TRANSITIONING TRIBAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO CLEAN ENERGY - 2023 | DE FOA 0002978

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002978

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through its Office of Indian Energy and administered by the Golden Field Office, released the funding opportunity announcement (FOA) DE-FOA-0002978 titled "Transitioning Tribal Colleges and Universities to Clean Energy - 2023." This is a discretionary grant opportunity designed specifically to support Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) as they plan for, adopt, and teach clean energy solutions. The overall intent is to help TCUs build internal capacity by pairing real-world clean energy projects with curriculum development, so that students and communities gain both practical infrastructure improvements and workforce-relevant education.

The FOA is organized into two main topic areas. Topic Area 1 focuses on clean energy project and curriculum planning. This track is aimed at early-stage work, such as evaluating options, performing feasibility and planning activities, and designing academic or training curricula aligned with the clean energy projects being considered. Topic Area 2 supports clean energy technology and curriculum deployment, meaning implementation funding for actually putting clean energy technologies in place and rolling out the associated curriculum or instructional programs. DOE notes it may fund one, both, or neither topic area depending on application quality and program priorities, so applicants are expected to align tightly with the topic requirements laid out in the FOA.

In terms of funding scale, DOE expects to make about $15 million in total federal funding available under this announcement and anticipates making roughly 10 to 25 awards. The listed award ceiling is $4,000,000, which indicates the maximum federal amount that could be awarded per project under the opportunity. The FOA also includes a cost share requirement: recipients must provide a 10% non-federal cost share of the total allowable project costs. Put simply, the project budget must combine federal funds and non-federal matching contributions, and at least 10% of the allowable total must come from the recipient (or other non-federal sources, as permitted under the rules). This cost share applies to the total allowable costs, not just select line items.

Eligibility is specifically tied to Tribal Colleges and Universities, with the FOA directing applicants to Section III.A for the full eligibility requirements and to Appendix A for definitions. The opportunity listing itself labels eligible applicants as "Others," but the narrative makes clear that TCUs are the intended applicant pool and that the detailed determination is governed by the FOA language. The announcement also references statutory authority, and a formal modification (Modification 0001) was issued to correct and clarify legal citations and definitions. In particular, it updates references from 20 U.S.C. 1059 to 20 U.S.C. 1001, et seq., adjusts phrasing to clarify eligibility for funding under the cited statute, adds an additional U.S.C. reference on specified pages, and adds a definition of Tribal Colleges and Universities to Appendix A. The FOA notes these modifications are highlighted in yellow in the document, which matters for applicants who downloaded an earlier version and need to ensure they are using the corrected language.

Key administrative details include the CFDA number 81.087 (an energy-related assistance program identifier), the original posting/creation date of April 12, 2023, and an original application closing date of July 27, 2023. The full announcement and submission instructions are hosted on the Office of Indian Energy Exchange site (https://ie-exchange.energy.gov/), and the FOA repeatedly emphasizes that applicants should rely on the FOA document itself for complete requirements, especially Section III.A (Eligibility) and Appendix A (Definitions).

• The Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "TRANSITIONING TRIBAL COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO CLEAN ENERGY - 2023" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.087.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-04-12.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-07-27. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $4,000,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for DE FOA 0002978

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