ARPA-E anticipates that most awards will be for total project costs in the range of $2 million to $5 million. Some may be as low as $500,000 or as high as $10 million. In extremely exceptional cases, ARPA-E may choose to accept efforts up to $20 million. The applicant should propose a funding level that is appropriate to the work, not introducing additional risk by underfunding nor adding extraneous tasks or large management reserves that will drive up the R&D cost.
Multiple awards are anticipated. ARPA-E anticipates awarding agreements totaling up to $150 million. However, the amount of resources made available under this announcement will depend on the quality of the proposed R&D projects and other programmatic considerations.
In this statement from the FOA. $20 million is the maximum amount to be given.
Before deciding the cost sharing requirement is impracticable, the CO and PM will carefully consider if there are other factors that demonstrate the recipient’s commitment to the success of the project. Whether for R&D of an applied nature or conducted under a TIA, the Recipient’s cost-share must come from non-federal sources unless otherwise allowed by law. Although monetary cost share is preferred, in-kind cost share contributions will be considered.
This shows that they are at least willing to work with the researcher/s about the cost sharing.