Milestone-based Fusion Development Program (DE-FOA-0002809)

View the full FOA: https://science.osti.gov/grants/FOAs/Open

Important Dates:

• Submission Deadline for Pre-Applications (Required): Oct. 20, 2022 at 5 PM EDT
• Pre-Application Response Date: Nov. 3, 2022 at 11:59 PM EDT
• Submission Deadline for Full Applications: Dec. 15, 2022 at 11:59 PM EST

Applications may be submitted for applied R&D to resolve scientific and technological issues toward the successful design of a fusion pilot plant (FPP). It is expected that all applications will be led by the private sector with key partners that could include DOE national laboratories, academic institutions, non-profits, and other organizations/entities.

Applications shall propose a series of milestones toward realizing an FPP. The initial project deliverables, by 18 months after award, are FPP preconceptual designs and technology roadmaps, with the understanding that funding for subsequent milestones up to a total period of performance of five years will be contingent upon meeting early milestones and the availability of appropriated funding to continue this program in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 and beyond. As discussed in the NASEM report (footnote 8), a conceptual design of an FPP leading to preliminary and final engineering designs will be required. Table 5.1 in the NASEM report lists technical and non-technical actions that should be completed to enable conceptual, preliminary, and final designs. A preconceptual design would need to address the same issues as the conceptual design but at lower levels of fidelity and with greater uncertainties. 13 As also discussed in the NASEM report (footnote 8), a technology roadmap14 identifies in detail the required critical-path R&D, including any intermediate test facilities, and focuses on the advances required for a particular FPP conceptual design.