FOA Number: DE-FOA-0002626 Harnessing Emissions into Structures Taking Inputs from the Atmosphere (HESTIA) (SBIR/STTR) | DE FOA 0002626

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - DE-FOA-0002626 (HESTIA) (SBIR/STTR)

What is the full funding opportunity announcement (FOA) number and title?

The FOA is DE-FOA-0002626, titled "Harnessing Emissions into Structures Taking Inputs from the Atmosphere (HESTIA) (SBIR/STTR)."

Which agency is offering this opportunity?

This is an ARPA-E funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

What is the main goal of the HESTIA program?

HESTIA aims to push building construction toward a new standard where structures do not just reduce carbon, but actually store more carbon than they emit across their life cycle. The program seeks building materials and whole-building design approaches that are net carbon negative on a life cycle basis.

What does "net carbon negative on a life cycle basis" mean in this FOA?

It means the finished building elements lock away more carbon in their chemical structure than is released during manufacturing, construction, and use, based on life cycle accounting.

Is HESTIA focused on operational emissions or embodied emissions?

HESTIA is framed around embodied greenhouse gas emissions, meaning emissions tied to making and installing building materials (as opposed to operational emissions from heating, cooling, and electricity use).

What kinds of carbon inputs are of interest to HESTIA?

HESTIA is explicitly interested in approaches that use atmospheric-origin carbon inputs, including CO2 or methane (CH4), sourced through a variety of feedstocks and pathways.

What examples of eligible feedstocks or pathways are mentioned?

Examples called out include forestry and purpose-grown products, agricultural residues, marine-derived feedstocks, and direct carbon utilization routes.

Is the FOA only looking for bio-based materials?

No. The emphasis is not simply on using bio-based inputs, but on demonstrating credible net carbon storage performance while still meeting real-world construction needs.

What types of construction outputs is ARPA-E looking for?

The solicitation is looking for technologies that can be turned into building components such as structural elements and/or enclosure elements.

Do proposed technologies need to compete with existing construction products?

Yes. The FOA states that solutions should be able to compete with incumbent, best-in-class options on performance and market fit.

What are the key evaluation metrics ARPA-E highlights for HESTIA?

ARPA-E highlights four major evaluation themes: (1) net carbon storage across the life cycle, (2) relevant performance testing for building adoption (for example strength and flammability testing aligned with codes and incumbent specifications), (3) a market advantage over the conventional building element being replaced (better performance in at least one meaningful category, lower cost, or easier installation), and (4) durable carbon storage over the service life while minimizing end-of-life emissions, including designs that support reuse, repurposing, and/or recycling.

What does ARPA-E mean by "net carbon storage" for HESTIA projects?

The FOA describes net carbon storage as storing more carbon in the final product than the emissions generated throughout manufacture, construction, and use.

What kinds of testing are referenced as important for adoption?

The FOA mentions performance testing needed for building adoption, including strength and flammability testing, aligned with applicable building codes and incumbent specifications.

How can a project demonstrate a market advantage under this FOA?

The FOA indicates a market advantage could include better performance in at least one meaningful category, lower cost, or easier installation relative to the conventional building element the project seeks to replace.

Why does the FOA emphasize durability and end-of-life considerations?

The program emphasizes durable carbon storage over the material service life and minimizing end-of-life emissions so that stored carbon is not simply released later. It highlights designing materials and systems for reuse, repurposing, and/or recycling.

Is ARPA-E looking for incremental improvements or transformational approaches?

ARPA-E positions HESTIA as applied research and development with transformational intent and notes it is not primarily funding incremental improvements along established technology roadmaps.

What broader market disruption is HESTIA trying to enable?

HESTIA targets a construction ecosystem where carbon-negative materials and designs can be manufactured at competitive cost and deployed at scale, shifting buildings from a major source of embodied emissions to a durable carbon sink.

How important is life cycle assessment (LCA) to this FOA?

Consistent, transparent life cycle assessment is a notable feature of the solicitation. The FOA references LCA requirements and indicates ARPA-E planned a separate solicitation to develop and perform LCAs in coordination with and in support of applicants under this FOA.

Why does ARPA-E mention a separate LCA solicitation?

The stated purpose is to standardize how carbon negativity claims are quantified and compared, and to keep evaluations grounded in credible, apples-to-apples life cycle accounting rather than narrow or inconsistent boundary choices.

Who is eligible to apply?

The eligible applicant pool is small businesses under the SBIR/STTR framework.

What types of funding instruments may be used for awards?

The FOA lists cooperative agreements, grants, and other assistance mechanisms as possible instrument types.

What federal assistance rules are referenced?

The FOA notes it is subject to 2 C.F.R. Part 200 as supplemented by 2 C.F.R. Part 910.

What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?

The posted opportunity information lists an award ceiling of $3,721,115.

How many awards does ARPA-E expect to make?

The FOA indicates an expectation of about 15 awards.

When was the FOA created and when were submissions due?

The FOA creation date is listed as November 8, 2021. Submissions were due by 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time on December 20, 2021, and applicants were encouraged to submit at least 48 hours before the deadline.

How do applicants submit to HESTIA?

Applicants must register and submit through the ARPA-E eXCHANGE portal.

Will concept papers submitted outside the ARPA-E eXCHANGE portal be reviewed?

No. The FOA states that concept papers submitted through other means would not be reviewed or considered.

Where should technical and process questions be directed?

The FOA directs technical and process questions to ARPA-E resources such as the agency FAQ page and the email contact ARPA-E-CO@hq.doe.gov.

Where should applicants report technical issues with the ARPA-E eXCHANGE system?

Technical issues with the eXCHANGE system should be routed to ExchangeHelp@hq.doe.gov, with the FOA name and number included in the subject line.

What is the overall concept behind embedding carbon removal into construction?

HESTIA is aimed at turning carbon removal from a separate industrial activity into something embedded in everyday infrastructure by enabling building materials and designs that store carbon, meet code-driven performance requirements, and have a realistic path to cost-competitive adoption in the construction market.