Materials and Chemical Sciences Research for Direct Air Capture of Carbon Dioxide | DE FOA 0002481

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is this funding opportunity focused on?

This opportunity from the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, Basic Energy Sciences (BES) program, supports research proposals that build fundamental scientific understanding for direct air capture (DAC) of carbon dioxide (CO2). The emphasis is on basic science that explains the underlying materials, chemistry, and physical phenomena governing CO2 capture from very dilute sources.

Which DOE office and program are sponsoring this opportunity?

The sponsor is the DOE Office of Science through its Basic Energy Sciences (BES) program.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FOA) for this grant?

The Funding Opportunity Number is DE-FOA-0002481.

What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is categorized under CFDA/Assistance Listing 81.049.

Is the work expected to be basic research or technology deployment?

The call emphasizes basic science rather than deployment. Proposals should aim to deepen first-principles understanding, with the goal that this scientific foundation will enable more effective, scalable, and economical carbon removal technologies in the future.

Does the opportunity support experimental research, theoretical research, or both?

Both are supported. The solicitation explicitly invites experimental and/or theoretical work aimed at uncovering the governing phenomena behind CO2 capture from dilute sources.

Are single-investigator projects eligible, or does DOE prefer teams?

The opportunity supports both single-investigator projects and multi-investigator teams.

What does DOE mean by "direct air capture" (DAC) in this solicitation?

While DAC commonly refers to capturing CO2 directly from ambient outdoor air, this announcement intentionally broadens the scope to include capture from other dilute, air-derived streams and reservoirs.

What kinds of "dilute, air-derived streams" are included beyond ambient outdoor air?

The scope includes partially concentrated air streams such as building HVAC exhaust (where CO2 concentrations are higher than open atmosphere but still relatively dilute). It also includes natural fluids like ocean and surface waters that have absorbed CO2 from the air.

Are ocean or surface water CO2 capture concepts within scope?

Yes. The call states that capture from natural fluids such as ocean and surface waters that have absorbed CO2 from the air is included within the broadened scope.

Can proposals include both CO2 capture and chemical conversion?

Yes. The solicitation notes interest in approaches that combine capture with chemical conversion of CO2, as long as the work advances fundamental scientific understanding of those steps (for example, the chemistry and mechanisms governing binding, separation, and subsequent transformations).

What is the overall scientific goal of the funded research?

The overall goal is to strengthen first-principles knowledge of CO2 capture from very dilute environments, enabling future DAC-related technologies to be developed on a more rigorous and predictive basis rather than relying primarily on trial-and-error engineering.

How is this opportunity categorized administratively?

It is described as a discretionary grant opportunity from the DOE Office of Science and is categorized under science and technology research and development.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning the solicitation is broadly open to applicants who meet standard federal requirements.

What was the application closing date?

The original application closing date was May 18, 2021.

What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The award ceiling is $1,200,000.

What kinds of research topics are most aligned with the BES emphasis described?

Topics aligned with the description are those that uncover the fundamental materials, chemistry, and physical mechanisms that govern CO2 capture from dilute sources, including understanding capture from ambient air, partially concentrated air streams (such as HVAC exhaust), and air-derived reservoirs (such as ocean and surface waters), and potentially the fundamental science of coupling capture with conversion.

Is the intent of this program tied to broader national outcomes?

Yes. The opportunity frames the work as contributing to energy security and broader national benefits by enabling more effective, scalable, and economical carbon removal technologies over time through stronger scientific foundations.