Clean Energy Careers for All (CEC4A)

Submit by December 13, 2024 5:00 PM ET

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) 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.

Information

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:

  1. 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
  2. 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) 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.

How to Participate

  1. Recommended: Attend the informational Webinar/Objective Strategic Session on 10/16/2024 at 3-4pm ET
  2. Recommended: Attend the Office Hours on 11/13/2024 at 3-4pm and 12/4/2024 at 3-4pm
  3. Required: Complete the submission and upload here:
    Submit by December 13, 2024 5:00 PM ET

Important Dates

Submission Deadline(s)

12/13/2024 by 5pm ET

Opportunity Announcement

9/24/2024

Objective Strategic Session

10/16/2024 at 3pm ET

Informational “Office Hours” Session(s)

11/13/2024 at 3pm ET and 12/4/2024 at 3pm ET

Process Details

Timeline(s)

Phase 1) Submissions Open from 9/24/2024 – 12/13/2024

  • Informational Webinar/Objective Strategic Session on 10/16/2024: DOE will provide additional details about this opportunity and how potential applicants can gain a better understanding of the scope, scale, and intent of the opportunity. Applicants will be able to ask questions during the webinar. Webinar will be recorded and posted for public viewing.
  • Informational Office Hours on 11/13/2024 and 12/3/2024: DOE will answer any remaining questions from potential applicants before the submission deadline. Office Hours will be recorded and posted for public viewing.

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.

Eligibility & Review Criteria

  1. Review Criteria. Applications will be reviewed by the following criteria by DOE:
    1. Focus on jobs in relevant technical areas as described above
    2. Breadth of participants (e.g. programs aimed for K-12, community colleges, undergraduate, graduate, etc.)
    3. Types of support or programs that will be provided (e.g. certificate programs, internships, online programming, etc.)
    4. Preference will be given to programs with broad national or regional impact. While entities focused on state or local communities are welcome, they are encouraged to consider ways to expand their reach beyond a single state for this opportunity.
    5. Novelty of approach and potential quantifiable impact
    6. Inclusion of industry engagement (e.g. companies, trade associations, etc.) or partnerships
    7. Feasibility of implementation within proposed budget and timeline
    8. Anticipated program milestones and evaluation metrics (see template)
  2. Eligibility criteria:
    1. Applicant qualifies as a domestic entity1
      1. Applicant must certify it is not owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction by the government of any Country of Risk2
    2. Ineligible entities for this solicitation are:
      1. Individuals
      2. Foreign Entities
      3. 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.3

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.