Energy & Infrastructure Federal Grants 2026

The Department of Energy (DOE) is one of the largest federal grant-making agencies, distributing billions of dollars annually for energy research, infrastructure, and innovation. DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) funds solar, wind, geothermal, and efficiency programs for manufacturers, utilities, states, and research institutions. ARPA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy) funds high-risk, transformational energy research similar to DARPA's model — programs that could change the energy landscape if successful. The Loan Programs Office (LPO) provides loan guarantees rather than grants, but works alongside grant programs to support large-scale energy projects. Recent legislation including the Inflation Reduction Act has dramatically expanded DOE's grant portfolio, creating new programs for clean hydrogen, carbon capture, advanced nuclear, and grid modernization. Eligible applicants include universities, national laboratories, companies of all sizes, state energy offices, and tribal governments. Most DOE competitive grants require cost-sharing from the applicant — typically 20% to 50% of total project costs.

The DOE national laboratory system — 17 laboratories including Oak Ridge, Argonne, Lawrence Berkeley, Sandia, and NREL — functions as both a grantee and a grant partner for external researchers. The Lab-Embedded Entrepreneurship Program embeds startup founders in national labs for 2-year residencies with DOE funding. The Innovation Crossroads and Cyclotron Road programs offer similar pathways for clean energy entrepreneurs. For state and local governments, the State Energy Program (SEP) distributes formula funding annually for state energy planning and efficiency programs. For manufacturers, DOE's Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office (IEDO) funds industrial heat decarbonization, advanced manufacturing efficiency, and process intensification research — an increasingly significant funding area as industry accounts for roughly one-third of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Grid modernization represents another high-priority funding area, with DOE's Grid Deployment Office distributing billions through the Grid Resilience State and Tribal Grants, Preventing Outages and Enhancing Resilience (POWER) grants, and Smart Grid Investment Grant programs.

Energy & Infrastructure — Frequently Asked Questions