On February 12, 2016, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that it will be taking applications from regional and intertribal Indian organizations as well as the thirteen Alaska Native regional corporations for grants of between $300,000 to $1 million each to provide technical assistance to their member tribes. This is a competitive grant program and the total amount available for all grants is between $4 million and $7 million. DOE’s Office of Indian Energy will provide training during the first year of the grant, including five weeks of intensive training. The Office of Indian Energy will also provide access to DOE resources and energy experts throughout the grant period. This grant has a 10 percent cost share. A link to the application and further information about the funding opportunity is here: https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/#FoaId47df7cd5-5f75-4e14-954b-bce53b93cdca The deadline for applications for the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is 5:00 PM EST, April 14, 2016.
The FOA limits participation to the thirteen Alaska Native regional corporations as well as an eligible Inter‐tribal Organization which is “an organization comprised of two or more Indian tribes, established under Congressional, State, or Tribal law to act on behalf of the participating Indian tribes” such as “inter‐tribal councils, regional tribal organizations or associations, Alaska Regional Development Organizations, and tribal federations.” The overall mission of this grant opportunity is to maximize the development and deployment of energy solutions for the benefit of American Indians and Alaska Natives on a regional, rather than an individual Indian tribe or village, basis.
Grant award winners will be expected to:
1. Coordinate energy solutions among participating Indian tribes or Alaska Native villages within the region.
2. Deliver technical assistance to participating Indian tribes or Alaska Native villages within the region.
3. Build the human capacity of participating Indian tribes or Alaska Native villages by providing information to tribal leaders and staff through workshops or Webinars.
4. Serve as an information clearinghouse for participating Indian tribes or Alaska Native villages.
5. Network with regional and national energy organizations.
6. Advise DOE’s Office of Indian Energy on the energy goals and needs within their region.
7. Enhance DOE’s technical assistance network across Indian Country.
DOE will host a webinar for potential applicants on March 1. Those interested can register for the webinar at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1340168707350748930.
Please let us know if we may provide additional information regarding the Inter-Tribal Technical Assistance Energy Providers Network funding opportunity.
