Unlocking New Levels of Output and Capacity for Key Subsurface Resources (UNLOCK) 2026 Grant

DOE-ARPAE

About this grant

UNLOCK (DE-FOA-0003630) is an ARPA-E funding opportunity, offered as a cooperative agreement, that targets technical barriers to extracting subsurface resources from low-permeability, geologically complex formations. The program addresses low recovery factors and steep production decline in shale and tight oil and gas, where most of the resource remains trapped underground. It also cites well interference from infill drilling, proppant and fracture-conductivity limits, weak control over fracture propagation, and the difficulty of refracturing existing wells. The NOFO also covers subsurface resources beyond oil and gas. These include enhanced geothermal systems in hot dry rock and basement formations, where conductive fractures are hard to sustain and thermal short-circuiting occurs. They also include in-situ leaching of minerals and metals, where lixiviant contact is poor and containment monitoring is inadequate, and coalbed methane, which requires heavy dewatering and stimulation. Water management is a cross-cutting concern, including the volume of water used for fracturing, produced-water disposal, and wastewater from uranium recovery. ARPA-E describes the program as funding transformative, applied research and experimental development with disruptive potential. Projects are expected to start with cost/performance estimates well above incumbent technologies and to address high technical risk with aggressive timetables. Activities supported include proof-of-concept R&D and demonstrations of technologies that could create new learning curves. The NOFO also points to crosscutting technologies for stimulation, recovery efficiency, flow-pathway expansion, far-field sensing, and water management across diverse subsurface systems. The NOFO estimates about $45 million in total program funding and expects around 12 awards. Award floor is $3 million and ceiling is $5 million. Cost sharing or matching is required, though the percentage is not stated on this page. Applications must be submitted through DOE eXCHANGE, and ARPA-E will not accept materials submitted by other means.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants are unrestricted, meaning any type of entity may apply, subject to the NOFO's Section II.A, which this page refers to but does not reproduce. Applicants must register with and submit through DOE eXCHANGE. Applications must include cost sharing or matching, the required percentage of which is not given on this page. Applicants seeking basic research funding are directed to DOE's Office of Science instead.

Key requirements

• ✓Cost sharing or matching is required (percentage not stated on this page)
• ✓Projects must target high technical risk with cost/performance estimates well above incumbent technologies
• ✓Award range roughly $3M floor to $5M ceiling, with about 12 awards from a roughly $45M total program budget

Funder contact

The notice names a programme contact you can speak to before applying.

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does DOE-ARPAE offer?

Unlocking New Levels of Output and Capacity for Key Subsurface Resources (UNLOCK) offers $3M – $5M.

When is the Unlocking New Levels of Output and Capacity for Key Subsurface Resources (UNLOCK) deadline?

Applications close 20 Nov 2026.

Who can apply for Unlocking New Levels of Output and Capacity for Key Subsurface Resources (UNLOCK)?

Eligibility covers organisations in US; university, research-institution, startup, sme, large-company, nonprofit, consortium. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Renewable energy funding covers solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal and bioenergy, from early research to grid-scale deployment. Public money tends to back demonstration, grid connection and access to energy in emerging markets, while procurement notices buy installation, operation and maintenance. Calls often ask for proof of resource assessment, permitting progress and local partners.