Phase 1 for the GIFT Voucher Opportunity launched on March 18, 2026. Please see the announcement article here.

Voucher Provider Informational Webinars: DOE will present and summarize the details of the GIFT Voucher Opportunity. Potential Voucher Providers will gain a better understanding of the Voucher Program’s scope, scale, and intent and have the opportunity to ask questions of DOE staff.

• ‍Register for the Informational Webinar on April 1, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET‍
  
  • Focuses predominantly on explaining the Opportunity with some time for questions at the end.‍
• Register for the Informational Webinar on April 15, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET‍
  
  • Focuses predominantly on answering questions from potential applicants.

For an optimal experience, we recommend downloading the Microsoft Teams software to your computer, smartphone, or tablet.

Submission Window: March 18, 2026 – April 22, 2026

• ‍Start the Voucher Opportunity 12 – GIFT Provider Application (Submissions are due no later than April 22, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET)

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Phase 1 – Voucher Provider Capability Submissions Open (March 18, 2026 – April 22, 2026)

• ‍Informational Webinar(s): DOE will present and summarize the details of the GIFT Voucher Opportunity. Potential Voucher Providers will gain a better understanding of the Voucher Program’s scope, scale, and intent and have the opportunity to ask questions of DOE staff.‍
  
  • April 1, 2026 from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET
  • April 15, 2026 from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET
• DOE Selection (Timeline TBD): DOE will review submissions based on the selection criteria and will notify selected entities for next steps.
  NOTE: DOE may choose to meet with applicants or ask additional clarifying questions prior to selection.

Phase 2 – Voucher Recipient Applications and Matchmaking (Spring 2026): Electric Grid Technology Developers will apply to receive testing services, and meritorious applications will be matched to one of the capabilities approved during Phase 1.

Phase 3 – Project Execution (Summer 2027): Matched Provider-Recipient pairs will establish project agreements with DOE or ENERGYWERX to define the scope of work, budget, timing, and outcomes. Projects will then have one calendar year to complete testing activities, including four standardized milestones.  

Submission Window: March 18, 2026 – April 22, 2026

• ‍Start the Voucher Opportunity 12 – GIFT Provider Application (Submissions are due no later than April 22, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET)

Eligible performers (Voucher Providers and Voucher Recipients) must meet the following criteria:

1. Applicant qualifies as a domestic entity.  
2. Applicant must certify that it is not owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of government of Country of Risk.

To qualify as a domestic entity, the entity must be organized, chartered or incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a particular state or territory of the United States; have majority domestic ownership and control; and have a physical place of business in the United States. DOE defines Country of Risk to include China, Russia, North Korea, Iran,and Belarus. This list is subject to change. DOE retains the prerogative to require additional information from the applicants to verify that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements.

Please review the Program Rules document and the Intellectual Property Management Plan included in the Downloadable Files for additional rules and considerations regarding project activities, NEPA, cost share, and intellectual property.

The following criteria will be used by DOE to review and select Voucher Provider applications.

• The proposed testing capabilities have direct relevance and benefit to cost-effective, scalable electric grid technologies and systems.
• The proposed testing capabilities represent testing that can lead to clear advancements in technology readiness.
• The proposed facility is located in the U.S. and meets the eligibility requirements.
• Provider activities supported through the Voucher Opportunity will be limited to conventional test facility operations and demonstration actions, provided that construction or modification would be within or contiguous to a previously disturbed or developed area. Provider activities will not include involving construction (except as limited above); air, ground, or water disturbance; hazardous materials or invasive species disturbance; activities with the potential to cause significant impacts on environmentally sensitive resources; or activities that would potentially violate applicable statutory, regulatory, or permit requirements for environment, safety, and health, or similar requirements of DOE or Executive Orders. As the scope of activities supported by the Vouchers is finalized, they may be subject to additional National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review.
• The application is complete and indicates the necessary expertise, site access, equipment, and availability to conduct at least one testing activity a year if matched with an appropriate Technology Developer.
• The scope, cost, and duration of the proposed project activities are reasonable and within the intended purpose of the GIFT Voucher.

DOE retains the prerogative to require additional information from the applicants to verify that the applicant meets the eligibility requirements and selection criteria. DOE-OE may disqualify an application for any reason, including but not limited to if the applicant engages with the GIFT Voucher Program in a manner that, in the sole discretion of the DOE-OE, is indecent, obscene, or lacking in professionalism. This includes but is not limited to the application itself, or any communication to the facilities or GIFT Voucher Program staff.

The selection process for Voucher Recipient applications is competitive and subject to available funding. DOE retains the prerogative to decide whether to fund the proposed project entirely, partially, or not at all. Per DOE-OE’s discretion, applicants may be selected as an alternate to be awarded if funding becomes available. Awarding the Voucher is dependent on successfully establishing an agreement between the matched Voucher Provider and the Voucher Recipient.

What are the roles of ENERGYWERX and the Department of Energy?

The GIFT Voucher Program is directed by the Department of Energy Office of Electricity (DOE-OE) who is responsible for all selections and rule makings. Voucher Opportunities (VO’s) are conducted through a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) with ENERGYWERX. PIA’s are “designed to increase outreach to and engagement with small business firms, institutes of higher education, and non-traditional partners.” PIA’s are an alternative to conventional financial assistance opportunities, like Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), and work through an intermediary to provide streamlined and flexible solicitations that are approachable to entities unfamiliar with DOE funding programs.

ENERGYWERX was selected as the Partnership Intermediary for DOE’s PIA Pilot program, which started in 2023. ENERGYWERX is tasked with several pieces of the GIFT Voucher Opportunity, including management of the Opportunity announcement webpage and application, engagement with applicants through informational webinars, and contracting of selected projects. ENERGYWERX acts as a neutral facilitator and resource for program participants.

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Why is this called Voucher Opportunity-12 if this is the first round of applications?

In partnership with several DOE offices, ENERGYWERX has created a platform of Voucher Opportunities that support the commercialization of energy technologies and projects. The initial GIFT Voucher Opportunity is the twelfth program to begin work with ENERGYWERX, so it is referred to as VO-12, even though it is the first iteration of the GIFT Voucher Program.

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How is matchmaking conducted?

In Phase 2, applicants are required to submit a prioritized list of pre-approved Capabilities that they would like to work with. The list of Capabilities will be available on the GIFT Voucher Opportunity Website. During selections, the meritorious applications will be initially matched to a Voucher Provider based on the strength of the application, the relevance of testing needs and capabilities, the availability of the facility (capability throughput), and the prioritized list provided by the Recipient. Once initial matches are made, the Voucher Provider and Voucher Recipient will be contacted by GIFT Voucher Program staff to ensure a proper match and begin developing project agreements. If a match is not successful, DOE-OE has discretion to proceed to another facility on the prioritized list or discontinue the application.

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What project agreements are needed?

The project agreements depend on the type of Voucher Provider on the project. The following table describes the possible avenues.

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How and when will the Voucher Providers be funded/invoiced?

All projects must complete the requisite milestones to receive funding. The method and timing of funding depend on the project agreement and Voucher Provider type. If the Voucher Provider is a National Laboratory, DOE-OE will disburse funding based on the conventional annual operating plan process. If the Provider is a federal lab, DOE-OE will disburse funding based on the Interagency Agreement Process.

If the Provider is a private or university lab with a research and development agreement with ENERGYWERX, the project will be funded on an invoice-basis. Each milestone must be completed and approved by DOE-OE prior to submitting an invoice. The projects will receive 25% of the project cost from each invoice, unless otherwise specified in the Business-to-Business agreement and approved by DOE-OE.

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Are there cost share requirements?

DOE and ENERGYWERX do not require direct cost share from Voucher Providers or Recipients. However, selected Recipients are expected to fund their own travel, arrangements, materials, shipping, personnel, and any other miscellaneous costs to ensure successful completion of the proposed project activities. No funding is distributed to Voucher Recipients through the VO. Voucher Providers, like National Labs, may have cost share requirements as a part of project agreements, which can include tracking of in-kind contributions. Voucher Recipients are expected to satisfy any requirements set within project agreements.

For additional questions, please contact info@energywerx.org