Unlocking New Levels of Output and Capacity for Key Subsurface Resources (UNLOCK)

The ARPA‑E “UNLOCK” Funding Opportunity seeks innovative, high‑risk R&D projects that dramatically improve extraction, stimulation, and recovery of low‑permeability subsurface resources—including unconventional oil & gas, geothermal, mineral leaching, and coal‑bed methane. Applicants must propose transformative technologies that create new learning curves, enhance fracture conductivity, improve water‑management, and enable cross‑cutting advances across multiple resource sectors. Up to 12 cooperative‑agreement awards will be made, each ranging from $3 M to $5 M, with a total anticipated funding envelope of $45 M. The program emphasizes proof‑of‑concept, rapid‑timeline demonstrations, and clear pathways to market disruption. • Target technologies: advanced proppants, fracture‑control methods, enhanced‑recovery fluids, sensing & monitoring tools, high‑temperature materials, water‑recycling systems. • Eligible applicants: unrestricted U.S. entities (industry, academia, labs, consortia) with cost‑sharing capability. • Funding mechanism: Cooperative Agreement (DOE ARPA‑E). • Submission via DOE eXCHANGE; deadline 20 Nov 2026. • Expected project length: typically 2‑3 years of research, development, and field‑scale testing. • Required deliverables: technical reports, milestones, data‑management plan, commercialization plan, and public‑release summary.