Application Notes:

Mandatory concept papers must be received by 5:00 p.m. ET on March 12, 2024.

Concept papers must be submitted online at secure.login.gov.

Concept papers must include:

• Cover page (1 page max)
• Project description and impacts (3 pages max)

Concept papers will be evaluated based on overall responsiveness and viability of the project.

Upon review of concept papers, the funding agency will either encourage or discourage each applicant to submit a full application. Applicants may submit full applications even if they are discouraged from doing so.

Applications must be received by 5:00 p.m. ET on April 30, 2024.

Applications must be submitted online at secure.login.gov.

Applications must include:

• SF 424
• SF LLL
• Technical volume (30 pages max)
• Resumes (3 pages max each)
• Letters of commitment (1 page max each)
• Statement of project objectives (7 pages max)
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion plan (5 pages max)
• Budget justification workbook
• Summary/abstract for public release (1 page max)
• Subrecipient budget justification

Refer to 33-34 of the NOFA file for a list of required application components, and the required format and page limitation for each. Application forms must be submitted in .pdf format, unless state otherwise. Applications must be formatted on standard-sized, single-spaced pages with one-inch margins on all sides, using a 12-point or larger font. Each application page must be numbered. All application documents must be marked with the control number issued to the applicant. The maximum file size that may be uploaded is 50 MB. Refer to pages 31-51 for additional application formatting instructions.

The following are required in order to submit an application:

• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number
• SAM (System for Award Management) registration

Applicants may obtain a UEI number and verify or renew SAM registration status at www.ecivis.com/sam.

Applications will be evaluated using the following criteria:

• Project approach and impact (30 percent)
• Project plan (30 percent)
• Project team and qualifications (25 percent)
• Diversity, equity, and inclusion (15 percent)

Refer to pages 62-63 of the NOFA file for additional information regarding program policy factors that will be used to evaluate applications.

Refer to the NOFA file and Application folder for additional application information.

Match Notes:

Applicants must provide at least 50 percent of project costs via cash and/or in-kind contributions.

The degree to which the proposed project optimizes the use of award funds, including through the provision of cash and/or in-kind matching contributions, will be taken into consideration during the application evaluation process.

Cash matching contributions may include personnel, fringe, supply and equipment, indirect, and other direct costs. In-kind contributions may include the donation of volunteer time or the donation of space or use of equipment.

Funding or property received from state or local governments may be used as match, as long as as the federal government did not provide the funding to the state or local government.

Refer to pages 24-27 of the NOFA file for additional information regarding eligible matching contributions and related requirements. 

The following may not be used as match:

• Revenues or royalties from the prospective operation of an activity beyond the project period
• Proceeds from the prospective sale of an asset of an activity
• Federal funding or property
• Expenditures that were reimbursed under a separate federal program
• Contributions by federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), generally

Funding Notes:

An estimated $15 million is available to support 12 to 18 awards through this program overall, with approximately $5 million available through this component to support approximately 5 to 10 awards ranging from $500,000 to $1 million each.

Awards may be made in the form of cooperative agreements or grants. If FFDRCs are involved in projects, they may be funded separately, as detailed on page 23 of the NOFA file.

Award notifications will be issued on August 5, 2024. Award negotiations are expected to take place between August and November 2024.

Project periods will span from 24 to 36 months, comprised of a single budget period.

Pre-award costs may be eligible with prior funding agency approval. Refer to pages 52-53 of the NOFA file for details

Costs of construction and foreign travel are only allowable with prior written approval by the funding agency.

Projects that include the following activities/costs are highly discouraged:

• Promotion of a specific brand, product, or invention
• Inclusion of novelty vehicles and recreational or sport vehicles
• Subsidies for fuel cost
• Rebates or tax incentives
• Purchase of land

Projects may not involve persons participating in a foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment program of a foreign country of risk.

Funds may not be used for:

• Projects that fall outside the program's specific technical parameters
• Projects for proposed technologies that are not based on sound scientific principles
• Projects that include demonstration of any pre-commercial technology or deployment of any vehicles or fueling infrastructure
• Lobbying
• Costs of conferences not directly and programmatically related to the purpose for which the award was made
• Certain telecommunications and video surveillance services and equipment, as detailed on page 80 of the NOFA file

April 22, 2024
An updated list of questions and answers regarding this program has been released and attached as the Q&A file.

April 8, 2024
An updated list of questions and answers regarding this program has been released and attached as the Q&A file.

February 22, 2024
A list of questions and answers regarding this program has been released and attached as the Q&A file.