US research program opens applications for 16th call for marine energy developers

The U.S. Testing Expertise and Access for Marine Energy Research (TEAMER) program has opened applications for its 16th request for technical support (RFTS), inviting marine energy developers to submit proposals by June 6, 2025.

TEAMER provides access to testing facilities and technical expertise to support marine energy projects. Applications are reviewed according to a set schedule, and all support activities occur within a nine-month access period.

According to TEAMER, RFTS 16 will run from October 2025 to July 2026, while RFTS 17, set to open later this year, will cover February 2026 to November 2026.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and managed by the Pacific Ocean Energy Trust, the TEAMER program was created to accelerate the commercialization of marine renewables. 

“TEAMER Requests for Technical Support are a collaboration between the technology developer or researcher, and the facility chosen to help meet the recipient’s technical objectives,” TEAMER stated.

“Prior to applying for support, recipients are required to have discussed their technical objectives with the facility to ensure the facility has the capability to assist and provide the necessary support. Only approved test facilities are eligible to provide technical support.” 

The latest call follows an RFTS 15 application round. TEAMER has acknowledged the efforts of applicants and facility partners and is now enlisting experts to assist in reviewing submissions.

“This takes some time to do properly, but rest assured we are hard at work and will get back to you with responses and feedback as soon as we can,” TEAMER added.

In January, the TEAMER program approved 15 marine energy projects and allocated nearly $1.9 million through its fourteenth RFTS.

In June, the U.S.-based program also added the Bourne Tidal Test Site (BTTS) as its newest open-water testing facility. 

Operated by the Marine Renewable Energy Collaborative of New England, the site is located in the seven-meter deep waters of the Cape Cod Canal in Massachusetts, which experiences flows exceeding 1.5 meters per second. The grid-connected platform allows open-water testing of prototype tidal devices up to three meters.