Office of Indian Energy Updates
Watch Now: TCU Energy and Food Sovereignty Nexus Prize Webinar Recording
Did you miss the Oct. 15 webinar for the TCU Energy and Food Sovereignty Nexus Prize? The recording is now available. Watch the webinar and/or view the accompanying slides to catch up on any prize details you may have missed, such as the general prize overview, eligibility, timeline, and more.
Phase 1 prize submissions are due Dec. 4, 2024.
A few key points made during the webinar:
- This prize is available to TCU students and faculty only.
- Only one team per TCU can apply. If many people from the same TCU are interested in competing, we recommend teaming together.
- If you click the Follow button in the top right corner of the HeroX page, you’ll receive occasional notifications about the prize.
We’ll add answers from the webinar Q&A to the Forum tab on HeroX when available.
Now that you have a better understanding of what the prize is about, it’s time to form a team! Talk to students and supporting faculty at your TCU to see who’s interested in joining and remember to complete your submission by the Dec. 4 deadline.
Webinar Recording: TCUs Planning for Clean Energy Transition (DE-FOA-0003403)
The webinar recording and slides are now available from our Oct. 17 webinar, and include details about the funding opportunity and how to apply.
Under this $5 million funding opportunity announcement, the Office of Indian Energy is soliciting applications from TCUs for planning to transition their campuses to clean energy.
Eligible clean energy planning activities may include, but are not limited to:
- Strategic energy planning
- Energy options analysis
- Energy audits
- Developing an energy organization or office
- Climate resiliency planning
- Establishing energy policy, regulations, or codes
- Obtaining skills and training related to energy use, development, or management.
No recipient cost share is required.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) expects to make approximately $5 million of federal funding available for new awards under this funding opportunity announcement, making approximately 15 to 35 awards ranging from $100,000 to $350,000 and no recipient cost share is required.
Applications are due by Dec. 18, 2024.
News and Resources
Celebrate Bioenergy Day With Education and Workforce Resources
On Oct. 23, the DOE Bioenergy Technologies Office celebrated Bioenergy Day by sharing education and workforce development resources.
- The Bioenergy Research and Education Bridge Program case-study based education curriculum is designed to equip educators with best practices and instructor and student guides to deliver effective lesson plans.
- The Bioenergy Technologies Office’s Bioenergy Career Map is an interactive educational tool that explores the vast network of bioenergy occupations, illustrates potential career pathways, and identifies the education and training required for each career.
- The Bioenergy Technologies Office supports internships and fellowships that provide hands-on experience in the bioenergy field. These programs are an excellent way to gain the skills and knowledge needed to jump-start your career.
- The Bioenergy Coloring and Activity Book offers a learning experience that teaches key bioenergy facts and raises awareness of renewable energy.
Read the full education blog to learn more about bioenergy tools and resources to prepare the next clean energy workforce.
Discover Science: Applications Open for Summer 2025 Undergraduate Internships
Students and recent grads may apply to conduct research and technical projects at national laboratories.
On Oct. 16, DOE opened applications for the Summer 2025 term of the Office of Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) program and the Community College Internships (CCI) programs, open to all current and recent college undergraduates.
These stipend-based 10-week programs provide technical training and research opportunities at DOE national laboratories and other facilities. Interns will learn about science and technology careers, team science, networking, and gain the experience needed to transition from internship to employment.
The application deadline for both programs is Jan. 8, 2025.
Applicant Workshops and Summer Internship Fair:
Prospective SULI and CCI applicants are invited to learn more during several workshops and a virtual Summer Internship Fair.
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USDA Announces New Tribal College Liaisons and Applications for Summer 2025 Tribal Policy Interns
 On Oct. 9, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced a first-ever regional cadre of USDA Tribal college liaisons. Three new liaisons serve regions where Tribal colleges are located (Central Plains, Southwest, and Rocky Mountain regions). The liaisons share information on USDA programs and services with Tribal college students, Tribal Nations, Native American farmers, and local communities.
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Kellen Palmer, Tribal liaison, Central Plains region serving Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas; Little Priest Tribal College in Winnebago, Nebraska; Nebraska Indian Community College in Macy, Nebraska; College of the Muscogee Nation in Okmulgee, Oklahoma.
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Raymond Benally, Tribal liaison, Southwest region serving Diné College in Tsaile, Arizona; Tohono O’odham Community College in Sells, Arizona; Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico; Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico; and Navajo Technical University in Crownpoint, New Mexico.
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Ryhal Rowland, Tribal liaison, Rocky Mountain region serving Aaniih Nakoda College in Harlem, Montana; Blackfeet Community College in Browning, Montana; Chief Dull Knife College in Lame Deer, Montana; Fort Peck Community College in Poplar, Montana; Little Big Horn College in Crow Agency, Montana; Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, Montana; and Stone Child College in Box Elder, Montana.
In addition, applications are now open for Summer 2025 USDA Tribal Food and Agriculture Policy Internships.
The internship program is a paid opportunity for undergraduate, graduate, and law students to gain specialized career experience in the Office of Tribal Relations and with USDA mission areas.
During the summer of 2025, interns will work on programs that benefit Indian Country and relate to USDA Tribal agriculture and food policy programs.
These are the latest USDA actions to empower Tribal self-determination, promote equity, and remove barriers to services and programs. Both programs are managed by USDA’s Office of Tribal Relations Tribal College Program.
The Summer 2025 application deadline is Nov. 22. 2024.
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.
TCUs Prize and Funding Opportunity Announcement
$9 million
On Sept. 26, the Office of Indian Energy announced over $9 million in funding and prizes to support TCUs in their efforts to advance clean energy projects and bolster food sovereignty initiatives on their campuses.
Clean Energy Careers for All
$3 million
Phase 1 submissions due Dec. 13.
This opportunity will award nearly $3 million to nonprofit educational organizations to support programs that promote awareness and interest in clean energy careers among K-12 and university students, alumni and academic professionals, veterans, and formerly incarcerated individuals.
DOE will accept applications for new or expanded workforce development programs in key clean energy sectors, including renewable energy, building energy efficiency, energy storage, advanced materials and manufacturing, and electric vehicles, among others.
Events
Undergraduate Laboratory and Community College Internships Applicant Workshop and Summer Internship Fair
📅 Nov. 6, 14; Dec. 3
Prospective applicants for the SULI program and the CCI program are invited to learn more during several workshops and a virtual summer internship fair ahead of the Summer 2025 internship application deadline (details above).
Office of Indian Energy 2024 Program Review
📅 Nov. 18–22 | Denver, Colorado
This annual event is an opportunity for Tribal Leaders and staff to meet, learn from other Tribes pursuing clean energy projects, and share in each other's successes.
34th Annual BIA Tribal Provider’s Conference
📅 Dec. 3–5 | Anchorage, Alaska
The 34th annual BIA Tribal Provider’s Conference is scheduled for December 3–5, 2024, at the Dena’ina Center in downtown Anchorage.
Seminole Tribe of Florida Renewable Energy & Sustainability 7th Annual Conference
📅 Jan. 27–29 | Hollywood, Florida
This conference will focus on the newly changing landscape for Tribal energy development and sustainability, including best practices, federal leadership, policy and regulatory changes, funding a project, and project planning/development trends.
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