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Eligible: Businesses, Education, Local Government, Nonprofits, State Agencies, Tribes, Utilities

Apply by May 20, 2026

Active

$1 - $250,000,000

SPARK: Speed to Power Through Accelerated Reconductoring and Other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades

From US Department of Energy

SPARK is an opportunity to meet load demand growth and resource adequacy, addressing critical national, interregional, and regional needs by stimulating investment in power system infrastructure. The program builds partnerships among states, local governments, tribes, and power system operators to enhance reliability and affordability. Projects must demonstrate improvements in electric grid capacity and system value, often through reconductoring or infrastructure upgrades, and show how complementary technologies expand transfer capability, strengthen reliability and resource adequacy, and reduce cost impact while using existing rights of way. Priority is given to projects providing quick, durable upgrades and operational gains to increase electric grid resilience and reliability.

  • Overview

    • Type

      Cooperative Agreement

    • Title

      SPARK: Speed to Power Through Accelerated Reconductoring and Other Key Advanced Transmission Technology Upgrades

    • Source

      US Department of Energy

    • Federal or State

      Federal

    • Total Amount

      $1,900,000,000

    • Number of Awards

      5-10

    • Award Range

      $1 - $250,000,000

    • Cost Share

      Yes

    • Status

      Active

  • Topics

    Climate
    Energy Efficiency
    Resilience

  • Eligibility

    • Audience

      Businesses, Education, Local Government, Nonprofits, State Agencies, Tribes, Utilities

    • Sector

      Climate, Energy Efficiency, Resilience

    • Activity

      Energy Efficiency Improvements

    • Eligibility

      Eligible Entities

      Grid Resilience

      • Electric grid operators
      • Electricity storage operators
      • Electricity generators
      • Transmission owners or operators
      • Distribution providers
      • Fuel suppliers

      Smart Grid

      • Institutions of higher education
      • For-profit organizations
      • Non-profit organizations
      • State and local government entities
      • Indian tribes

      Grid Innovation Program

      • States
      • A combination of two or more states
      • Indian tribes
      • Units of local government
      • Public utility commissions

      Eligible Activities

      • Grid Resilience: Projects that strengthen grid reliability and resilience through reconductoring and deploying other Advanced Transmission Technologies. These projects must expand the ability to transfer power of existing transmission or sub-transmission, improve system flexibility, and reduce likelihood and consequences of disruptive events.
      • Smart Grid: Projects focused on deploying advanced grid technologies to enhance efficiency, reliability, and operational flexibility through smart grid technologies.
      • Grid Innovation: Projects that enhance grid reliability and resilience, with a focus on transmission systems that facilitate development of new large loads.

    • Location

      National

  • Application Process

    • Pre-Application?

      Yes

    • Requirements

      Concept Paper Required by April 2, 2026

      Applicants must submit a concept paper by 2pm (Pacific) April 2, 2026 via the department’s eXCHANGE portal to be eligible to submit a full application. Applicants who do not submit a concept paper cannot submit an application.

      An entity may submit only one concept paper and one associated application for each topic area of the SPARK program. Each concept paper (not to exceed 6 pages) must be limited to a single concept, technology, or project.

    • Disbursement Method

      Unspecified

  • Important Dates

    • Application Open Date

      Mar 10, 2026

    • Application Close Date

      May 20, 2026

    • Application Close Time

      12:00 AM PST

    • Period of Performance Start

      Oct 1, 2026

    • Period of Performance End

      Jan 31, 2031

    • Publish Date

      Mar 10, 2026

  • Resources & Contacts

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