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.
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:
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.
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):
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):
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):
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.
To facilitate the formation of new project teams for this Opportunity, a Teaming Partner list is available below. Any organization that would like to be included on this list should include the below information in the form linked here:
By facilitating this Teaming Partner list, DOE and TechWerx do not endorse or otherwise evaluate the qualifications of the entities that self-identify themselves for placement on the Teaming Partner List.
September 24, 2024
November 13, 2024 at 3pm ET and December 4, 2024 at 3pm ET
December 13, 2024 by 5pm ET
Phase 1) Submissions Open from September 24, 2024 – December 13, 2024
Phase 2) DOE Selection is expected at the End of January/Early February: DOE will review submissions based on relevance to the program objectives, evaluate applications based on set criteria, and notify selected entities for next steps in the awarding process. Note that DOE may choose to meet with submitters or ask additional clarifying questions prior to selection.
Phase 3) Negotiations will occur for approximately 2 months after selections have been made: Selected organizations will meet with TechWerx to negotiate work, budget, timing and impact constraints.
DOE retains the prerogative to require additional information from the applicants to verify the applicant meets the eligibility requirements. Further, DOE retains the prerogative to decide whether to fund the proposed project entirely, partially, or not at all.
1 To qualify as a domestic entity, the entity must be organized, chartered or incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a particular state or territory of the United States; have majority domestic ownership and control; and have a physical place of business in the United States.
2 DOE includes the following countries as Country of Risk: China, Russia, North Korea and Iran. This list is subject to change.
3 Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Program is defined as an effort directly or indirectly organized, managed, or funded by a foreign government, or a foreign government instrumentality or entity, to recruit science and technology professionals or students (regardless of citizenship or national origin, or whether having a full-time or part-time position). Some foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment programs operate with the intent to import or otherwise acquire from abroad, sometimes through illicit means, proprietary technology or software, unpublished data and methods, and intellectual property to further the military modernization goals and/or economic goals of a foreign government. Many, but not all, programs aim to incentivize the targeted individual to relocate physically to the foreign state for the above purpose. Some programs allow for or encourage continued employment at United States research facilities or receipt of federal research funds while concurrently working at and/or receiving compensation from a foreign institution, and some direct participants not to disclose their participation to U.S. entities. Compensation could take many forms including cash, research funding, complimentary foreign travel, honorific titles, career advancement opportunities, promised future compensation, or other types of remuneration or consideration, including in-kind compensation.