WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs (Office of Indian Energy) today announced a combined total of over $9 million in funding and prizes to support Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) in their efforts to advance clean energy projects and bolster food sovereignty initiatives on their campuses. These investments underscore DOE’s commitment to partnering with Native communities to promote energy independence and sustainability, as well as develop the next generation of Tribal clean energy leaders.
American-Made TCU Energy and Food Sovereignty Nexus Prize—$4.1 Million
The DOE Office of Indian Energy today launched the American-Made TCU Energy and Food Sovereignty Nexus Prize, a $4.1 million prize competition exclusively available to the 35 U.S.-based TCUs. As the Office of Indian Energy’s first-ever prize, this initiative encourages student-led teams to design and implement clean energy demonstration projects that support Tribal food sovereignty.
Examples of projects may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Greenhouses heated or cooled by geothermal (ground-source) energy
- Greenhouses powered by wind or solar
- Solar arrays that provide shade for crops or grazing livestock.
Phase 1 prize submissions are due Dec. 4, 2024, at 5 p.m. ET.
- Form your team and join the competition.
- Register for the informational webinar on Oct. 15 at 3 p.m. ET to learn more.
As teams progress through the competition’s three phases, they create project plans, complete permitting and prework, build their projects, and demonstrate their learnings. Up to 30 teams may win in Phase 1, with each receiving a $40,000 cash award and the first place TCU winner receiving a combined total of $250,000 through all three phases. All cash prizes will be distributed directly to TCUs.
“The TCU Energy and Food Sovereignty Nexus Prize will provide students with a hands-on opportunity to explore clean energy development, as well as share learnings across the Tribal community about energy and food sovereignty,” said Office of Indian Energy Director Wahleah Johns.
Tribal Colleges and Universities Planning For Clean Energy Transition—$5 Million
In addition to the prize competition, today DOE announced $5 million in funding to support TCUs in planning the transition of their campuses to clean energy. The funds will enable TCUs to develop plans for integrating clean, reliable, affordable, and local energy solutions on their campuses.
“TCUs play an integral role in cultivating Native American and Alaska Native leaders and creating the workforce of the future,” added Johns. “Through these investments, we are supporting TCUs as they transition to clean energy and lay a foundation for the next generation to shape the clean energy future of Indian Country.”
Applications for the $5 million funding opportunity are due by Dec. 18, 2024, at 5 p.m. ET.
- Download the Funding Opportunity Announcement to apply.
- The Office of Indian Energy will host an informational webinar on Oct. 17, 2024 at 3 p.m. ET to provide interested applicants with more details on the funding opportunity and how to apply.
About the DOE Office of Indian Energy
DOE funds a wide variety of clean energy projects to support Tribes in realizing their energy visions. From 2010 through 2024, DOE’s Office of Indian Energy has invested over $190 million in more than 240 Tribal energy projects implemented across the contiguous 48 states and in Alaska. These projects, valued collectively at over $300 million, are leveraged by more than $125 million in recipient cost-share. Find information about current funding opportunities and learn more on the DOE Office of Indian Energy website.
About American-Made Challenges
The American-Made Challenges program, funded by DOE and administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, has awarded over $260 million in cash prizes and support to competitors in more than 70 prizes.
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