# DOE Offers $45M UNLOCK SBIR/STTR Funding

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) is offering an estimated $45 million through the UNLOCK SBIR/STTR funding opportunity for small businesses developing technologies to improve output, recovery, and capacity across subsurface resources. ARPA-E expects to make 12 awards of $323,090 to $4,630,944 each. Applications must be submitted through DOE eXCHANGE by November 20, 2026—12 days from the current date—and cost sharing is not required.

- Small businesses with relevant applied R&D capabilities can evaluate the opportunity against the UNLOCK funding scope and prepare an application for submission through DOE eXCHANGE before the deadline.
- The estimated program funding and expected award count indicate a competitive funding opportunity; prospective applicants should assess whether their proposed technology fits the stated subsurface-resource objectives.
- Applicants can direct questions not addressed in the FAQ to ARPA-E-CO@hq.doe.gov and DOE eXCHANGE technical assistance questions to ExchangeHelp@hq.doe.gov, including the NOFO name and number in the subject line.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Energy & Utilities
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** November 04, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
- Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E)

### Sources
- [DOE ARPA-E UNLOCK SBIR/STTR: $323,090-$4,630,944 per award ($45M total) for small businesses working on key subsurface resources.

Deadline: Nov 20, 2026. NOFO on DOE eXCHANGE.

Official listing: https://t.co/l58v1LLatH](https://x.com/redoy300fx/status/2117980932263096327) - twitter-small-business