Office of Indian Energy Updates
DOE to Announce $25 Million Tribal Energy Funding Opportunity This Spring
Planned FOA Will Solicit Applications to Deploy Clean Energy Technology on Tribal Lands
 On Jan. 17, the Office of Indian Energy issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) to release a $25 million Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) this spring to support clean energy technology deployment on Tribal lands.
Through this planned FOA, the Office of Indian Energy intends to solicit applications from Indian Tribes, which include Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Village Corporations, Intertribal Organizations, and Tribal Energy Development Organizations to install clean energy technology on Tribal lands.
A Note on TCU Eligibility: TCUs are not independently eligible unless a subsidiary/instrumentality of the Tribe and obtain Tribal Council Resolution or have delegated authority.
Learn of TCUs that have successfully received funding under past Office of Indian Energy funding opportunities:
Jana Schmieding Joins the 2024 DOE Tribal Clean Energy Summit as Event Emcee
📅 Feb. 27–28 | Temecula, California
 We are thrilled to announce our event emcee, Jana Schmieding! She is a Lakota Native actor, comedian, writer, and content creator known for her breakout role as Reagan on Peacock's groundbreaking comedy series, “Rutherford Falls.” She is a vocal advocate of Indigenous visibility and social justice and discusses these issues regularly in her comedy and writing.
Register now to reserve your spot at the 2024 DOE Tribal Clean Energy Summit – early bird registration rates are extended through Jan. 31! Book hotel rooms by Feb. 2 for the group rate as rooms may sell out prior to that date.
We invite Tribal Leaders, staff, and partners to come together to build networks, exchange ideas, and explore clean energy solutions that support Tribal energy sovereignty.
In Case You Missed It
This newsletter was on hiatus for the holidays in December (happy belated New Year!), so here is a roundup of recent Indian Energy headlines you may have missed:
 At the end of November 2023, DOE announced $3 million in funding for two projects aimed at transitioning TCU campuses to clean energy.
News and Resources
Apply Now for Summer Internships with DOE through the Minority Educational Institution Student Partnership Program
 The Minority Educational Institution Student Partnership Program (MEISPP) offers 12-week summer internships with offices and laboratories throughout the Department of Energy for students that attend TCUs, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and other minority-serving institutions including Native American Serving Non-Tribal Institutions.
Sponsored by the Office of Energy Justice and Equity, the program partners with eligible minority-serving institutions to help their students (undergraduate and graduate) and recent graduates “jump-start” their careers and develop their potential for future opportunities within the federal government.
The deadline to apply is Feb. 15, 2024.
Attend an application assistance workshop for more information on MEISPP, application assistance, and answers to any questions you may have!
NREL Hosts Internship Program for Underrepresented Undergraduate and Graduate Students in STEM
 Applications are now open for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s Enabling Native Researchers and other Minorities through Graduate Engineering (ENRGE) summer 2024 internship program. The program offers undergraduate and graduate students at minority-serving institutions enhanced hands-on experience in engineering disciplines of power, energy, and cybersecurity.
Visit NREL’s ENRGE internship page to learn more about the internship and apply by Jan. 31, 2024.
FACES Visiting Faculty Program Promotes Diversity in Clean Energy Science and Education
 STEM faculty from minority serving institutions are encouraged to apply for the Faculty-Applied Clean Energy Sciences (FACES) Program, a new research opportunity in partnership with National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), the Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Justice and Equity (EJE) and Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE).
Participants will spend 10 weeks over the summer at the NREL campus working with researchers to develop education modules. A stipend and travel reimbursement are offered. Learn more and apply here.
DOE Awards 10 Collegiate Faculty Explorer Awards for Advancing Energy Entrepreneurship
There's Still Time for Student Teams to Apply
 Congratulations to the 10 teams being recognized as Faculty Explorers in the EnergyTech University Prize’s inaugural faculty track! These collegiate leaders each earned funding for their proposals to integrate or expand energy technology commercialization and entrepreneurship topics at their schools.
Next, faculty will be provided with exclusive access to a DOE mentor and resources as they work on showing how their proposals could be integrated into student activities. Learn more about the faculty Explorers and how they’re increasing access to energy education at their institutions.
EnergyTech University Prize Student Registration Deadline is February 1, 2024
There's still time to compete in the EnergyTech University Prize 2024. This $400,000+ collegiate competition challenges student teams to develop and present a business plan that leverages National Laboratory-developed or other emerging energy technologies.
The deadline for student teams to submit a 200-word summary idea is Feb. 1, 2024. Register a team today!
New BRIDGES Bioenergy Case Studies Resources are Available for Your 2024 Curriculum!
 Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) partnered with Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, Illinois to pilot BRIDGES case studies with students. Photo courtesy of ANL
New resources are available to help educators incorporate the Bioenergy Research and Education Bridge (BRIDGES) Program into their classroom curricula.
Geared towards high school, technical and community college, and university classroom settings, each BRIDGES case study toolkit includes guides for students and instructors, with a focus on research and development scenarios covering sustainable aviation fuel, upcycling plastics, bioenergy feedstocks, and waste-to-energy potential.
Funding Opportunities
Stay up to date on the latest clean energy funding opportunities for tribes and tribal entities on the Office of Indian Energy Current Funding Opportunities page.
Energy Auditor Training Grant Program
$40 million
Concept papers due March 28; full applications due June 28.
The Energy Auditor Training (EAT) Grant Program is designed to provide grants to eligible states to train individuals to conduct energy audits or surveys of commercial and residential buildings to build the clean energy workforce, save customers money on their energy bills, and reduce pollution from building energy use.
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Please note: States are the primary recipients of these funds, but the funds may be used to cover costs associated with individuals being trained or certified to conduct energy audits by state-certified third-party training programs.
Events
American Climate Corps Listening Session
📅 Feb. 1, 10 a.m. ET | Sign up here
In September 2023, President Biden announced the launch of the American Climate Corps, a groundbreaking workforce training and service initiative that will prepare tens of thousands of young people for good-paying jobs in the clean economy.
Beginning in January 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration will convene a series of virtual listening sessions to hear directly from prospective American Climate Corps applicants and implementing partners. Join the American Climate Corps team and special guests to share your thoughts about how to make the Corps a success.
6th Annual Seminole Tribe of Florida Renewable Energy & Sustainability Conference
📅 Feb. 6–8 | Hollywood, Florida
On Tuesday, Feb. 6, representatives from the Office of Indian Energy will present on clean energy funding opportunities available across DOE.
2024 DOE Tribal Clean Energy Summit
📅 Feb. 27–28 | Temecula, California
We invite Tribal Leaders, staff, and partners to come together to build networks, exchange ideas, and explore clean energy solutions that support Tribal energy sovereignty.
Why should you come to the #TribalCleanEnergySummit? Office of Indian Energy Director Wahleah Johns explains... 🔊
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