Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002241
The RANGE EXTENDERS FOR ELECTRIC AVIATION WITH LOW CARBON AND HIGH EFFICIENCY (REEACH) SBIR/STTR opportunity is a funding announcement from the Department of Energy's Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) aimed at pushing early-stage, high-impact technologies that could meaningfully cut the climate impact of commercial aviation. ARPA-E is designed to support transformative applied research and development that is still too risky or too early for most private investors, with a focus on ideas that could create entirely new performance and cost trajectories rather than just incremental improvements. In practical terms, this program is looking for breakthroughs that could eventually change what is technically and economically possible in aviation energy systems.
The core technical goal of REEACH is to enable lower-carbon, long-range electric aviation by developing a high-efficiency "range extender" that converts the chemical energy in Carbon Neutral Liquid Fuels (CNLFs) into electric power onboard an aircraft. The program is built around the idea of an electrified propulsion architecture where multiple energy sources (such as liquid fuels and batteries) can be combined to support emerging aircraft propulsion concepts, including distributed propulsion, while targeting net-zero carbon emissions for long-range, narrow-body commercial aircraft. Because carbon-neutral liquid fuels may have lower specific energy than conventional jet fuel or may cost more, ARPA-E emphasizes that ultra-high conversion efficiency is essential; without that efficiency, the economics of using these fuels for aviation become much harder to justify.
REEACH specifically targets the fuel-to-electricity conversion portion of a broader electrified aircraft propulsion framework. The range extender would supply electric power both for propulsion and for aircraft "hotel loads" (the onboard electrical demands that are not directly thrust-related). ARPA-E notes that the all-electric powertrain portion of the broader architecture is being pursued under a separate ARPA-E funding opportunity, so this FOA is focused on the component that turns energy-dense, carbon-neutral liquid fuels into usable electrical power at very high efficiency in an aviation-relevant context.
From an applicant and award standpoint, this is an SBIR/STTR opportunity, meaning it is limited to eligible small businesses and is intended to move innovations toward commercialization. ARPA-E runs its SBIR/STTR efforts under the government-wide Small Business Act framework, with the typical phased approach (Phase I, Phase II, and a Phase IIS option). The SBIR side is oriented toward small business-led innovation and commercialization, while STTR additionally emphasizes formal collaboration between a small business and a partnering research institution. ARPA-E also highlights broader SBIR program goals like increasing private-sector commercialization, meeting federal R&D needs, and encouraging participation by disadvantaged and women-owned small businesses.
Administratively, the award instrument is a cooperative agreement, which generally signals more active involvement and coordination with the funding agency compared to a standard grant. The opportunity falls under science and technology and other research and development activities (CFDA 81.135). The funding opportunity number is DE-FOA-0002241, originally posted December 16, 2019, with concept papers due by 9:30 AM ET on January 31, 2020 (and applicants encouraged to submit concept papers at least 48 hours early). ARPA-E anticipated making around 10 awards, with an award ceiling listed at $3,613,889. Applications had to be submitted through ARPA-E eXCHANGE (ARPA-E's online submission portal), and ARPA-E stated it would not consider submissions sent through other methods.
Stepping back, the opportunity is essentially asking small businesses to propose and demonstrate a credible path toward a lightweight, aviation-suitable, extremely efficient system that can turn carbon-neutral liquid fuels into electric power, extending the practical range of electric aircraft concepts and helping make low-carbon commercial flight more feasible at scale. The emphasis on disruptive potential, manufacturability, and eventual market viability reflects ARPA-E's broader mission: fund risky but potentially game-changing technology that can move from early validation toward real-world adoption.Apply for DE FOA 0002241
- The Department of Energy, Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "RANGE EXTENDERS FOR ELECTRIC AVIATION WITH LOW CARBON AND HIGH EFFICIENCY (SBIR/STTR)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.135.
- This funding opportunity was created on Dec 16, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 31, 2020 Concept Papers are due no later than 930 AM ET, January 31, 2020. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit concept papers 48 hours in advance.. (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 $3,613,889.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Small businesses.
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REEACH (Range Extenders for Electric Aviation with Low Carbon and High Efficiency) SBIR/STTR - FAQs
1) What is the REEACH SBIR/STTR opportunity?
REEACH (Range Extenders for Electric Aviation with Low Carbon and High Efficiency) is a Department of Energy ARPA-E funding opportunity focused on early-stage, high-impact technologies that could significantly reduce the climate impact of commercial aviation. The program centers on developing a highly efficient onboard "range extender" that converts the chemical energy in Carbon Neutral Liquid Fuels (CNLFs) into electric power for aircraft.
2) Which agency is offering this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E).
3) What is ARPA-E trying to achieve with REEACH?
ARPA-E is aiming for breakthrough, non-incremental advances that could change what is technically and economically possible in aviation energy systems. For REEACH specifically, the goal is to enable lower-carbon, long-range electric aviation by creating an aviation-suitable, ultra-high-efficiency system that converts carbon-neutral liquid fuels into electricity onboard an aircraft.
4) What problem is REEACH designed to solve?
The program targets a key barrier for long-range electric aviation: carrying enough energy to fly long distances while keeping emissions low. REEACH addresses this by using energy-dense, carbon-neutral liquid fuels as an onboard energy source and converting them to electricity at very high efficiency, helping extend the practical range of electrified aircraft concepts.
5) What technology area does REEACH focus on within electrified aircraft propulsion?
REEACH focuses specifically on the fuel-to-electricity conversion component (the range extender) within a broader electrified propulsion architecture. ARPA-E notes that the all-electric powertrain portion is being pursued under a separate ARPA-E funding opportunity, so REEACH is narrowly focused on the component that turns carbon-neutral liquid fuels into electrical power.
6) What is meant by a "range extender" in this program?
In REEACH, a range extender is an onboard system that converts the chemical energy in Carbon Neutral Liquid Fuels into electric power. That electric power can then support propulsion and other onboard electrical needs, extending the operational range of electric aviation concepts.
7) What fuels are involved in REEACH?
The program is built around Carbon Neutral Liquid Fuels (CNLFs). The range extender is expected to convert the chemical energy of these liquid fuels into electric power onboard an aircraft.
8) Why does ARPA-E emphasize ultra-high conversion efficiency?
ARPA-E highlights that carbon-neutral liquid fuels may have lower specific energy than conventional jet fuel or could be more expensive. Without extremely high fuel-to-electric conversion efficiency, the economics of using these fuels for aviation become much harder to justify. Efficiency is therefore central to making the approach viable.
9) What is the intended aircraft context for REEACH?
The program is framed around enabling net-zero carbon emissions for long-range, narrow-body commercial aircraft by supporting electrified propulsion architectures that can combine multiple energy sources (such as liquid fuels and batteries).
10) What kinds of propulsion concepts are mentioned as relevant?
REEACH is positioned to support emerging aircraft propulsion concepts, including distributed propulsion, within an electrified architecture that can combine multiple energy sources.
11) What will the generated electricity be used for onboard the aircraft?
The range extender is intended to supply electric power for both propulsion and aircraft "hotel loads" (onboard electrical demands that are not directly thrust-related).
12) Is this opportunity a grant, contract, or something else?
The award instrument is a cooperative agreement, which typically indicates more active involvement and coordination with the funding agency than a standard grant.
13) What type of funding program is this (SBIR or STTR)?
This is an SBIR/STTR opportunity. It is limited to eligible small businesses and is intended to move innovations toward commercialization. SBIR is generally small business-led, while STTR additionally emphasizes formal collaboration between a small business and a partnering research institution.
14) Who is eligible to apply?
Based on the information provided, the opportunity is limited to eligible small businesses under the SBIR/STTR framework.
15) What is the difference between SBIR and STTR for this opportunity?
SBIR is oriented toward small business-led innovation and commercialization. STTR includes an added emphasis on formal collaboration between the small business and a partnering research institution.
16) Does ARPA-E mention broader goals for its SBIR/STTR efforts?
Yes. ARPA-E highlights goals such as increasing private-sector commercialization of innovations, meeting federal R&D needs, and encouraging participation by disadvantaged and women-owned small businesses.
17) Is this a phased SBIR/STTR program?
Yes. ARPA-E runs its SBIR/STTR efforts with the typical phased approach: Phase I, Phase II, and a Phase IIS option.
18) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity falls under CFDA 81.135 (science and technology and other research and development activities).
19) What is the funding opportunity number (FOA number)?
The funding opportunity number is DE-FOA-0002241.
20) When was the opportunity posted?
It was originally posted on December 16, 2019.
21) When were concept papers due?
Concept papers were due by 9:30 AM Eastern Time on January 31, 2020.
22) Did ARPA-E provide any submission timing recommendation?
Yes. Applicants were encouraged to submit concept papers at least 48 hours early.
23) How many awards did ARPA-E anticipate making?
ARPA-E anticipated making around 10 awards.
24) What was the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?
The award ceiling was listed at $3,613,889.
25) How were applications required to be submitted?
Applications had to be submitted through ARPA-E eXCHANGE, ARPA-E's online submission portal.
26) Would ARPA-E accept applications submitted by other methods (email, paper, etc.)?
No. ARPA-E stated it would not consider submissions sent through other methods.
27) What kind of project qualities does ARPA-E emphasize for REEACH?
The opportunity emphasizes disruptive potential and a credible path toward a lightweight, aviation-suitable, extremely efficient system. It also reflects ARPA-E's broader focus on manufacturability and eventual market viability, with the intent of moving from early validation toward real-world adoption.
28) How does REEACH connect to commercialization?
Because REEACH is an SBIR/STTR opportunity, it is explicitly intended to move innovations toward commercialization, consistent with ARPA-E's interest in technologies that can progress from high-risk early development toward practical deployment.
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