The Seeding Critical Advances for Leading Energy technologies with Untapped Potential (SCALEUP) program builds on ARPA-E’s primary research and development focus to support the scaling of high-risk and potentially disruptive new technologies across the full spectrum of energy applications.

The goal of the program is to help ARPA-E-funded technologies, past and present, transition from proof-of-concept prototypes to commercially scalable and deployable versions of the technology and be well-positioned for investment from the private sector.

Small business, company, and industry participation is fundamental to the success of the SCALEUP program. SCALEUP teams must propose at least one Commercialization Partner, preferably one that represents the viewpoint and needs of the target customer, to help ensure market adoption for the technology after the completion of the SCALEUP project.

To be eligible for SCALEUP funds, teams must own/control subject invention(s) or software arising from ARPA-E award(s).


ARPA-E’s Acting Associate Director for Technology to Market Dr. Danny Cunningham discuss ARPA-E’s SCALEUP program with former Associate Director for Technology to Market Dr. James Zahler in an episode of Energy Briefs, ARPA-E’s digital video series.


Below is information on ARPA-E’s SCALEUP portfolio of programs.

SCALEUP 2021 SCALEUP 2021

ARPA-E launched its SCALEUP 2021 program in December 2021. SCALEUP 2021 is ARPA-E’s second scaling and pre-pilot focused program. ARPA-E has made up to $100 million available to support novel technologies with real commercial impact.

SCALEUP 2019 SCALEUP 2019

ARPA-E announced its SCALEUP 2019 selectees in early 2021 with a budget of approximately $75 million. The types of projects in this SCALEUP cohort address methane emissions detection, electrical energy storage, energy efficiency technologies, and grid modernization.