RANGE EXTENDERS FOR ELECTRIC AVIATION WITH LOW CARBON AND HIGH EFFICIENCY (SBIR/STTR) | DE FOA 0002241

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.

• 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.

Apply for DE FOA 0002241

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