Phase 1 for Round 2 of the HyTN Voucher Opportunity launched on March 12, 2026. Please see the announcement article for more information.

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Voucher Provider Informational Webinars: DOE will present and summarize the details of the HyTN Voucher Opportunity. Potential Voucher Providers can better understand the scope, scale, and intent of the Voucher Program and ask questions of the DOE staff.

• Register for the Informational Webinar on March 26, 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 the applicant.

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

Submission Window: March 12, 2026 – April 23 2026

Start the Voucher Opportunity 6 – HyTN Provider Application (Submissions are due no later than April 23, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET)

Phase 1 – Voucher Provider Capability Submissions Open (March 12, 2026 – April 23, 2026)

• ‍Informational Webinar(s): DOE will present and summarize the details of the HyTN Voucher Opportunity. Potential Voucher Providers are encouraged to attend so they can better understand the scope, scale, and intent of the Voucher Program and ask questions of the DOE staff.
  
  • March 26, 2026 from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET
  • April 15, 2026 from 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM ET
• DOE Selection (April 26, 2026 - June 7, 2026): 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 (Summer 2026): Hydropower 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 (Fall 2026): 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 five standardized milestones.  

Project Milestones

All projects will be required to complete the following five milestones, including:

• Milestone 1 – Memo submitted to the HyTN point of contact verifying that all requisite agreements (e.g., non-disclosure agreements, CRADA’s, site access paperwork) between the Voucher Provider and Voucher Recipients are completed. This document must be signed by both the Voucher Provider and Recipient.
• Milestone 2 – Test plan and Gantt chart documents submitted to and accepted by the HyTN point of contact, describing the scope and schedule for the planned testing activities.
• Milestone 3 – Testing progress update presentation submitted to the HyTN point of contact containing a status description of testing activities and any relevant images. A virtual meeting may also be requested by HyTN Program staff.
• Milestone 4 – Project Summary Report submitted to and accepted by the HyTN point of contact, containing a summary of the project objectives, methods, results, discussion, and attachments with relevant data.
• Milestone 5 – Completed questionnaire on hydropower testing gaps and standards submitted to the HyTN point of contact.

The Voucher Provider is responsible for the timely submission of all milestones to the HyTN point of contact, but the Provider and Recipient are expected to work collaboratively on project deliverables.

The schedule of milestones due dates will depend on the project and will be established in the relevant agreement between HyTN and the Voucher Provider. Milestones 1 and 2 must be completed before testing activities can begin. Milestone 3 should be completed approximately 50-75% through the project timeline, while testing is ongoing. Milestones 4 and 5 must be completed within one year after the start of the project, as such participants must complete project activities within one year of the agreement start date.

Submission Window: March 12, 2026 – April 23 2026

Start the Voucher Opportunity 6 – HyTN Provider Application (Submissions are due no later than April 23, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET)

Eligible performers (Voucher Provider sand 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, and Iran. This list is subject to change. DOE retains the prerogative to require additional information from the applicants to verify the applicant meets the eligibility requirements.

All Facilities and their proposed capabilities must be reviewed prior to admission into the HyTN Network. Applications to join the Network are reviewed by H2O subject matter experts according to the following criteria.

• Facilities must be part of the HyTN Network to be eligible to provide technical support to Voucher Recipients.
• Facilities are not admitted into the HyTN Network solely on the basis that other facilities within their organization are part of the Network. Organizations may apply as both a Voucher Provider and a Voucher Recipient, but may not apply for Voucher services from their own capability.

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 to join the Network.

• The proposed testing capabilities have direct relevance and benefit to cost-effective, scalable hydropower technologies.
• The proposed testing capabilities represent testing and/or computer modeling that can lead to clear advancements in technology readiness.
• The proposed facility is located in the U.S. and meets the eligibility criteria.
• The proposed facility is purpose-built for testing, has the appropriate permits to operate, and can complete the requisite NEPA review.
• The application is complete and indicates the necessary expertise, site access, equipment/software, 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 HyTN Program.

DOE retains the prerogative to require additional information from the applicants to verify that the applicant meets the eligibility criteria and selection criteria.

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 H2O’s discretion, applicants may be selected as an alternate to be awarded if funding becomes available. Awarding of the Voucher is dependent on successfully establishing an agreement between the matched Voucher Provider and the Voucher Recipient.

H2O may disqualify a Voucher Provider or Recipient application for any reason, including but not limited to if the applicant engages with the HyTN Program in a manner that, in the sole discretion of the H2O, is indecent, obscene, or lacking in professionalism. This includes, but is not limited to, the application itself, or emails to the facilities or HyTN Program staff.

What is considered a hydropower technology?

The Program targets hydropower technologies as defined by H2O’s hydropower Program (see glossary), which can include a variety of powertrain, environmental, electrical, electronic, hydraulic, structural, materials, and mechanical technologies that support the production of hydropower. These technologies can be applied to existing hydropower systems, non-powered dam retrofits, new stream-reach developments, conduit hydropower, and pumped storage hydropower. Technologies do not have to be directly related to power generation, but must be an integrated part of hydropower operations, such as fish and water passage devices. Technologies that apply only to hydrokinetic and marine energy applications are not within the intended scope of the HyTN Program as these technologies may be more applicable to the TEAMER program run by H2O’s Marine Energy Program. Hydropower projects (in scope) capture the potential energy of flowing water over an elevation or pressure drop (referred to as hydraulic head), whereas hydrokinetic projects (out of scope) capture the kinetic energy of flowing water without a significant hydraulic head.

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

The HyTN Program is directed by the Department of Energy’s Hydropower & Hydrokinetic Office (H2O) 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 the notice of funding opportunities (NOFOs), 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 HyTN 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 HyTN referred to as Voucher Opportunity-6?

In partnership with several DOE offices, ENERGYWERX has created a platform of Voucher Opportunities that support the commercialization of energy technologies and projects. The HyTN Voucher Opportunity is the sixth program to begin work with ENERGYWERX, so it is referred to as VO-6.

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How is matchmaking conducted?

In Phase 2, applicants are required to submit a prioritized list of pre-approved Capabilities within the Network that they would like to work with. The list of Capabilities will be available on the HyTN OpenEI 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 HyTN Program staff to ensure a proper match and begin developing project agreements. If a match is not successful, H2O 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.

*Voucher Provider applications from federal labs will not be accepted at this time.

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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 depends on the project agreement and Voucher Provider type. If the Voucher Provider is a National Laboratory, H2O will disburse funding based on the conventional annual operating plan 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 H2O prior to submitting an invoice. The projects will receive 20% of the project cost from each invoice, unless otherwise specified in the research and development agreement and approved by H2O.

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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