INFUSE FY2025 Workshop: INFUSE Program Updates

Summary

This presentation provides updates on the Innovation Network for Fusion Energy (INFUSE) program for FY2025 presented by A. Lumsdaine and E. Gilson. It covers program background, historical award metrics, the FY2025 solicitation schedule, process workflows, key updates to eligibility and application requirements (such as SAM.gov ID, PIER plans, and IPMP grace periods), and reporting requirements.

Title Slide - INFUSE FY2025 Workshop

INFUSE: Innovation Network for Fusion Energy DOE SC FES Private/Public Partnership Program URL: https://infuse.ornl.gov Email: [email protected]

INFUSE FY2025 Workshop A. Lumsdaine & E. Gilson INFUSE Program Updates November 14, 2024

INFUSE Overview

The mission of INFUSE is to provide private-sector fusion companies access to the expertise and facilities of DOE’s national laboratories and (since FY2022) U.S. academic institutions to overcome critical scientific and technological hurdles in pursuing development of fusion energy.

AWARDS: • 106 projects funded since 2019 with a total value of $23.4M • Awards were made to 32 private companies partnering with 10 DOE labs and 12 U.S. Universities. • Detailed list: https://infuse.ornl.gov/awards-and-statistics/

PARTICIPATING LABORATORIES: INL, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, PPPL, Sandia National Laboratories, Savannah River National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Fermilab

TOPICAL AREAS:

Enabling Technologies (25%)
Materials Science (21%)
Plasma Diagnostics (9%)
Modeling and Simulation (37%)
Unique Fusion Experimental Capabilities (7%)
Paths to Commercialization (1%)

INFUSE Web Site

INFUSE Web Site https://infuse.ornl.gov/

Any issues? Email [email protected]

INFUSE Web Site – Subscribe http://eepurl.com/iBeZiM

Emails will come from [email protected]

INFUSE Web Site – Meetings

INFUSE Web Site – Meetings Meetings menu includes:

FY2025 Virtual Workshop
FY2024 Workshop
FY2024 Virtual Mini-Workshop
FY2023 Workshop
FY2022 Workshop
FY2021 Workshop

INFUSE Web Site – Submission

INFUSE Web Site – Submission • RFA Submission Access – Need to start here if submitting an application • RFA Submission Information – RFA call, documents and templates • Frequently Asked Questions – take a look! It has been updated and reorganized. It will continue to be updated as questions come up.

INFUSE Web Site – Library

INFUSE Web Site – Library • The Library has been organized better into coherent informational areas. • This includes National Lab Capabilities and University Contacts. • If a University faculty member would like to be added to this directory, there is a link at the bottom of the contacts page.

INFUSE Schedule

FY2025 Schedule: • Nov. 8, 2024: RFA posted • Nov. 14, 2024: Virtual workshop • Nov. 14, 2024: RFA submission opened • Jan. 17, 2025: RFA submissions closed (5:00pm EST) • June 2025: Award Announcement Expected • Sep. 1, 2025: Work Start Date

INFUSE Process

Preparation Phase: • Identify priority R&D • Identify partner institution • Agree upon work scope (Record of Discussion)

Application Phase: • Technical narrative • Budget and cost-share • Supporting Documents • Lab Only: CRADA certification (does not need to be executed for application) • University Only: Establish Intellectual Property Management Plan (IPMP) and IPMP certification

Award Phase: • Award notification • Lab Only: Lab submits Field Work Proposal (FWP) and receives funding • Lab Only: Establish standardized CRADA • University Only: University submits proposal to SC Open Notice • University Only: DOE awards funding via grant/cooperative agreement • Begin work

What is Changing for FY2025?

Eligibility – company must have SAM.gov Unique Identity ID
IPMP two-week grace period
Lab PI effort must be 15% of scope (reduced from 25%)
Four application maximum per company (down from five)
Appendix 1 – One 3-page PIER plan, primarily lab / university
Appendix 4 – foreign affiliation information
Application organization ― Can include 3 resumes, limited to 2 pages, at end of Technical Narrative ― Four possible Appendices (only one mandatory) ― Resumes and Appendices do not count towards 10-page limit

Eligibility Requirements

• Eligible Applicants: Private companies incorporated in the United States (can be a foreign owned subsidiary – PI and all cost-share must come from US subsidiary). Must have SAM.gov Unique Identity ID at time of submission. • Eligible Partner Institutions: Any DOE national laboratory or institution of higher education with unique capability that is not available in the private sector. Partners must agree to work (record of discussion). • Award size: $100 K t o$ 500k with a 20% cost share requirement, 12 months in duration. Requests of higher amounts and up to 24 months will be considered for work deemed to be of critical value to the company. • Number of Allowable Applications: 4 per company per RFA call. • Company Certifications: (1) Cost-share certification; (2) IP Certification (CRADA or IP Management Plan); (3) Conflict of Interest certification (“button push” on submission site).

IPMP Two Week Grace Period

• Intellectual Property Management Plan (IPMP) ― The IPMP is required as a part of the submission package for university partners. ― This is an agreement between the company and the institute of higher education. ― INFUSE has no template for the plan or requirement on its format. • The IPMP must be submitted as a part of the application ― A two-week grace period will be allowed (to 1/31/2025). • The INFUSE “Library” page has a University Contacts Directory ― https://infuse.ornl.gov/infuse-contacts/ ― This will be updated as we continue to identify possible partners for relevant work. ― The University Fusion Association could be a resource in identifying universities that have faculty performing research in this area: https://sites.google.com/site/universityfusionassociation/home

Submission Requirements Changes

• Lab PI effort must be 15% of scope (reduced from 25%) ― Increase in award ceiling to $500k has made the required 25% PI effort challenging. ― Although this requirement is reduced, it must still be clear that the PI is substantially involved in the project. • Four application maximum per company (down from five) • Application organization ― Can include 3 resumes, limited to 2 pages, at end of Technical Narrative. ― These should be submitted as a part of the Technical Narrative PDF ― Four possible Appendices (only one mandatory). ― Resumes and Appendices do not count towards 10-page limit.

Appendices

Promoting Inclusive and Equitable Research (PIER) Plan - REQUIRED
Images and tables (if necessary) ― Maximum of 2 pages.
Project distinction from other DOE support ― Applicants with ongoing DOE funded projects may include information to explain how the proposed INFUSE project is distinct from other ongoing funded awards. Maximum 1 page.
US presence ― Companies with a foreign affiliation should describe the nature of the U.S. presence, including approximate number and type of employees (engineers, technicians, etc.), the location of lab or office space in the U.S. and the nature of the work undertaken there (e.g., research, development, design). The role of the PI in the U.S. company should also be indicated. Maximum 1 page.

PIER Plan Update

• Review of PIER Plan ― Appendix 1 of the application, 3 page max (not within 10 page limit). ― Go to https://science.osti.gov/grants/Applicant-and-Awardee-Resources/PIER-Plans/Information-about-PIER-Plans for more information. • Notes on the PIER Plan evaluation (change from FY2023 and FY2024) ― Because the work will take place at the partner institution (lab or university), the PIER plan should describe activities at the lab or university. ― However, the PIER plan should also include a short section on proposed engagement or interaction with the company partner which may include joint activities that involve both the company and the partner institution. ― New merit review question: Does the proposed PIER Plan include any activity that involves both the company and the partner (lab or university)? ― It is acceptable to include items in the budget that will support the activities detailed in the PIER plan in keeping with the cost principles in 2 CFR 200.

Submission Tips

A few tips on proposal submission: • You will need to go through the vetting process to get access to the submission site. This process can take several days and so should be started as soon as possible. • Make sure to give sufficient detail outlining the cost share split between private / national lab partners. • Also see “Tips on writing a successful proposal” document under “RFA Submission Information and Templates” on submission page (http://infuse.ornl.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/INFUSEhints.pdf) or the “Frequently Asked Questions” page under the “Submission” tab.

Submission Process – Vetting Process for Guest Access

URL: https://infuse.ornl.gov/rfa-announcement-and-submission/ • You may begin the process now. • This is the first step of the “vetting” process to gain access to the RFA application site.

INFUSE questions: [email protected] Arnie: [email protected] Erik: [email protected]

VETTING PROCESS DETAILS: To request guest access for submitting an RFA Application, visit https://infuse.ornl.gov/rfa-announcement-and-submission/ and fill out the form under “Access to Submission Site” at the bottom of the page. An automated process checks whether you have already been vetted and your email is in the system. If vetted in the last 6 months, you receive an invitation along with log-in instructions. (Reset MFA via [email protected] if hardware/software changed). If not vetted within 6 months, schedule an appointment via Microsoft Bookings for a Teams meeting identity check (requiring webcam, Driver’s license/Passport, and Google Chrome/Teams client). No images/data are recorded during identity verification.

Submission Notes

A few notes on proposal submission: • You may make any changes to your application while it is in “Draft”. • When you change to “Submit” and press save: ― You will be notified if any required fields are not completed. ― You will be sent a confirmation email including a PDF of your submission. • You can continue to modify your application until Jan. 17 at 5:00pm (EST) • The system times out after 30 minutes!

INFUSE Quarterly Reports

We will be asking for quarterly updates from both company and partner PIs. • One-page forms will request the following:

Status of CRADA
Progress towards project goals
Any issues or concerns?
Is cost share (company) and budget/schedule (partner) on track? • These are expected to be “short answer”. • We will start with FY2024 awardees. • Due dates in 2025: January 31, April 30, July 31, October 31.

What We Need From You - Final Reports and Summary Slides

• In order to communicate INFUSE success stories to stakeholders we are needing final reports and project summary slides. The slides should: ― Describe technical impact: • Artifacts generated (papers, patents, etc.) • Technical readiness demonstrated / matured • Risks mitigated ― Describe business impact: • Progress towards company objectives • Input into other funding opportunities • Risks mitigated

Case Study: Divertor Component Testing

Divertor Component Testing Topic Area: Experimental Capabilities Period of Performance: 3/2020 - 3/2021 Partner: Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Dr. Travis Gray) Company: Commonwealth Fusion Systems (Dr. Adam Kuang, Dr. Matthew Reinke)

Project Summary: Execute high heat flux testing of the base material being considered for SPARC at representative loads.

Fusion Impact: Qualified the use of tungsten heavy alloy (WHA) - 97% W, 2% Ni, 1% Fe by weight, for use in tokamaks under higher heat fluxes than previously assessed and documented failure mechanisms relative to pure tungsten.

Business/Market Impact: Potential cost savings to future devices as tungsten heavy alloy has significantly lower machining cost relative to pure tungsten. Material properties also enable larger components, thus reducing part count.

Conclusion / Questions

Questions? INFUSE: Innovation Network for Fusion Energy