Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003535
DE-FOA-0003535 is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Request for Information (RFI) focused on one specific near-term policy need: creating a clear, federally informed definition of "Sustainable Maritime Fuel" (SMF) in 2025. The RFI is tied to the federal Action Plan for Maritime Energy and Emissions Innovation, which argues that the maritime sector will not be able to meet future emissions goals by swapping in drop-in replacements alone. Instead, the plan anticipates a shift toward a wider set of solutions such as clean methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, electrification, and operational and vessel efficiency improvements as shipping moves toward zero- and near zero-emission pathways. Because many later targets in the Action Plan depend on how SMF is defined (including projections for future production volumes and deployment), DOE is using this RFI to gather practical input before a definition is finalized.
The main purpose of the opportunity is stakeholder engagement rather than funding. DOE is looking for feedback from industry, government entities, and maritime stakeholders on what should count as an SMF and what criteria should be used to evaluate candidate fuels and energy carriers. The RFI emphasizes that a shared definition would help align expectations across communities, shipping and fuel companies, ports, investors and financiers, regulators, and other stakeholders. That alignment is positioned as a prerequisite for scaling technology development and investment, since markets and projects move more confidently when "sustainable" has a consistent meaning that is understood across agencies and the private sector.
DOE notes it is coordinating this effort with other federal agencies to support the eventual SMF definition, including (but not limited to) the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department of State, and the Environmental Protection Agency. In practical terms, this signals that the final definition may need to work across multiple policy and regulatory contexts, including transportation and port operations, agricultural and bio-based feedstock supply chains, international diplomacy and trade considerations, and environmental and public health priorities.
The RFI invites comments on a broad set of potential definition elements. These include the minimum level of lifecycle carbon intensity reduction that a fuel should achieve to qualify as "sustainable," along with what sustainability factors beyond carbon should be included (for example, broader environmental impacts and supply chain considerations). It also asks whether criteria air pollutants should be part of the SMF definition, explicitly referencing NOx, SOx, and particulate matter, which are central to maritime air quality and community health impacts near ports and shipping corridors. Another theme is what feedstocks should be considered acceptable, which matters for biofuels and electrofuels alike because feedstock sourcing strongly influences both lifecycle emissions and broader sustainability concerns. DOE also highlights the need to consider alignment with global frameworks and requirements, specifically pointing to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and FuelEU Maritime, since shipping is inherently international and U.S. definitions that diverge too far from global rules could create compliance and investment friction. Finally, DOE is asking whether and how to account for emission reduction technologies such as onboard carbon capture, which raises questions about how to credit reductions achieved through equipment on the vessel versus upstream fuel production changes.
Submission is straightforward but tightly formatted. Responses must be emailed to DefiningSMF@ee.doe.gov no later than 5:00 pm Eastern Time on February 28, 2025, and they must be included as attachments to the email. DOE recommends compressing (zipping) attachments larger than 25 MB to reduce delivery problems. The response itself must be in Microsoft Word format (.docx) and limited to no more than three pages, using 12-point font and one-inch margins. Only electronic submissions are accepted.
It is important to treat this as a consultation process, not a grant competition. Although it appears in the funding opportunity system and carries the identifier DE-FOA-0003535 (CFDA 81.087) through DOE's Golden Field Office, it is explicitly not a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). There is no award funding available under this posting (award ceiling is listed as $1 and expected awards are 0), and DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is not accepting applications. The intended outcome is an informed federal definition of Sustainable Maritime Fuel, shaped by stakeholder input, that can be used to guide future maritime decarbonization strategy, investment signals, and potential later programs. The full RFI document is available through EERE Exchange at EERE-Exchange.Energy.gov.Apply for DE FOA 0003535
- The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DE-FOA-0003535 Request for Information (RFI): Defining Sustainable Maritime Fuels in the United States" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.087.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-12-17.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-02-28. (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 $1.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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DE-FOA-0003535 (DOE RFI) Sustainable Maritime Fuel (SMF) Definition: FAQs
What is DE-FOA-0003535?
DE-FOA-0003535 is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Request for Information (RFI) seeking stakeholder input to help create a clear, federally informed definition of "Sustainable Maritime Fuel" (SMF) in 2025.
Is this a grant or funding opportunity?
No. This posting is a consultation process, not a grant competition. It appears in DOE's funding opportunity systems, but it is explicitly not a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and does not provide award funding.
Is DOE accepting applications under this posting?
No. DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is not accepting applications under this RFI. DOE is only requesting written feedback and input.
How much funding is available?
No award funding is available. The posting lists an award ceiling of $1 and expected awards of 0, indicating this is not a funding program.
What is DOE trying to accomplish with this RFI?
The goal is to gather practical input before DOE finalizes a definition of Sustainable Maritime Fuel (SMF). DOE is seeking feedback on what should count as SMF and what criteria should be used to evaluate candidate fuels and energy carriers.
Why does the definition of Sustainable Maritime Fuel matter?
DOE indicates that many later targets in the federal Action Plan for Maritime Energy and Emissions Innovation depend on how SMF is defined, including projections for future production volumes and deployment. A shared definition is also intended to align expectations across shipping and fuel companies, ports, investors, regulators, and other stakeholders, helping markets and projects move more confidently.
What policy effort is this RFI connected to?
This RFI is tied to the federal Action Plan for Maritime Energy and Emissions Innovation, which anticipates the maritime sector will need more than drop-in replacements to meet future emissions goals.
What kinds of solutions does the Action Plan anticipate for maritime decarbonization?
The Action Plan anticipates a shift toward a wider set of solutions such as clean methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, electrification, and operational and vessel efficiency improvements as shipping moves toward zero- and near zero-emission pathways.
Who should consider responding to this RFI?
DOE is seeking input from industry, government entities, and maritime stakeholders. The RFI is framed to include perspectives relevant to shipping and fuel companies, ports, investors and financiers, regulators, and other related stakeholders.
What types of criteria is DOE asking about for defining SMF?
DOE invites comments on a broad set of potential definition elements, including lifecycle carbon intensity reduction thresholds, sustainability factors beyond carbon, criteria air pollutants, acceptable feedstocks, alignment with global frameworks, and whether/how to account for emission reduction technologies such as onboard carbon capture.
Is lifecycle carbon intensity part of what DOE wants input on?
Yes. One of the key elements DOE asks about is the minimum level of lifecycle carbon intensity reduction a fuel should achieve to qualify as "sustainable."
Is DOE only focused on carbon emissions?
No. DOE specifically asks what sustainability factors beyond carbon should be included in an SMF definition, referencing broader environmental impacts and supply chain considerations.
Does DOE want input on air pollution impacts like NOx, SOx, and particulate matter?
Yes. The RFI asks whether criteria air pollutants should be part of the SMF definition and explicitly references NOx, SOx, and particulate matter, noting their importance to maritime air quality and community health impacts near ports and shipping corridors.
Does the RFI address feedstocks?
Yes. DOE asks what feedstocks should be considered acceptable. The RFI notes that feedstock sourcing matters for biofuels and electrofuels because it strongly influences lifecycle emissions and broader sustainability concerns.
Is DOE considering international alignment in the SMF definition?
Yes. DOE highlights the need to consider alignment with global frameworks and requirements, specifically pointing to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and FuelEU Maritime, because shipping is inherently international and major divergences could create compliance and investment friction.
Does DOE want comments on onboard carbon capture and other emission reduction technologies?
Yes. DOE asks whether and how to account for emission reduction technologies such as onboard carbon capture, including how to credit reductions achieved through equipment on the vessel versus upstream fuel production changes.
Which DOE office is issuing this RFI?
The RFI is issued through DOE's Golden Field Office and is associated with DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), although EERE is not accepting applications because this is not a NOFO.
What federal agencies are involved or being coordinated with on the SMF definition?
DOE notes it is coordinating with other federal agencies to support the eventual SMF definition, including (but not limited to) the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department of State, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
How do I submit a response?
Responses must be submitted by email to DefiningSMF@ee.doe.gov, and the response must be included as an attachment to the email.
What is the submission deadline?
Responses are due no later than 5:00 pm Eastern Time on February 28, 2025.
Are paper submissions allowed?
No. Only electronic submissions are accepted.
What file format is required for the response document?
The response must be in Microsoft Word format (.docx).
Is there a page limit or formatting requirement?
Yes. The response is limited to no more than three pages and must use 12-point font and one-inch margins.
Can I submit supporting materials or longer appendices?
The RFI specifies that the response must be a .docx document limited to three pages with specific formatting. It also requires that responses be submitted as email attachments. No other allowable formats or exceptions are described in the provided information.
What if my attachments are large?
DOE recommends compressing (zipping) attachments larger than 25 MB to reduce delivery problems.
Where can I find the full RFI document?
The full RFI document is available through EERE Exchange at EERE-Exchange.Energy.gov.
What is the expected outcome after DOE receives responses?
The intended outcome is an informed federal definition of Sustainable Maritime Fuel, shaped by stakeholder input, that can be used to guide future maritime decarbonization strategy, investment signals, and potential later programs.
What identifier and program listing is associated with this RFI?
This posting carries the identifier DE-FOA-0003535 and is listed with CFDA 81.087 in DOE systems, but it remains an RFI rather than a funding solicitation.
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