The objective of this Opportunity is to fund proposals from non-profit 501(c)(3) or non-lobbying 501(c)(6) organizations that are qualified to reach and best develop strategic programs that meet the need for a diverse American energy workforce.
Eligibility criteria:
Applicant qualifies as a domestic entity
Applicant must certify it is not owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction by the government of any Country of Risk
Ineligible entities for this solicitation are:
Individuals
Foreign Entities
Persons participating in a Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Program of a Foreign Country of Risk are prohibited from participating in projects selected for federal funding under this Opportunity. Should an award result from this Opportunity, the recipient must exercise ongoing due diligence to reasonably ensure that no individuals participating on the DOE-funded project are participating in a Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Program of a Foreign Country of Risk. Consequences for violations of this prohibition will be determined according to applicable law, regulations, and policy. Further, the recipient must notify DOE within five (5) business days upon learning that an individual on the project team is or is believed to be participating in a foreign government talent recruitment program of a foreign country of risk. DOE may modify and add requirements related to this prohibition to the extent required by law.
Summary
The Clean Energy Careers for All (CEC4A) opportunity will support workforce development programming that broadens participation and engages individuals from many different groups within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in ways that promote interest in careers that support the nation’s transition to clean energy. Eligible participants are non-profit 501(c)(3) or non-lobbying 501(c)(6) educational organizations, including engineering, scientific, and technical societies that can reach across various levels of future workforce populations. CEC4A will provide up to 10 awards of ~$300,000 each.
Description
The Clean Energy Careers for All Workforce Development Project (this Opportunity) addresses the need for a diverse American energy workforce by leveraging organizations that are qualified to reach a wide variety of communities - see DOE’s United States Energy & Employment Report 2024 (USEER). The stated mission of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) is to:
accelerate the research, development, demonstration, and deployment of technologies and solutions to equitably transition America to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions economy-wide by no later than 2050, and
create good paying jobs for the American people that will allow the country to make the clean energy transition equitable for all.
EERE looks to support workforce development programming that inspires and develops the future personnel that it will take to improve the affordability, reliability, and integration of renewable energy technologies; increase the energy productivity of homes, buildings, and industries; and produce the research and development needed that will lead to more affordable, efficient, and clean transportation and sustainable fuels. Specifically, EERE is looking for effective ways to broaden participation and engage individuals from many different groups within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) in ways that promote interest in careers that support the nation’s transition to clean energy.
This Opportunity was created in response to a recently released Request for Information (RFI) from EERE that sought input about its efforts to address the need for a diverse American energy workforce by leveraging organizations that are qualified to reach a wide variety of communities.
Objective
The objective of this Opportunity is to fund proposals from non-profit 501(c)(3) or non-lobbying 501(c)(6) organizations that are qualified to reach and best develop strategic programs that meet the need for a diverse American energy workforce. DOE is seeking non-profit educational organizations, including engineering, scientific, and technical societies that can reach across various levels of future workforce populations, including (but not limited to):
K-12
Undergraduates, including 2- year community colleges and 4- year institutions, minority and majority serving institutions
Graduate students, including minority and majority serving institutions
Alumni, including postbaccalaureates (postbacs), postdoctoral researchers (postdocs) and professionals
Veterans
Formerly incarcerated or re-entering populations
This Opportunity is aimed at funding new programs, or the expansion of current programs, that promote the exposure to and inspiration to participants that will provide future growth of the clean energy workforce sector. Awarded projects should specifically support programming components such as (but not limited to):
Facilitating work-based learning opportunities (like internships, apprenticeships, or other job-based experiences) with industry partners;
Providing career coaching and mentorship (including soft skills development);
Enhancing education/curriculum development;
Providing career exposure (virtual exposure, or in-person visits) to stakeholder groups at multiple levels of the clean energy workforce pipeline
Projects are expected to be 9 months in length and can cover one or multiple programming components including those beyond the above list. Programming can cover multiple populations and can be in person, hybrid and/or virtual.
Programming should focus on clean energy careers in sectors including (but not limited to):
Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Bioenergy
Building Energy Efficiency & Decarbonization
Energy Storage
Grid Integration
Hydrogen & Fuel Cells
Industrial Efficiency & Decarbonization
Renewable Energy (Solar, Water, Geothermal, Wind)
Vehicles & e-Mobility
Proposals must provide thorough details about how program participants will be exposed to clean energy careers in a measurable manner.
EERE anticipates designating 7-10 awards of up to ~$300,000 each during Phase 1. Phase 1 awardees may have the opportunity to receive a Phase 2 award based on performance. Subject to availability of additional funds, there is potential for the top 3-5 teams to receive a portion of an additional $750,000. Decisions will be based on the program impact as measured against quantifiable metrics provided with the applications and the judgement of DOE reviewers.
Note that non-lobbying 501(c)(6) organizations are eligible.