Office Updates
Tribal Entities: Apply by January 31 To Host an Energy Innovator Fellow!
 Applications are now open for Tribal entities to host an Energy Innovator Fellow for a 1- to 2-year fellowship funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
The Energy Innovator Fellowship is a workforce development program that matches qualified recent graduates and professionals with critical energy organizations to advance solutions to modernize the power system, improve energy infrastructure for transportation and industry, and make the U.S. power system more reliable, affordable, and resilient.
Host organization applications are due Jan. 31, 2025.
DOE Announces Contract Selections for Intertribal Organizations To Improve Communication and Engagement for Tribal Energy Funding and Resources
$3.6 Million Pilot To Increase Access to DOE Funding and Technical Assistance for Tribes
 On Jan. 8, DOE announced contract selections for a pilot to increase collaboration with five nonprofit regional intertribal organizations. The “Intertribal Organization Opportunity: Support for Tribal Clean Energy Communication and Engagement” funding opportunity is focused on enhancing outreach and engagement to improve federally recognized Tribes’ navigation and access to DOE energy funding and technical assistance.
DOE Announces Phase 1 Winners of American-Made TCU Energy and Food Sovereignty Nexus Prize
Student-Led Teams Developed Plans To Increase Food Sovereignty Using Renewable Energy
 On Jan. 8 DOE also announced 14 Phase 1 winners of the American-Made Tribal College and University (TCU) Energy and Food Sovereignty Nexus Prize. Student-led groups teamed up and created plans to increase the use of renewable energy to support Tribal food sovereignty initiatives on TCU campuses.
TCUs of Phase 1 winning teams were each awarded a $40,000 cash prize and will advance to Phase 2a.
News
Tribal Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program Updates
The DOE Tribal Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program is hosting Program Office Hours on Jan. 21 at 4 p.m. ET.
This session will focus on:
- New programmatic changes that simplify application submission
- Tribes including retail rebates in their program
- Tribes including multifamily housing rebates in their program.
These office hours are interactive meetings intended to foster discussion and peer learning. Bring any questions that you have for DOE subject matter experts, and, if possible, plan to participate with your camera active.
Application Reminders:
- Please register in PAGE and submit your SF-424 as soon as possible. (Regarding the SF-424 on our website, disregard the Adobe preview message after clicking the link. The form will open properly outside your web browser once it is downloaded.)
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The application deadline remains May 31, 2025. Please note that if Tribes do not apply, they forfeit funding.
Apply by Jan. 31 for Community Microgrid Development Support
 The Community Microgrid Assistance Partnership promotes a better understanding of microgrid technology among communities, companies, and energy system operators. Communities and Tribes interested in developing a microgrid or improving their existing microgrid are encouraged to apply.
This opportunity is open to communities in Alaska, Hawaii, and Tribes (primarily in the Southwest and Great Plains) where there is greatest opportunity for advanced microgrids to boost energy independence and resilience in electrically islanded and traditionally underserved areas. Learn more, watch a recorded webinar on eligibility, and apply by Jan. 31.
Request for Information: Collective Clean Energy Fund Seeks Shovel-Ready Projects in EPA Region 8
The Collective Clean Energy Fund has launched a regional request for information to build a pipeline for qualified projects to receive investment from the EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund National Clean Investment Fund. Financing requests of $1 million and higher are encouraged.
Priority project categories include net-zero-emissions buildings, distributed energy generation and storage, and zero-emissions transportation.
Projects should be shovel-ready, anticipate closing on financing within the next 6 to 12 months, and be in EPA Region 8 (Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, and 28 Tribal Nations across those states).
The submission deadline is Jan. 31, 2025.
For more information about the request for information, watch the webinar and download the fact sheet.
Funding Opportunities
Printable Flyer: Tribal Clean Energy Funding Opportunities
- Tribal Clean Energy Planning and Development—2025
- Climate United NEXT
- High Energy Cost Grant
- Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program
- Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities.
 Tribal Clean Energy Planning and Development—2025
$25 million
Applications due Jan. 23.
Under this funding opportunity announcement (FOA), the Office of Indian Energy is soliciting applications from Indian Tribes, which include Alaska Native Regional corporations and Village corporations, intertribal organizations, and Tribal energy development organizations, to:
- Conduct clean energy planning
- Comprehensively assess the feasibility and viability of deploying clean energy technology
- Conduct clean energy design and development activities.
DOE expects to make approximately $25 million of federal funding available under this FOA, with approximately 20–40 awards that range from $100,000 to $2,500,000.
Climate United NEXT
$30 million
Deadline extended to Jan. 24.
This pre-development grant program will help underserved and low-income communities deploy the next generation of clean energy projects with grants up to $300,000 to support community-led projects that increase energy independence, reduce pollution, and save money.
The first round of Climate United NEXT grants will support clean energy projects in Native communities and will be open to nonprofit organizations, state and local government entities, Indian Tribes, and institutions of higher education.
High Energy Cost Grant
$10 million
Apply by Feb. 28.
This U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development grant program assists energy providers, including Tribes and Tribal entities, in lowering energy costs in communities with high energy costs, installing on-grid and off-grid renewable energy systems, and making energy efficiency improvements.
Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program
$27 million
Apply by April 2.
This U.S. Department of Transportation notice of funding opportunity offers technical assistance grants to rural and Tribal communities for the planning and design phase development of transportation projects. There is no local funding match required.
Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities
$750 million
Applications close April 18.
This Federal Emergency Management Agency program supports states, local and territorial governments, and Tribal Nations as they work to reduce their hazard risk. These funds will help address high-level future risks to natural disasters, foster greater community resilience, and reduce disaster suffering.
Events
- Clean Electricity Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Amount Program
- Tribal Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program Office Hours
- ATNI Winter Convention
- Seminole Tribe of Florida Renewable Energy & Sustainability 7th Annual Conference
- RES 2025
Overview of the Clean Electricity Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Amount Program
📅 Jan. 16 | 1 p.m. ET | Online
Join the U.S. Department of the Treasury for a webinar to discuss final regulations on the Clean Electricity Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Amount Program. The webinar will provide an overview of the final regulation with a focus on aspects that impact Tribal governments and Native entities.
Tribal Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program Office Hours
📅 Jan. 21 | 4 p.m. ET | Online
Tribal representatives are invited to learn more about recent Tribal Home Electrification and Appliance Rebates Program changes, as well as retail and multifamily considerations.
ATNI Winter Convention
📅 Jan. 26–30 | Portland, Oregon
ATNI Conventions are where members convene for discussion, presentations, and the work of the committees in regard to policy, legislation, and the future of Indian Country in the Northwest.
Seminole Tribe of Florida Renewable Energy & Sustainability 7th Annual Conference
📅 Jan. 27–29 | Hollywood, Florida
The 7th Annual Seminole Tribe of Florida Renewable Energy and Sustainability Conference will focus on the newly changing landscape for Tribal energy development and sustainability.
RES 2025
📅 March 10–13 | Las Vegas, Nevada
The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development is embracing Beyond Boundaries for the 2025 Reservation Economic Summit. The event features Tribal leaders, members of Congress, federal agency representatives, state and local officials, and top CEOs on a national platform.
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