The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) DE-FOA-0003536 from the Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E) seeks to facilitate the growth of a sustainable U.S. offshore seaweed biomass industry through the Harnessing Autonomy for Energy Joint Ventures Offshore (HAEJO) program. This initiative aims to reduce the costs of seaweed cultivation by four times while enabling the establishment of energy-centric markets, specifically targeting biostimulants for agricultural use. The program is structured around three core objectives: developing real-time sensors for monitoring offshore farms, engineering solutions for nutrient cycling and efficient harvesting, and discovering mechanisms for biostimulants to enhance crop yield. Total funding available is approximately $25 million, with anticipated awards ranging from $250,000 to $10 million. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based organizations and collaborations, especially involving Korean partners with experience in seaweed cultivation. The program plans to fund technologies capable of demonstrating significant reductions in costs and scalable approaches for offshore cultivation, ultimately enhancing U.S. energy independence and market competitiveness in the marine biomass sector. Key dates include the concept paper submission deadline on February 13, 2025, and full applications due later in 2025.