Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002779

The Department of Energy (DOE), through its Golden Field Office, released Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) DE-FOA-0002779 under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act). The opportunity provides major federal support for creating Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (often called H2Hubs). These hubs are meant to function as full hydrogen ecosystems within a region, showing how clean hydrogen can be produced, processed, transported, stored, and ultimately used at meaningful scale. The larger policy purpose is to help drive down emissions across hard-to-decarbonize parts of the economy and to support national targets tied to a carbon-free power grid by 2035 and an overall net-zero economy by 2050.

At the program level, DOE describes this as an $8 billion initiative to stand up a national network of hydrogen hubs. The hubs are expected to demonstrate that clean hydrogen can be produced at low carbon intensity and integrated into real markets in ways that are economically workable, not just technically feasible. A central theme is matching supply growth with regional demand growth so that hubs become commercially viable energy systems rather than isolated projects. DOE also frames the hubs as a catalyst for faster deployment of clean hydrogen technologies, larger private-sector investment, and increased U.S. manufacturing across hydrogen-related equipment and infrastructure.

This FOA is grounded in Section 40314 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), which amended the Energy Policy Act of 2005 by adding a new Section 813 establishing the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program. Under that authority, the Secretary of Energy is directed to select at least four regional clean hydrogen hubs based on criteria set out in the statute. Those criteria emphasize diversity and broad national benefit, including feedstock diversity (different primary energy sources or inputs used to make hydrogen), end-use diversity (different consumption sectors such as industry, power, transportation, buildings, or other applications), geographic diversity (hubs spread across different parts of the country), and inclusion of hubs in natural gas-producing regions. The statute also highlights employment impacts and allows DOE to apply additional selection criteria as needed. The codified reference is 42 U.S.C. 16161a.

Project concepts under this FOA are expected to be partnership-driven and regionally grounded. DOE anticipates that each hub will include numerous partners spanning the hydrogen value chain, such as producers, infrastructure owners/operators (pipelines, storage, delivery logistics), off-takers and end users, technology providers, and other regional stakeholders. A strong application would typically show a balanced approach where hydrogen supply, infrastructure buildout, and end-use demand are developed together, rather than assuming demand will appear later. Another key expectation is a credible plan for long-term financial viability after DOE funding ends, meaning the hub should have a pathway to sustained operations supported by market revenues, contracted off-take, or other durable financing structures.

Community and stakeholder engagement is also explicitly called out. DOE indicates the hubs should include substantial engagement with Tribes as well as local and regional stakeholders so the benefits are not only national (emissions reductions, industrial competitiveness), but also local and regional (jobs, economic development, and other community outcomes). In practice, that implies applicants need to think beyond engineering and include meaningful governance, engagement processes, and benefit-sharing approaches consistent with the hub's regional footprint.

In terms of award mechanics, the FOA is a discretionary funding opportunity using cooperative agreements, which typically means DOE will have substantial involvement during performance (for example, through technical oversight, milestones, and go/no-go decisions). The activity category is energy, the CFDA number listed is 81.255, and eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications contained in the full FOA text. DOE projected up to 10 awards, with an award ceiling of $1.25 billion per award. The FOA record shows a creation date of September 22, 2022, and an original closing date of April 7, 2023.

Overall, this grant opportunity is designed to move clean hydrogen from pilot-scale demonstrations to regionally integrated, market-connected systems that can be replicated and expanded nationally. DOE is signaling that successful hubs will combine multiple production pathways and multiple end uses, build the connective infrastructure that makes hydrogen practical at scale, and deliver clear economic and workforce benefits, all while demonstrating real emissions reductions and a credible plan to continue operating after federal support concludes.

  • The Department of Energy, Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Additional Clean Hydrogen Programs (Section 40314): Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA)" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.255.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Sep 22, 2022.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 07, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,250,000,000.00 in funding.
  • The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
  • Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
Apply for DE FOA 0002779

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - DOE Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (FOA DE-FOA-0002779)

What is this funding opportunity?

This is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) numbered DE-FOA-0002779, released through DOE's Golden Field Office. It provides federal support to create Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs (often called H2Hubs) under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act).

What is a "Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub" (H2Hub) in this FOA?

A Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub is intended to function as a full clean hydrogen ecosystem within a region. The hub should demonstrate how clean hydrogen can be produced, processed, transported, stored, and ultimately used at meaningful scale in real-world markets.

What is the main goal of the H2Hubs program?

The main goal is to move clean hydrogen beyond pilot-scale demonstrations into regionally integrated, market-connected systems that can be replicated and expanded nationally. DOE emphasizes that hubs should be commercially viable energy systems rather than isolated projects.

What larger national policy goals does DOE connect to this FOA?

DOE frames the hubs as part of a broader strategy to drive down emissions in hard-to-decarbonize parts of the economy and to support national targets tied to a carbon-free power grid by 2035 and a net-zero economy by 2050.

How much funding is associated with this initiative overall?

DOE describes the hydrogen hubs effort as an $8 billion initiative to establish a national network of hydrogen hubs.

How many awards does DOE expect to make under this FOA?

DOE projected up to 10 awards.

What is the maximum award size under this FOA?

The award ceiling listed is $1.25 billion per award.

What type of federal funding instrument will be used?

This is a discretionary funding opportunity using cooperative agreements. Cooperative agreements typically involve substantial DOE involvement during performance, such as technical oversight, milestones, and go/no-go decisions.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional eligibility clarifications included in the full FOA text.

Which DOE office issued this FOA?

The FOA was released through DOE's Golden Field Office.

What law and statutory authority does this FOA come from?

This FOA is grounded in Section 40314 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), which amended the Energy Policy Act of 2005 by adding a new Section 813 establishing the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program.

What is the codified statutory reference for the Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs program?

The codified reference cited is 42 U.S.C. 16161a.

How many hubs is DOE directed to select under the statute?

The statute directs the Secretary of Energy to select at least four regional clean hydrogen hubs, based on criteria set out in the law.

What kinds of diversity does DOE expect across the selected hubs?

The statutory criteria emphasize diversity and broad national benefit, including feedstock diversity, end-use diversity, geographic diversity, and inclusion of hubs in natural gas-producing regions.

What does "feedstock diversity" mean in the context of this FOA?

Feedstock diversity refers to using different primary energy sources or inputs used to make hydrogen across the selected hubs.

What does "end-use diversity" mean for a hydrogen hub?

End-use diversity refers to hydrogen being used across different consumption sectors, such as industry, power, transportation, buildings, or other applications.

What does "geographic diversity" mean for hub selection?

Geographic diversity means hubs should be spread across different parts of the country rather than concentrated in a single region.

Does the statute require inclusion of any particular types of regions?

Yes. The statute highlights inclusion of hubs in natural gas-producing regions as part of the diversity criteria.

Are employment impacts considered in selection?

Yes. The statute highlights employment impacts, and DOE may apply additional selection criteria as needed.

What kinds of projects or activities are expected within a hydrogen hub?

DOE expects hubs to demonstrate the full hydrogen value chain within a region, including production, processing, transportation, storage, and end use, integrated at meaningful scale.

Does DOE expect a hub to be a single project or a partnership?

DOE expects hub concepts to be partnership-driven and regionally grounded, typically involving numerous partners spanning the hydrogen value chain.

What kinds of partners does DOE anticipate in a strong application?

DOE anticipates partners such as hydrogen producers, infrastructure owners/operators (pipelines, storage, delivery logistics), off-takers and end users, technology providers, and other regional stakeholders.

How important is matching hydrogen supply with demand in this FOA?

It is central. DOE emphasizes developing hydrogen supply, infrastructure buildout, and end-use demand together, with a focus on matching supply growth with regional demand growth so the hub becomes commercially viable.

Does DOE want applicants to assume demand will develop later?

No. DOE indicates that a strong application would typically avoid assuming demand will appear later, and instead show an integrated plan to develop demand alongside supply and infrastructure.

What does DOE mean by a "commercially viable" hydrogen hub?

DOE frames a successful hub as one that integrates clean hydrogen into real markets in ways that are economically workable, not only technically feasible, with an emphasis on a durable regional hydrogen ecosystem.

Is long-term financial viability required after DOE funding ends?

Yes. DOE highlights the expectation of a credible plan for long-term financial viability after DOE funding ends, such as sustained operations supported by market revenues, contracted off-take, or other durable financing structures.

What role does infrastructure play in hub proposals?

Infrastructure is a key expectation. DOE describes hubs as needing connective infrastructure (such as transport and storage) that makes hydrogen practical at scale, alongside production and end use.

What is meant by demonstrating "clean hydrogen" at low carbon intensity?

DOE expects hubs to demonstrate that clean hydrogen can be produced at low carbon intensity. The FOA summary ties this to emissions reduction goals and decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors.

Why is DOE focused on hard-to-decarbonize sectors?

DOE positions hydrogen hubs as a tool to reduce emissions across sectors where decarbonization is difficult, helping hydrogen serve as an emissions-reduction pathway in parts of the economy that are challenging to electrify or otherwise decarbonize.

What are DOE's expectations for community and stakeholder engagement?

Community and stakeholder engagement is explicitly called out. DOE indicates hubs should include substantial engagement with Tribes as well as local and regional stakeholders to ensure benefits are realized locally and regionally, not only nationally.

Why does DOE emphasize engagement with Tribes?

DOE explicitly calls for substantial engagement with Tribes as part of stakeholder engagement expectations, reflecting the program's focus on inclusive regional development and community outcomes.

What kinds of local and regional benefits does DOE expect hubs to deliver?

DOE references local and regional benefits such as jobs, economic development, and other community outcomes, alongside national benefits like emissions reductions and industrial competitiveness.

Does DOE expect a governance or engagement process as part of the hub concept?

Yes. DOE signals that applicants need to think beyond engineering and include meaningful governance, engagement processes, and benefit-sharing approaches consistent with the hub's regional footprint.

What is the activity category and CFDA number listed for this FOA?

The activity category is energy, and the CFDA number listed is 81.255.

When was the FOA created and what was the original closing date?

The FOA record shows a creation date of September 22, 2022, and an original closing date of April 7, 2023.

What is DOE hoping to catalyze beyond the funded hubs themselves?

DOE frames the hubs as a catalyst for faster deployment of clean hydrogen technologies, larger private-sector investment, and increased U.S. manufacturing across hydrogen-related equipment and infrastructure.

What does "regionally grounded" mean in the way DOE describes hubs?

It means the hub should be built around real regional assets and stakeholders, with partnerships and project components that reflect the region's supply options, infrastructure needs, and end-use markets.

What is the overall takeaway for what DOE considers a successful hydrogen hub under this FOA?

DOE signals that successful hubs will combine multiple production pathways and multiple end uses, build the infrastructure that enables hydrogen use at scale, show real emissions reductions, deliver economic and workforce benefits, and demonstrate a credible path to continuing operations after federal support concludes.

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office

Browse more opportunities from the same category: Energy

Next opportunity: Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants - Burnett, Clark, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor and Washburn Counties, Wisconsin

Previous opportunity: Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 National Urban Search & Rescue (US&R) Response System

Applicant Portal:

Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.

Apply for DE FOA 0002779

 

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DE FOA 0002779) also looked into and applied for these:

Funding Opportunity
Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Marine Energy Systems Innovation at Sea Apply for DE FOA 0002793

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002793
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: $2,125,000
Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement No. DE-FOA-0002823 Apply for DE FOA 0002860

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002860
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Request for Information on Request for Information on Electric Vehicle No-Charge Events, including Interoperability Apply for DE FOA 0002797

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002797
Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
This is a Notice of Intent to issue Funding Opportunity Announcement No. DE-FOA-0002854 Apply for DE FOA 0002846

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002846
Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Notice of Intent to issue FY22 Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies—Building Technologies Office Multi-topic Funding Opportunity Announcement Apply for DE FOA 0002865

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002865
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: $10,000,000
Performance Data for Solar Photovoltaic Systems: Acquisition, Access, and Sharing RFI Apply for DE FOA 0002876

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002876
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Notice of Intent to issue DE-FOA-0002828 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) FOA to Address Key Deployment Challenges for Offshore, Land-Based, and Distributed Wind Apply for DE FOA 0002840

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002840
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: $9,700,000
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL): Request for Information (RFI) DE-FOA-0002819 Floating Offshore Wind Energy Mooring and Anchoring Apply for DE FOA 0002819

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002819
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity Announcement No. DE-FOA-0002845: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), Section 41006(a)(2): U.S. Tidal Energy Advancement Apply for DE FOA 0002847

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002847
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Section 41006. Water Power Projects: Innovative Technologies to Enable Low Impact Hydropower and Pumped Storage Hydropower Growth Apply for DE FOA 0002731

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002731
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Section 41006(a)(1). Water Power Projects: Stakeholder Insight into Hydropower R&D Issues Apply for DE FOA 0002800

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002800
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: $4,000,000
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Section 40334: Pumped Storage Hydropower Wind and Solar Integration and System Reliability Initiative Apply for DE FOA 0002802

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002802
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: $10,000,000
Notice of Intent to issue Funding Opportunity Announcement No. DE-FOA-0002788 entitled Buildings Energy Efficiency Frontiers & Innovation Technologies (BENEFIT) - 2022 Apply for DE FOA 0002787

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002787
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Advancing Fish Passage and Protection Technologies Apply for DE FOA 0002801

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002801
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: $1,300,000
POWERING UNELECTRIFIED TRIBAL BUILDING(S) - 2022 Apply for DE FOA 0002771

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002771
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: $4,000,000
CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGY DEPLOYMENT ON TRIBAL LANDS - 2022 Apply for DE FOA 0002774

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002774
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: $4,000,000
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL): Request for Information (RFI) Energy Efficiency Materials Pilot for Nonprofits Apply for DE FOA 0002879

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002879
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW: LONG-DURATION ENERGY STORAGE DEMONSTRATIONS FUNDING OPPORTUNITY ANNOUNCEMENT Apply for DE FOA 0002917

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002917
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: $70,000,000
DOE Partnership Intermediary Pilot Apply for DE FOA 0002930

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002930
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
Request for Information on BIL titled Carbon Dioxide Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation (CIFIA) Program: Future Growth Grants Apply for DE FOA 0002894

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002894
Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory
Category: Energy
Funding Amount: Case Dependent

 

Grant application guides and resources

It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!

Apply for Grants

 

Inside Our Applicants Portal

  • Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
  • Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
  • Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Access Applicants Portal

 

Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers

Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.

If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.

Learn More

 

 

Request more information:

Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "DE FOA 0002779", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:

Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.

 

Ask a Question: