Office Updates
Webinar Wednesday: Leveraging Opportunities To Bring Tribal Clean Energy Projects Online
 📅 Wednesday, June 26 | 11 a.m.–1:30 p.m. MT
Join the Office of Indian Energy for the latest updates on the Low-Income Bonus Credit Program, which is now accepting applications for investment tax credits for solar and wind energy facilities on Indian land.
Additionally, learn how the Independent Power Producer (IPP) framework is being used to bring clean energy projects online in Alaska with Northwest Arctic Borough.
Guest speakers will also share technical assistance resources available to Tribes for navigating current clean energy policies, along with a case study on how the Seneca Nation leveraged existing partnerships with their providers to bring renewable energy and broadband projects online.
News and Resources
Coming Soon: The 2024 Geothermal Collegiate Competition (With $36,000 in Prizes!)
 The winning team of the 2023 Geothermal Collegiate Competition Technical Track from the University of Oklahoma poses with their award at their community engagement event. Photo by University of Oklahoma.
The next cycle of the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Geothermal Collegiate Competition (GCC) kicks off this summer. The GCC is an annual challenge in which students are invited to develop real-world, sustainable geothermal solutions, gain experience in the renewable energy industry, and compete for cash prizes. Registration for the Fall 2024 GCC will open in August! Follow the challenge on HeroX to be notified when registration opens.
The fall 2024 competition will have two tracks:
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Technical Track teams will perform a resource assessment and design a geothermal heating and cooling system for a community of their choosing. The design can also include other renewable energy technologies and/or storage.
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Policy Track teams will present a high-level idea for a geothermal heating and cooling system in a community or campus, focused on an analysis of the regulatory environment, economic assessment, and workforce development analysis.
Students from any major can participate, and interdisciplinary teams are encouraged. Faculty can also implement the GCC as part of their fall courses for a hands-on learning experience.
To learn more about the competition, register for the first information session on July 23, 2024, at 2 p.m. ET.
Arizona State University Joins Clean Energy Education and Empowerment Initiative as University Partner
On June 24, the DOE-led Clean Energy Education & Empowerment (C3E) initiative announced that Arizona State University (ASU) is joining the C3E Initiative as a partnering University. The Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at ASU joins Massachusetts Institute of Technology Energy Initiative (MITEI) and the Stanford Precourt Institute for Energy as the third University to work with DOE to increase the participation, leadership, and success of women in clean energy.
"DOE is excited to bring ASU on board as we continue our commitment to enrich the talent pool and help shape a robust and sustainable clean energy future," said Maria T. Vargas, lead C3E ambassador and senior program advisor. "Our collaboration with ASU will further broaden the reach and representation of the C3E initiative and help further promote women’s leadership in the energy sector."
Read the full announcement.
Finalists Selected for AlgaePrize 2023–2025
 Algae, including macroalgae (upper right photo) and microalgae (left and lower right photos), are versatile organisms that produce biomass that could help the nation meet its clean energy goals. Photos courtesy of Jordan Hollarsmith, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Dennis Schroeder, National Renewable Energy Laboratory; and MicroBio Engineering.
With the power to simultaneously fuel our airplanes, recycle carbon dioxide, provide nutrition for animals and humans, and create jobs for millions of Americans, algae matters to the U.S. clean energy economy.
And the next generation of scientists and researchers has responded to this algal call to action, as 15 student teams from across the country were selected as finalists for the AlgaePrize 2023–2025 competition. As the nation’s premier algal-based student research competition, the AlgaePrize challenges students to pursue innovative ideas for the development, design, and invention of technologies within the commercial algae value chain.
The 15 teams are presently conducting their proposed research and will provide updates over the next few months.
As we follow their progress, here are three facts to fuel your algae curiosity.
ZEDD Sets Collegiate Building Science Programs Apart
Set your zero-energy collegiate program apart with a designation from DOE!
 Since launching in 2022, DOE’s Zero Energy Design Designation (ZEDD) program has recognized 39 programs of study from 26 institutions that teach best practices for zero-energy design and require students to apply those concepts in zero-energy design projects. The designation lasts three years, after which programs may apply to renew.
"These schools have excelled at preparing tomorrow's leaders to design, construct, and operate the most sustainable, high-performing buildings possible," said Jaime Van Mourik, ZEDD lead at DOE.
While applications for the 2024 cohort are due June 28, another application cycle is anticipated in 2025.
Scholarships, Fellowships, and Jobs
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Advanced Research Projects Agency—Energy (ARPA-E) is looking for the next generation of scientists and engineers to help direct the future of American energy innovation. We are looking for creative thinkers to work on the most pressing and exciting challenges in energy. During their two-year tenure in Washington, D.C., ARPA-E Fellows conduct independent research and analysis into technological whitespaces, contribute to new program development, and engage with innovators in a variety of fields, including academia, industry, start-ups, and government. Apply by July 12.
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The DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office is seeking qualified candidates for the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education Science, Technology, and Policy Fellowship. This is a paid opportunity to learn about the federal government and its role in advancing renewable energy. Fellows will play an integral role in designing and implementing national research and development strategies and programs to make solar energy more affordable and reliable. Apply by July 15.
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The DOE Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office is looking for talented and passionate scientists and engineers who are interested in supporting technical, programmatic, strategic, and policy efforts aimed at decarbonizing the industrial sector through the Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office Fellowship. Apply by July 15.
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The National Renewable Energy Laboratory and DOE offer a wide variety of internship opportunities to full-time undergraduate and graduate students. Application deadlines vary. Learn more about the internship programs.
- On May 30, DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a new internship program to support workforce development goals outlined in the U.S. National Clean Hydrogen Strategy and Roadmap. The program will support up to 10 six-month research internships per year for graduate students involved in active NSF grants, who are interested in professional development and training for careers that support the emerging clean hydrogen economy.
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.
 RENEW Fiscal Year 2024
Apply by July 23.
Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW) aims to build foundations for DOE research at institutions historically underrepresented in the Office of Science research portfolio, including Tribal Colleges and Universities.
RENEW leverages DOE’s unique national laboratories, user facilities, and other research infrastructures to provide training opportunities for undergraduate students, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers at academic institutions.
 MSI Contract Readiness Prize Aims To Boost Contracting Equity
$300 thousand
Apply by Aug. 5.
Building on the Biden Administration’s Justice40 Initiative, the new MSI Contract Readiness Prize will award up to $300,000 to Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), including Tribal Colleges and Universities.
The goal of the prize is to increase capacity for MSIs to win contracts and prepare them with the knowledge needed to obtain future federal funding, thereby building a pipeline of long-term institutional support. Follow the prize to stay up to date on future webinars and training events.
 American-Made Solar Prize Round 8
$4 million
Apply by Sept. 26.
This prize program is designed to spur innovations in the nation’s solar hardware and software technologies and address challenges to rapid, equitable solar energy deployment.
Anyone based in the United States with a potentially marketable solar technology solution is eligible to compete—including students, professors, small business owners, and researchers. This challenge requires competitors to make progress quickly, form private-sector partnerships, and engage customers to bring ideas to life. Applicants can sign up on the HeroX prize platform.
Register for an informational webinar on July 9 at 2 p.m. ET to discuss the prize program.
Events
Information Webinar: American-Made Solar Prize Round 8
📅 July 9, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET
The Solar Prize Round 8 is a multimillion-dollar prize competition designed to energize U.S. solar innovation through a series of contests that accelerate the entrepreneurial process from years of project development to months. Join this webinar to learn more about Round 8, including changes to the program, prizes available, timelines, eligibility, and more.
Information Session: 2024 Geothermal Collegiate Competition
📅 July 23, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET
Learn more about joining the 2024 competition! Students from any major can participate, and interdisciplinary teams are encouraged. Faculty can also implement the GCC as part of their fall courses for hands-on learning experience.
Here's what's catching attention on our social media pages. Follow us on X and Facebook for the latest updates.
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