CFAs: Annual Recurring University Training and Research Program (United States)

Deadline: 16-Oct-2026

The Annual Recurring University Training and Research (UTR) Program is inviting applications from U.S. institutions of higher education for innovative research and workforce training projects focused on subsurface energy production. The program is the flagship initiative of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office and supports research capacity and workforce development in coal, oil, natural gas, and geothermal energy. Awards of up to $750,000 per project are available for projects with an anticipated duration of 36 months.

About the Annual Recurring University Training and Research Program

The Annual Recurring University Training and Research Program is designed to strengthen research and workforce development at U.S. colleges and universities in subsurface energy fields.

The program aims to:

- Build university research capacity. - Support innovative energy research. - Introduce students to a broad range of research topics. - Develop workforce skills relevant to the evolving energy sector. - Prepare students for careers in energy-related fields. - Connect academic research with practical industry experience. The program combines research and development with direct student participation, allowing students to gain practical experience while contributing to early-stage research. What Research Areas Are Supported? Projects must focus on innovative research and training related to subsurface energy production and align with one or more of the program’s priority areas. Coal

Research may address areas such as:

- Coal mining. - Coal processing. - Advanced carbon capture. Oil and Gas

Research may focus on:

- Digital oilfields. - Artificial intelligence and machine learning applications. - Resource optimization. - Other innovative research related to oil and gas production. Geothermal

Research areas may include:

- Advanced drilling. - Reservoir engineering. - Critical mineral extraction. - Other innovative approaches to geothermal energy production. Applicants should clearly demonstrate how their proposed research aligns with at least one of these priority areas. How Much Funding Is Available? The program offers awards of up to $750,000 per project.

Funding details include:

- Maximum award: $750,000 per project.

- Total program funding: Up to $10,750,000 for the first submission period.

- Project duration: 36 months.

- Cost sharing: No cost sharing is required.

Applicants should develop their project budgets according to the requirements of the funding opportunity. Who Can Apply? Eligible applicants are U.S. institutions of higher education.

Eligible institutions include:

- Public universities and colleges. - Private institutions of higher education. - Minority-serving institutions. The program is designed specifically for university-led research and workforce training projects. Domestic Partner Requirement Each project must include at least one non-academic domestic partner. A letter of commitment from at least one non-academic domestic partner is mandatory for eligibility.

The partnership is intended to:

- Strengthen the practical relevance of the research. - Provide students with practical work experience. - Support student mentorship. - Encourage collaboration between universities and partner organizations. - Facilitate technology transfer. - Improve student career readiness. Applicants should establish a meaningful relationship with their partner and clearly describe the partner’s role in the proposed project. Research and Development Requirements The program seeks early-stage, high-impact research with potential for technology market impact. Proposed projects should demonstrate the potential for technology market impact within 5–10 years after project completion. Research should be sufficiently innovative to address important challenges in subsurface energy production while also providing opportunities for students to participate directly in the R&D process. Student Training and Workforce Development Student participation is a central component of the UTR Program. Projects are expected to integrate students directly into the research and development process rather than treating training as a separate activity.

Projects should help students:

- Develop practical technical skills. - Gain experience in energy-related R&D. - Address critical workforce skill gaps. - Work with non-academic partners. - Receive practical mentorship. - Understand technology development and transfer. - Improve their career readiness. This combination of research and workforce training is intended to prepare students for careers in the evolving energy sector. Industry Collaboration and Technology Transfer The required non-academic domestic partnership helps connect university research with practical applications. Applicants should foster strong collaboration with their partnering organization throughout the project. The partnership is expected to contribute to: - Research relevance. - Practical student experience. - Mentorship. - Technology transfer. - Career preparation. Projects should explain how collaboration with the partner will support both the research objectives and workforce development goals. Geographic Requirements All work under the program must be performed in the United States, unless a waiver is approved. Applicants should ensure that their proposed activities comply with this requirement. How to Prepare a Strong Application Applicants should present a clear research and workforce development plan that connects the proposed R&D activities with student training and the needs of the subsurface energy sector.

A strong proposal should clearly explain:

- The research problem being addressed. - The proposed innovative approach. - The relevant priority area. - The expected research and technology outcomes. - How students will participate directly in the R&D process. - The workforce skill gaps being addressed. - The role of the non-academic domestic partne