Website: [arpa-e.energy.gov](https://arpa-e.energy.gov) ### Introduction The Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) was established in 2009 as a part of the United States Department of Energy (DOE) through the America COMPETES Act. It was inspired by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and conceived following a report by the National Academies titled *Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing America for a Brighter Economic Future*. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., ARPA-E operates under the DOE with a mission to fund high-risk, high-reward research and development of advanced energy technologies that can transform the energy landscape. The agency aims to enhance U.S. economic prosperity, national security, and environmental well-being by accelerating innovation in energy systems that are often too early-stage for private-sector investment. Specific employee counts for ARPA-E are not publicly detailed in recent sources, but the agency is known for a lean structure with program directors serving limited terms to minimize bureaucracy and bias [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARPA-E). As a government entity, ARPA-E is not a public or private company and thus has no ticker symbol or market status. Its funding comes from [[Federal|federal]] budgets, and it operates as a catalyst for innovation by providing grants and support to universities, national labs, startups, and companies working on disruptive energy solutions. Since its inception, ARPA-E has played a pivotal role in bridging the gap between basic research and commercial deployment in the energy sector [DOE.gov](https://www.energy.gov/advanced-research-projects-agency-energy-arpa-e). ### Key Products and Technology ARPA-E does not develop products or technologies itself but funds a wide array of projects across various energy domains. Below are examples of key technology areas and programs it supports, based on recent information: - **INTERMODAL (INcreasing Transportation Efficiency and Resiliency through MODeling Assets and Logistics)** - **Type**: Exploratory Topic for low-carbon intermodal freight transportation systems. - **Technical Specifications**: Focuses on minimizing greenhouse gas emissions and maximizing freight resiliency across maritime, rail, and road transportation; specific metrics not disclosed. - **Energy Source**: Not applicable; focuses on system optimization rather than direct energy production. - **Key Differentiators**: Aims to support energy infrastructure deployment for goods movement with a holistic, low-carbon approach. - **Development Stage**: Early-stage funding announced on February 8, 2023, for up to $10 million; projects in ideation and R&D phases. - **Target Customers**: Government agencies, logistics companies, and transportation infrastructure operators in the U.S. [ARPA-E FY 2023 Annual Report](https://arpa-e.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2025-09/ARPA-E%20FY%202023%20Annual%20Report.pdf). - **ROCKS (Resource Optimization and Characterization for Key Subsurface Materials)** - **Type**: Program to improve characterization of critical mineral resources, especially rare earth elements (REEs). - **Technical Specifications**: Targets advancements in drilling technology, sensing, and analysis for higher-resolution mineralogical data; specifics vary by funded project. - **Energy Source**: Not applicable; focuses on resource extraction for energy-relevant materials. - **Key Differentiators**: Emphasizes technologies for hard rock, REE-enriched clays, placer deposits, and seafloor resources to secure U.S. energy supply chains. - **Development Stage**: Funding opportunity announced with updates as of October 30, 2025; projects in early R&D. - **Target Customers**: Mining industries, energy technology manufacturers, and government bodies focused on energy security [ARPA-E eXCHANGE](https://arpa-e-foa.energy.gov/). - **CHADWICK (Fusion Energy Program)** - **Type**: Program supporting fusion energy research. - **Technical Specifications**: Varies by project; focuses on transformative approaches to fusion power generation. - **Energy Source**: Nuclear fusion. - **Key Differentiators**: Funds novel concepts to achieve practical, cost-effective fusion energy. - **Development Stage**: Ongoing funding with 69 projects across universities, labs, and companies as of 2025; still in R&D with no commercial deployment. - **Target Customers**: Future utilities, government energy programs, and industrial sectors seeking clean baseload power [ARPA-E on X](https://x.com/ARPAE/status/2003191944407843087). ### Regulatory and Licensing Status As a funding agency, ARPA-E itself is not subject to regulatory licensing like the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) processes for nuclear technologies. Instead, it supports projects that may require regulatory approval depending on their nature (e.g., fusion or advanced nuclear projects). ARPA-E operates under DOE oversight and congressional appropriations, with its activities guided by statutory goals to enhance energy security and technological leadership. There are no specific regulatory milestones for ARPA-E as an entity, but it plays a role in helping funded projects navigate early-stage challenges, including regulatory frameworks, by providing technical and financial support. Timelines for commercial deployment of ARPA-E-funded technologies vary widely by project, with many still in pre-commercial stages as of 2025 [DOE.gov](https://www.energy.gov/advanced-research-projects-agency-energy-arpa-e). ### Team and Leadership ARPA-E is led by a director appointed by the DOE, with program directors overseeing specific technology areas. Key leadership includes: - **Evelyn Wang, Director**: Appointed in January 2023, Dr. Wang is a mechanical engineer and professor with expertise in thermal management and energy systems. She previously served as head of the Mechanical Engineering Department at MIT. Her leadership focuses on accelerating energy innovation through strategic funding [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARPA-E). - **Program Directors (Various)**: Individuals like Dr. Robert M., Dr. Johan Enslin, Dr. James Seaba, and Dr. William Horak have been highlighted in recent communications for leading specific initiatives such as subsea geothermal and nuclear microreactor research. Detailed bios are not publicly aggregated but are noted in event announcements [ARPA-E on X](https://x.com/ARPAE/status/2003491649759117394). Specific X handles for individuals are not verified in available data and thus omitted. ### Funding and Financial Position ARPA-E’s funding is derived from federal appropriations rather than private investment rounds. As of recent reports: - **Total Funding**: ARPA-E has awarded over $2.4 billion across more than 1,000 projects since its inception, though exact 2025 figures are not fully updated in public sources. - **Recent Allocations**: In 2023, ARPA-E announced specific funding rounds such as $10 million for INTERMODAL and $10 million for CREATE (Creating Revolutionary Energy And Technology Endeavors) as exploratory topics. The FY 2023 budget and subsequent allocations are managed through DOE budgets, with ongoing commitments noted into 2025. - **Revenue Status**: As a government agency, ARPA-E does not generate revenue but disburses funds to advance energy technologies. Its financial position is tied to congressional budgets and DOE priorities [ARPA-E FY 2023 Annual Report](https://arpa-e.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2025-09/ARPA-E%20FY%202023%20Annual%20Report.pdf). ### Recent News and Developments | Date | Event | Details | |----------------|------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Dec 23, 2025 | Fast Pitch Series Announcement | ARPA-E highlighted a 2025 Fast Pitch series on technologies like subsea geothermal and nuclear microreactors for #ARPAE2026 [ARPA-E on X](https://x.com/ARPAE/status/2003491649759117394). | | Dec 22, 2025 | CHADWICK Program Feature | ARPA-E’s fusion energy program featured in Advanced Materials & Processes Magazine; 69 projects funded to date [ARPA-E on X](https://x.com/ARPAE/status/2003191944407843087). | | Oct 30, 2025 | ROCKS Program Update | Funding opportunity notice updated for critical mineral characterization technologies [ARPA-E eXCHANGE](https://arpa-e-foa.energy.gov/). | | Sep 8, 2025 | FY 2023 Annual Report Released | Report to Congress detailed past funding initiatives like INTERMODAL and CREATE [ARPA-E FY 2023 Annual Report](https://arpa-e.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2025-09/ARPA-E%20FY%202023%20Annual%20Report.pdf). | | Mar 7, 2025 | News & Insights Update | General updates on ARPA-E activities and events posted on the official site [ARPA-E News](https://arpa-e.energy.gov/news-and-events/news-and-insights). | Note: Some 2025 events beyond these dates may not be fully captured due to the timing of this report (Dec 24, 2025). ### Partnerships and Collaborations - **Universities, National Labs, and Companies**: ARPA-E collaborates with 34 universities, 14 national labs, and 27 companies specifically in fusion energy under the CHADWICK program, fostering innovation ecosystems for clean energy. - **Government Programs**: Works closely with DOE and other federal entities to align funded projects with national energy goals, such as energy security and critical mineral supply chains. - **Private Sector Engagement**: Supports startups and established firms through funding, as seen in programs like ROCKS and INTERMODAL, to bridge technology gaps and encourage commercialization [ARPA-E FY 2023 Annual Report](https://arpa-e.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2025-09/ARPA-E%20FY%202023%20Annual%20Report.pdf). ### New Hampshire Relevance ARPA-E’s broad focus on energy innovation has potential relevance for [[New Hampshire]] (NH), particularly in advancing clean energy solutions that could integrate with existing infrastructure like [[Seabrook Station]] (NH’s only nuclear power plant) and the ISO-NE grid. Technologies funded by ARPA-E, such as nuclear microreactors or fusion concepts, could align with NH’s interest in low-carbon baseload power for grid stability and data center loads in the region. NH legislative initiatives like HB 710, which explore advanced nuclear options and SMRs, could benefit from ARPA-E-funded R&D outputs, though most projects are not yet at deployment readiness for NH’s timeline. Potential applications include grid power augmentation, industrial heat for manufacturing, and powering data centers, which are growing in the Northeast. There is no direct evidence of ARPA-E projects targeting NH specifically as of 2025, but the agency’s focus on Northeast-relevant challenges (e.g., cold climate energy efficiency) and critical mineral supply chains could indirectly support regional goals. NH stakeholders could explore ARPA-E funding opportunities for local energy innovation [DOE.gov](https://www.energy.gov/advanced-research-projects-agency-energy-arpa-e). ### Competitive Position ARPA-E operates in a unique space as a government funding agency rather than a direct competitor to private entities. However, its role can be compared to other innovation catalysts: - **DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency)**: While DARPA focuses on defense technologies, ARPA-E is energy-specific, targeting civilian applications with a narrower but equally transformative scope. - **Private Venture Capital Firms**: Unlike VC firms, ARPA-E funds very early-stage, high-risk projects without expecting financial returns, giving it an edge in supporting concepts too speculative for private investment. - **International Energy R&D Programs (e.g., EU’s Horizon Europe)**: ARPA-E’s focus on U.S.-centric energy security and supply chains differentiates it, though it risks falling behind if global competitors accelerate deployment of similar technologies. ARPA-E’s advantage lies in its ability to de-risk innovation for eventual private adoption, though it faces challenges in ensuring funded projects reach commercial scale. ### Closing Note ARPA-E remains a critical driver of early-stage energy innovation in the U.S., with a promising trajectory to influence future clean energy landscapes through sustained federal support and strategic funding. *Report generated December 24, 2025*