The application is due on August 24, 2009 at 3:00 PM Eastern Time. Please note: Important information regarding registration and other pre-submission requirements are included in the funding opportunity announcement (FOA). Please refer to the FOA for details.

Anticipated Notice of Selection: December 31, 2009
Anticipated Award Date: March 31, 2010
Total Funding Available: $25,000,000
Award Instrument: Cooperative Agreements

Eligibility Requirements

All domestic entities are eligible to apply, except other federal agencies, Federally Funded Research and Development Center Contractors and nonprofit organizations described in section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 that engaged in lobbying activities after December 31, 1995.

Program Description

Through this FOA the Department of Energy (DOE) seeks to implement the Building America Program’s research program for new and existing homes. This funding opportunity will enable Industry Teams to research, develop and effectively communicate methods to minimize costs of building and retrofitting homes that significantly increase energy efficiency. Key research results and system-based strategies will be communicated to builders, developers and municipalities to accelerate adoption and implementation of cost effective, energy efficient construction. Funding for research and development will address system and subsystem improvements and improvements in construction processes and management. Each proposal may address only one Area of Interest and must be a standalone proposal.

Areas of Interest

Area of Interest 1: Building America Teams—Industry Teams will implement Building America’s research and technical support program for new and existing homes. They will develop cost effective, production ready systems to reduce whole-house energy use in new homes an average of 50% by 2015 and 70% by 2018. Teams selected will focus on both new homes (~75% of their effort) and retrofits (~25% of their effort).

Area of Interest 2: Building America Retrofit Teams—Industry Teams will stimulate the existing home retrofit market through research and technical support to increase efficiency gains and reduce the cost of retrofits. They will develop cost effective, production ready systems to reduce energy in existing homes by 30% or more compared to the home’s current simulated energy use. Teams selected will focus exclusively on retrofits.

Cost Sharing

The DOE is seeking recipient cost share of at least 20% of the total allowable costs and must come from non-federal sources, unless otherwise allowed by law. However, they will consider a cost share as low as 10%.

Topic Areas

Topic Area	Title	Total Funding Available	Number of Awards	Anticipated Award Size	Award Ceiling/ Floor	Period of Performance
1	Building America Teams	$10M (Year 1)	2-3	$5M/year $25M/total	None/ $2.5M	Five approx. 12-month budget periods
2	Building America Retrofit Teams	$15M (Total)	2-4	$5M	None/ $2.5M	Two approx. 12-month budget periods