Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002250
The SMARTFARM funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0002250) is a Department of Energy ARPA-E program focused on one specific bottleneck in low-carbon biofuels: accurately measuring and verifying greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural feedstock production at the field level. Right now, many lifecycle accounting systems rely on national-average emissions factors for crops, which effectively treats all farms as if they have the same emissions profile. In reality, emissions and soil carbon outcomes can vary widely from one field to another based on soil type, weather, fertilizer practices, tillage, crop rotations, and other management choices. Because field-level monitoring is often too expensive and logistically difficult, carbon incentives that exist elsewhere in the biofuel supply chain typically do not reach the grower in a meaningful, performance-based way. SMARTFARM is meant to close that data gap so incentives can be tied to real, measurable on-farm outcomes rather than broad averages.
ARPA-E frames the larger prize as both energy and climate impact. The agency points out that US agriculture could supply on the order of 5 quadrillion Btu of energy as biofuels, and that with improvements across the supply chain these fuels could potentially become carbon negative. Getting there, however, requires growers to adopt technologies and management practices that do more than boost yield. They need to reduce emissions associated with production (for example, from fertilizer-related nitrous oxide and fuel use) while also increasing carbon sequestration in soils. SMARTFARM is designed to make those kinds of improvements easier to reward and scale by enabling credible measurement, reporting, and verification at the farm-field scale.
Technically, the program objective is to fund development of monitoring and analytics systems that can replace national average emissions factors with field-level estimates of feedstock production lifecycle emissions. ARPA-E indicates that proposed solutions will be judged on whether they can quantify feedstock production emissions in a way that is reliable, accurate (low uncertainty), and cost-effective, and that the output metric of interest is emissions expressed in grams of CO2-equivalent per acre. The program also sets an important scalability expectation: the approach should work at field scale, described as being scalable to greater than 80 acres, which signals that SMARTFARM is not just looking for small plot research methods but for systems that can be deployed in commercial agriculture.
From a market and policy perspective, the intended outcome is to unlock new incentive structures for growers by making verification practical. If field-level emissions and soil carbon impacts can be measured cheaply and credibly, then biofuel supply chains, carbon markets, and other procurement programs can differentiate feedstocks based on true climate performance. In ARPA-E's framing, that would create direct rewards for efficiency in feedstock production and improved carbon management, rather than paying everyone based on an assumed average. The FOA suggests the potential emissions benefit could be substantial, with annual US emissions reductions on the order of 1 percent if the approach is successful, and even larger implications if similar monitoring and analytics methods expand beyond biofuel feedstocks to other agricultural products.
On the administrative side, this is an ARPA-E discretionary research and development opportunity using cooperative agreements, reflecting ARPA-E's typical model of active program management and milestone-driven projects. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity, subject to any additional eligibility language in the full announcement). The FOA was created December 18, 2019, with concept papers due February 19, 2020. ARPA-E anticipated around 12 awards, with an award ceiling of $10,000,000 per award. The program sits under CFDA number 81.135 and follows the federal assistance rules in 2 CFR Part 200 (as amended by 2 CFR Part 910), which governs administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements for DOE financial assistance.
In plain terms, SMARTFARM is trying to make climate-smart farming for biofuels measurable at the scale that matters. By funding tools that can quantify field-level lifecycle emissions and soil carbon outcomes with low uncertainty and reasonable cost, ARPA-E is aiming to move the biofuel sector away from generic averages and toward performance-based incentives that reward farmers for practices that genuinely cut emissions and increase sequestration.Apply for DE FOA 0002250
- 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 "Systems for Monitoring and Analytics for Renewable Transportation Fuels from Agricultural Resources and Management (SMARTFARM)" 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 18, 2019.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 19, 2020 Concept Paper Submissions are due 2/19/20.. (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 $10,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 12 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
SMARTFARM (DE-FOA-0002250) FAQ
What is the SMARTFARM funding opportunity?
SMARTFARM (DE-FOA-0002250) is a Department of Energy ARPA-E research and development funding opportunity focused on improving how greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are measured and verified for agricultural feedstock production used in low-carbon biofuels.
What problem is SMARTFARM trying to solve?
Many existing lifecycle accounting systems use national-average emissions factors for crops. That approach treats farms as if they all have the same emissions profile, even though real outcomes can vary widely field by field due to soil type, weather, fertilizer practices, tillage, crop rotations, and other management choices. SMARTFARM targets this bottleneck by enabling credible field-level measurement, reporting, and verification (MRV).
Why are national-average emissions factors considered a limitation?
National averages can mask meaningful differences in emissions and soil carbon outcomes across individual fields. When supply chains rely on those averages, they cannot reliably differentiate feedstocks based on actual climate performance, which limits performance-based incentives for growers.
Why does field-level measurement matter for growers?
ARPA-E notes that field-level monitoring is often too expensive and logistically difficult today. As a result, carbon incentives that exist elsewhere in the biofuel supply chain typically do not reach the grower in a meaningful, performance-based way. SMARTFARM is intended to close that data gap so incentives can be tied to real on-farm outcomes.
What is the main objective of the SMARTFARM program?
The program objective is to fund the development of monitoring and analytics systems that can replace national-average emissions factors with field-level estimates of feedstock production lifecycle emissions.
What kinds of systems does SMARTFARM want to fund?
Systems that combine monitoring and analytics to quantify feedstock production emissions at the farm-field level. ARPA-E emphasizes solutions that are reliable, accurate (low uncertainty), and cost-effective.
What specific output metric does ARPA-E care about?
The output metric of interest is emissions expressed in grams of CO2-equivalent per acre (g CO2e/acre).
How will proposed solutions be judged (at a high level)?
Based on whether they can quantify feedstock production emissions in a way that is reliable, accurate (low uncertainty), and cost-effective, while producing field-level estimates rather than national averages.
What does SMARTFARM mean by "field scale" and scalability?
The FOA sets an expectation that the approach should work at field scale and be scalable to greater than 80 acres. This signals interest in deployable methods suitable for commercial agriculture rather than small-plot-only research approaches.
Is SMARTFARM only about increasing crop yields?
No. ARPA-E frames the need for growers to adopt technologies and management practices that reduce production-related emissions (for example, fertilizer-related nitrous oxide and fuel use) and also increase carbon sequestration in soils. The program is focused on measuring and verifying those outcomes at the field level.
How does SMARTFARM connect to low-carbon or carbon-negative biofuels?
ARPA-E notes that US agriculture could supply on the order of 5 quadrillion Btu of energy as biofuels, and that with improvements across the supply chain these fuels could potentially become carbon negative. Credible field-level MRV is positioned as a key enabling step to reward and scale the practices that would make that possible.
What is the intended market or policy outcome?
To make verification practical so that biofuel supply chains, carbon markets, and other procurement programs can differentiate feedstocks based on true climate performance. This would enable new incentive structures that directly reward growers for measurable emissions reductions and improved soil carbon management, rather than paying based on assumed averages.
What potential emissions impact does ARPA-E associate with success?
The FOA suggests the potential emissions benefit could be substantial, including annual US emissions reductions on the order of 1 percent if the approach is successful, with potentially larger implications if similar methods extend beyond biofuel feedstocks to other agricultural products.
What type of funding instrument is used for SMARTFARM?
This is an ARPA-E discretionary research and development opportunity using cooperative agreements, consistent with ARPA-E's model of active program management and milestone-driven projects.
What does it mean that ARPA-E is using cooperative agreements?
Based on the FOA description, cooperative agreements reflect ARPA-E's typical approach of active program management and milestone-driven execution, rather than a hands-off grant structure.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is open to any type of entity, subject to any additional eligibility language in the full announcement.
How many awards did ARPA-E anticipate making?
ARPA-E anticipated around 12 awards.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $10,000,000 per award.
When was the FOA created and when were concept papers due?
The FOA was created on December 18, 2019, and concept papers were due February 19, 2020.
What federal program number is associated with SMARTFARM?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA number 81.135.
What administrative rules govern this DOE financial assistance opportunity?
The FOA indicates it follows the federal assistance rules in 2 CFR Part 200 (as amended by 2 CFR Part 910), which govern administrative requirements, cost principles, and audit requirements for DOE financial assistance.
What does SMARTFARM mean by "measurement, reporting, and verification" (MRV) in this context?
In the context described, MRV refers to the ability to credibly quantify and validate field-level greenhouse gas emissions and soil carbon outcomes from agricultural feedstock production so results can be used for lifecycle accounting and performance-based incentives.
Does SMARTFARM focus only on emissions, or also soil carbon?
Both are part of the framing. The opportunity highlights reducing emissions associated with production (such as fertilizer-related nitrous oxide and fuel use) and increasing carbon sequestration in soils, with an emphasis on making these outcomes measurable and verifiable at the field level.
Why is cost-effectiveness emphasized?
Because ARPA-E points out that field-level monitoring is often too expensive and logistically difficult today. For incentives and verification to scale to real-world farming, the FOA stresses that solutions need to be cost-effective in addition to accurate and reliable.
Is SMARTFARM intended to apply beyond biofuel feedstocks?
The primary focus is agricultural feedstocks for low-carbon biofuels, but the FOA notes potentially larger implications if similar monitoring and analytics methods expand beyond biofuel feedstocks to other agricultural products.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: BJA FY 20 BJA's STOP School Violence Grant Program
Previous opportunity: Field Initiated Projects Program: Minority-Serving Institution (MSI) - Development
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 0002250
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DE FOA 0002250) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| SMARTFARM SBIR/STTR Apply for DE FOA 0002251 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002251 Agency: Department of Energy, Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Algorithms for Threat Detection Apply for 20 531 Funding Number: 20 531 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| Systems Biology Research to Advance Sustainable Bioenergy Crop Development Apply for DE FOA 0002214 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002214 Agency: Department of Energy - Office of Science, Office of Science Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| DoD Breast Cancer, Era of Hope Scholar Award Apply for W81XWH 20 BCRP EOHS Funding Number: W81XWH 20 BCRP EOHS Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Breast Cancer, Breakthrough Award Levels 1 and 2 Apply for W81XWH 20 BCRP BTA12 Funding Number: W81XWH 20 BCRP BTA12 Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Breast Cancer, Breakthrough Award Level 3 Apply for W81XWH 20 BCRP BTA3 Funding Number: W81XWH 20 BCRP BTA3 Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Breast Cancer, Breakthrough Award Level 4 Apply for W81XWH 20 BCRP BTA4 Funding Number: W81XWH 20 BCRP BTA4 Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Breast Cancer, Innovator Award Apply for W81XWH 20 BCRP INNOV Funding Number: W81XWH 20 BCRP INNOV Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Advanced Manufacturing Technology Services Apply for 2020 NIST MEP AMTS 01 Funding Number: 2020 NIST MEP AMTS 01 Agency: Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| Enabling Discovery through GEnomic Tools Apply for 20 532 Funding Number: 20 532 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| AMTA/Reclamation Fellowships Apply for BOR DO 20 N003 Funding Number: BOR DO 20 N003 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $260,000 |
| FY 20 Oppurtunity Announcement Apply for DWFP 20 S 01 Funding Number: DWFP 20 S 01 Agency: Department of Defense, ACC-APG-Detrick Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $900,000 |
| Switzer Research Fellowships Program Apply for HHS 2020 ACL NIDILRR SFGE 0375 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACL NIDILRR SFGE 0375 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $80,000 |
| International Research and education Network Connections Apply for 20 535 Funding Number: 20 535 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $7,000,000 |
| Spectrum and Wireless Innovation enabled by Future Technologies Apply for 20 537 Funding Number: 20 537 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Willow Creek Reservoir Water Quality Research and Evaluation Studies Apply for W81EWF 20 SOI 0007 Funding Number: W81EWF 20 SOI 0007 Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- Corps of Engineers Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| RFI - Rapid Encapsulation of Pipelines Avoiding Intensive Replacement (REPAIR) Apply for DE FOA 0002263 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002263 Agency: Department of Energy, Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund 2020 Apply for PAS JAKARTA FY20 01 Funding Number: PAS JAKARTA FY20 01 Agency: Department of State, U.S. Mission to Indonesia Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $25,000 |
| AFCEC GIS SUPPORT MAPPING Apply for W9126G 20 2 SOI 1177 Funding Number: W9126G 20 2 SOI 1177 Agency: Department of Defense, Fort Worth District Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $28,669,333 |
| Rehabilitation Engineering Research Centers (RERC) Program: RERC on Rehabilitation Strategies, Techniques, and Interventions Apply for HHS 2020 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0386 Funding Number: HHS 2020 ACL NIDILRR REGE 0386 Agency: Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $925,000 |
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
Access 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.
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 0002250", 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.