would benefit from a longer duration than the initial 12-month period, the applicant should provide justification and supporting evidence explaining the need for the extended period of performance. Projects are not to exceed a total of 36-months.
• Are there any common cost categories that cannot be funded (e.g., travel)?
  • During negotiations, DOE and the Selectee will establish a payment schedule for approved outcome-based deliverables for the project. Allowable costs and any potential restrictions may be discussed and finalized during the negotiation period with selected applicants. Applicants should disclose major budget considerations in their budget workbook.
• How can National Laboratories and other Federal Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) participate in the project?
  • Applicants should specify potential FFRDC (e.g., DOE/National Nuclear Security Administration national laboratories) participation in their application, including proposed funding amounts and scope of work for any FFRDCs. If approved, DOE would directly fund the technical assistance provided by the FFRDC to the collaborative for this program.
• If a prime is unable to flow funds to subrecipients, can FFRDC’s utilize their sub contracts to flow funds to partners?
  • No, FFRDCs cannot flow funds to subrecipients or other project partners. Selectees are solely responsible for funding and executing necessary agreements with sub-recipients. ConnectWERX and DOE will not be involved in nor assist in these activities. However, FFRDCs would be eligible to use subcontracts to execute necessary activities such as analysis that may be part of their scope of work.
• Is my organization eligible to apply? 
  • DOE or ConnectWerx will not make eligibility determinations for potential applicants prior to the date on which applications to this opportunity must be submitted. The decision whether to apply in response to this opportunity lies solely with the applicant.