DOE SBIR Grants: $200K Phase I, $1.85M Phase II Non-Dilutive Funding for Clean Energy & Climate Tech Innovation
Comprehensive 2026-2027 guide to Department of Energy SBIR/STTR grants providing up to $1,850,000 in non-dilutive funding for renewable energy, energy storage, grid modernization, carbon capture, and climate solutions. Complete application strategies, eligibility requirements, success rates, and funding timelines for Phase I ($200,000) and Phase II ($1,850,000) awards supporting clean tech startups across all 50 states. DOE SBIR takes no equity, requires no repayment, and funds transformative clean energy research and development advancing America's energy transition and climate goals through innovative small business solutions.
DOE SBIR Clean Energy Grants by Region and Tech Hub (2026-2027 Funding Available)
Clean Tech Hubs:
- • SF Bay Area solar energy DOE
- • Los Angeles battery storage
- • San Diego grid technology
- • Berkeley cleantech SBIR
- • Sacramento renewable energy
- • Irvine energy efficiency
- • Fremont EV technology
85+ DOE awards annually
Energy Innovation:
- • Boston energy storage DOE
- • NYC clean energy grants
- • Philadelphia grid tech
- • Pittsburgh carbon capture
- • Albany renewable research
- • Research Triangle solar
- • Connecticut battery tech
60+ DOE awards annually
Energy Transition:
- • Austin clean energy SBIR
- • Houston energy storage
- • Dallas grid modernization
- • San Antonio solar tech
- • Denver renewable energy
- • Phoenix solar innovation
- • Albuquerque DOE research
50+ DOE awards annually
Clean Energy R&D:
- • Seattle energy tech DOE
- • Portland clean energy
- • Chicago grid technology
- • Minneapolis renewable
- • Detroit battery storage
- • Columbus energy efficiency
- • Kansas City wind energy
40+ DOE awards annually
🔥 High-Demand DOE SBIR Clean Energy Keywords 2026-2027:
⚡ 2026-2027 DOE SBIR Program Highlights
Complete DOE SBIR/STTR Funding Ecosystem for Clean Energy Startups
The Department of Energy SBIR/STTR program provides non-dilutive grants for research and development of innovative clean energy technologies addressing America's energy challenges and climate goals. DOE seeks breakthrough innovations in renewable energy, energy storage, grid modernization, carbon management, and energy efficiency with strong commercialization potential.
Clean energy startups can access Phase I funding (up to $200,000) to prove technical feasibility over 6-12 months, followed by Phase II awards (up to $1,850,000) for product development and commercialization over 24 months. DOE evaluates proposals on technical merit, innovation, commercial viability, and alignment with energy mission priorities across Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE), Fossil Energy & Carbon Management (FECM), Nuclear Energy, and Office of Science programs.
Complete DOE SBIR/STTR Funding Ecosystem for Clean Energy Startups
The Department of Energy SBIR/STTR program provides non-dilutive grants for research and development of innovative clean energy technologies addressing America's energy challenges and climate goals. DOE seeks breakthrough innovations in renewable energy, energy storage, grid modernization, carbon management, and energy efficiency with strong commercialization potential[web:171][web:173].
Clean energy startups can access Phase I funding (up to $200,000) to prove technical feasibility over 6-12 months, followed by Phase II awards (up to $1,850,000) for product development and commercialization over 24 months. DOE evaluates proposals on technical merit, innovation, commercial viability, and alignment with energy mission priorities across Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE), Fossil Energy & Carbon Management (FECM), Nuclear Energy, and Office of Science programs[web:173][web:174][web:175].
DOE SBIR and STTR Program Details 2026-2027
Complete breakdown of Phase I, Phase II funding programs with clean energy topic areas and application timelines
Phase I Program Overview
Phase I Clean Energy Objectives:
• Technical Feasibility: Prove clean energy technology works at laboratory scale with measurable performance metrics
• Energy Impact: Demonstrate technology advances DOE mission areas: renewables, storage, efficiency, carbon management
• Market Assessment: Validate customer needs, target markets, commercialization pathway for energy solution
• Risk Reduction: De-risk key technical uncertainties before Phase II development and scale-up
• Performance Validation: Achieve specific milestones proving technology viable for energy applications
Phase I Success Stories - Clean Energy
⚡ SF Battery Storage - $200K Phase I
San Francisco energy storage startup received DOE Phase I for novel solid-state battery technology achieving 2x energy density vs lithium-ion with 50% cost reduction validated through 1000 charge cycles.
Location: San Francisco CA | Tech: Battery Storage | Phase II: Funded $1.5M
⚡ Austin Solar Tech - $195K Phase I Grant
Texas solar startup obtained DOE SBIR Phase I for perovskite solar cells achieving 28% efficiency with 10-year stability, 40% lower manufacturing cost vs silicon validated with 2 utility partnerships.
Location: Austin TX | Tech: Solar Energy | Efficiency: 28% conversion
⚡ Boston Carbon Capture - $200K DOE Award
Massachusetts climate tech company secured DOE Phase I for direct air capture system removing CO2 at $100/tonne (vs $600 incumbent) through novel sorbent materials validated with MIT partnership.
Location: Boston MA | Tech: Carbon Capture | Cost: $100/tonne CO2
⚡ Seattle Grid Tech - $185K Phase I Funding
Washington grid modernization startup received DOE SBIR for AI-powered grid optimization reducing renewable curtailment 60% enabling 40% more solar/wind integration demonstrated with regional utility pilot.
Location: Seattle WA | Tech: Grid AI | Impact: +40% renewables
📍 DOE SBIR Phase I Application Deadlines 2026-2027
Release 2 Deadlines (FY 2026):
- • Opens: October 2026
- • Closes: January 2026
- • Awards: July 2026
- • Topics: 40+ clean energy areas
Release 1 Deadlines (FY 2027):
- • Opens: April 2026 (expected)
- • Closes: July 2026 (expected)
- • Awards: January 2027
- • Check science.osti.gov/sbir for updates
Two annual releases with 40+ topic areas across EERE, FECM, Nuclear Energy programs[web:173][web:174]
Phase II Program Overview
Phase II Funding Options:
- • Base award: $1.1M typical commercialization
- • Sequential Phase II: Additional $750K available
- • Total maximum: $1.85M combined funding
- • 24-month base + optional 12-month extension
Phase II Success Stories
💎 Denver Wind Tech - $1.5M Phase II + Series A
Colorado wind energy startup received $1.5M DOE Phase II for advanced wind turbine blade technology increasing output 25%. Subsequently raised $8M Series A, deployed at 5 wind farms.
Location: Denver CO | Deployment: 100 MW | Revenue: $5M ARR
💎 LA Hydrogen - $1.85M Phase II Award
California hydrogen startup obtained maximum $1.85M DOE Phase II for green hydrogen production at $2/kg (vs $5 conventional) through electrolysis innovation. Pilot with 3 industrial customers, pre-IPO stage.
Location: Los Angeles CA | Cost: $2/kg H2 | Status: Pre-IPO
💎 Chicago Geothermal - $1.2M Phase II Funding
Illinois geothermal startup secured $1.2M DOE Phase II for advanced geothermal system reducing drilling costs 70%. Serving 20 commercial buildings, acquired by energy services company for $35M.
Location: Chicago IL | Buildings: 20 deployed | Exit: $35M
EERE Topics:
- • Solar energy technology
- • Wind energy systems
- • Battery storage & grid
- • Hydrogen & fuel cells
- • Geothermal energy
- • Building efficiency
- • Electric vehicles
- • Bioenergy & biofuels
FECM Topics:
- • Carbon capture CCUS
- • Direct air capture DAC
- • Carbon utilization
- • Critical minerals extraction
- • Hydrogen from fossil
- • Methane mitigation
- • Grid resilience
Other Topics:
- • Nuclear energy innovation
- • Fusion energy
- • Advanced manufacturing
- • Materials science
- • Sensors & controls
- • Grid modernization
- • Energy storage systems
DOE SBIR Application Success Strategies 2026-2027
Proven strategies for clean energy startups to maximize DOE SBIR approval rates and win Phase I, Phase II funding
Clearly articulate how innovation advances DOE priorities: renewable energy deployment, grid reliability, emissions reduction, energy security, climate goals with quantified energy impact metrics
Provide specific metrics: "Solar cell efficiency 28% vs 22% industry standard", "Battery cost $80/kWh vs $140 incumbent", "Grid stability +40% renewable integration" with experimental validation
Include letters of support from utilities, energy companies, industrial customers validating problem and expressing interest in piloting technology
Develop realistic path to market addressing energy sector challenges: long sales cycles, regulatory requirements, utility procurement, demonstration needs
Generic technology without clear relevance to DOE priorities. Must show specific energy impact: MW deployed, CO2 reduced, efficiency improved, grid reliability enhanced
Assuming utilities or energy companies will adopt without validation. Energy sector conservative - need letters of support, pilot commitments demonstrating customer interest
Not addressing grid interconnection standards, utility regulations, permitting, safety certifications required for energy technology deployment
Ready to Access DOE SBIR Funding and Win Clean Energy Grants?
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⚡ DOE SBIR Grant Assistance: Phase I $200K • Phase II $1.85M • Renewable energy • Energy storage • Solar wind technology • Battery systems • Carbon capture • Hydrogen fuel cells • Grid modernization • Building efficiency • Electric vehicles • Clean manufacturing • Climate solutions across all DOE topic areas supporting America's clean energy transition