The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs (Office of Indian Energy) today announced a combined total of over $9 million in funding and prizes to support Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) in their efforts to advance clean energy projects and bolster food sovereignty initiatives on their campuses. These investments underscore DOE’s commitment to partnering with Native communities to promote energy independence and sustainability, as well as develop the next generation of Tribal clean energy leaders.
American-Made TCU Energy and Food Sovereignty Nexus Prize-$4.1 Million
The DOE Office of Indian Energy today launched the American-Made TCU Energy and Food Sovereignty Nexus Prize, a $4.1 million prize competition exclusively available to the 35 U.S.-based TCUs. As the Office of Indian Energy’s first-ever prize, this initiative encourages student-led teams to design and implement clean energy demonstration projects that support Tribal food sovereignty.
Examples of projects may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Greenhouses heated or cooled by geothermal (ground-source) energy
- Greenhouses powered by wind or solar
- Solar arrays that provide shade for crops or grazing livestock.
Phase 1 prize submissions are due Dec. 4, 2024, at 5 p.m. ET.
- Form your team and join the competition.