Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002974
This Notice of Intent (NOI) signals that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through the Office of Indian Energy (Golden Field Office), planned to release a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for 2023 focused on deploying clean energy technologies on Tribal Lands. The NOI is essentially an early heads-up to help potential applicants prepare. It is not the actual solicitation, and DOE explicitly notes that details may change, that DOE will not answer questions about the NOI itself, and that no applications can be submitted under the NOI.
The planned FOA, referenced as Clean Energy Technology Deployment on Tribal Lands - 2023 (NOI cites DE-FOA-0002974 and also mentions DE-FOA-0002975 in the narrative), was intended to fund practical, on-the-ground projects that install or deploy clean energy generation, energy efficiency, energy storage, and integrated energy systems that improve Tribal energy costs, reliability, and resilience. The program’s core idea is deployment rather than basic research: getting equipment installed, operating, and verified in real Tribal facilities and communities.
Eligibility was aimed specifically at Tribal entities: Indian Tribes (including Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Alaska Native Village Corporations), Intertribal Organizations, and Tribal Energy Development Organizations. While the source data lists eligible applicants as "unrestricted," the text of the NOI narrows the intended applicant pool to these Tribal-aligned organizations, meaning interested parties needed to rely on the FOA language once released for the final eligibility rules and any clarifications.
Projects were organized into four Areas of Interest, giving applicants multiple pathways depending on their needs. Area of Interest 1 targeted clean energy generating systems and/or energy efficiency measures for Tribal Buildings. This could include, for example, installing solar PV on a tribal administrative building, upgrading HVAC and building controls, improving insulation, or other measures that directly reduce energy use and operating costs in specific facilities. Area of Interest 2 focused on community-scale deployments on Tribal Lands, supporting larger clean energy systems or energy storage that serve broader community needs rather than a single building, such as a shared solar project, a battery system supporting a distribution segment, or other community-serving generation and storage configurations. Area of Interest 3 emphasized resilience and emergency preparedness by supporting integrated energy systems capable of autonomous operation, meaning systems designed to run independently of the traditional centralized electric grid to keep one or more essential tribal buildings powered during outages or emergencies. This area aligns with microgrid-like solutions that can island from the grid and maintain service for critical loads. Area of Interest 4 addressed electrification for buildings that currently have no electricity service at all, supporting integrated energy systems or energy infrastructure that bring power to "unelectrified" Tribal Buildings, defined as buildings not connected to the traditional grid and not connected to any autonomous integrated energy system.
A key distinction in the NOI is how it treats grid connection status. For Areas of Interest 1 through 3, the projects were generally intended for Tribal Buildings that are either grid-connected or already connected to an autonomous integrated energy system (a system not tied to the centralized grid). Area of Interest 4 is the exception, designed specifically for situations where a Tribal Building is unelectrified, meaning it lacks both a grid connection and an existing autonomous integrated system. In practical terms, this separates typical deployment and resilience work (improving or backing up existing service) from first-time electrification challenges (bringing power where none exists).
DOE expected to make multiple grant awards under this effort. The NOI indicates an anticipated period of performance of about two to four years per award, and it includes a mandatory 12-month verification period. That verification requirement signals that DOE wanted projects not only installed but also demonstrated and measured over time to confirm performance, savings, or operational outcomes. Award sizes were expected to vary by Area of Interest, with ranges anticipated at approximately $100,000 to $2,500,000 for some areas and $250,000 to $5,000,000 for others. The source data also lists an expected number of awards around 25. While the source data includes an "AwardCeiling: 2" field, the narrative in the NOI provides the more useful and detailed expected award ranges, and the final FOA would govern the actual ceilings and floors.
Timing and submission logistics were also clearly flagged. DOE planned to issue the FOA in spring 2023, and interested applicants were encouraged to subscribe to the DOE Office of Indian Energy newsletter for notification when the FOA went live. Once released, applications would be accepted only through the IE-Exchange system (ie-exchange.energy.gov), not through the NOI or any other channel. The NOI also advises applicants to review required registrations ahead of time, since federal grant submissions often require several accounts and validation steps that can take time to complete.
Overall, the opportunity was designed to help Tribal communities move clean energy plans into implementation by funding tangible deployments: efficiency upgrades, renewable generation, storage, microgrid or islandable integrated energy systems for critical services, and electrification for buildings without power. The NOI’s main value is as a planning document, encouraging potential applicants to start shaping project concepts, lining up partners, verifying site control and building details, and preparing for the required registrations so they could respond quickly once the actual FOA was released.Apply for DE FOA 0002974
- The Department of Energy, Golden Field Office in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Notice of Intent to issue Funding Opportunity Announcement No. DE-FOA-0002974, Clean Energy Technology Deployment on Tribal Lands - 2023" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.087.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 26, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 26, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 25 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this Notice of Intent (NOI)?
This is an advance notice from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through the Office of Indian Energy (Golden Field Office), that DOE planned to release a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) in 2023 focused on deploying clean energy technologies on Tribal Lands. The NOI is meant to help potential applicants prepare early.
Is the NOI the actual funding solicitation?
No. The NOI is not the FOA and is not an application opportunity. It is a planning/heads-up document only, and DOE notes that details may change before the FOA is released.
Can an application be submitted under the NOI?
No. DOE states that no applications can be submitted under the NOI.
Will DOE answer questions about the NOI?
No. DOE explicitly indicates it will not answer questions about the NOI itself.
What is the planned FOA called and how is it referenced?
The planned FOA is referred to as Clean Energy Technology Deployment on Tribal Lands - 2023. The NOI cites DE-FOA-0002974 and also mentions DE-FOA-0002975 in the narrative.
What is the overall purpose of the planned FOA?
The planned FOA was intended to fund practical, on-the-ground projects that deploy clean energy technologies on Tribal Lands to improve energy costs, reliability, and resilience for Tribal communities and facilities.
Is this program focused on research or deployment?
It is focused on deployment rather than basic research. The emphasis is on getting equipment installed, operating, and verified in real Tribal facilities and communities.
What types of projects were expected to be supported?
The NOI describes deployments involving clean energy generation, energy efficiency, energy storage, and integrated energy systems, including systems designed to improve resilience and provide power during outages.
Who is intended to be eligible to apply?
The NOI indicates eligibility was aimed at Tribal entities, specifically Indian Tribes (including Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Alaska Native Village Corporations), Intertribal Organizations, and Tribal Energy Development Organizations.
Why does the source data say "eligible applicants: unrestricted" if the NOI lists Tribal entities?
The source data field lists eligible applicants as "unrestricted," but the NOI narrative narrows the intended applicant pool to Tribal-aligned organizations. The final eligibility rules would be determined by the FOA once released.
What are the Areas of Interest (AOIs)?
The planned FOA described four Areas of Interest that organize project types and needs: (1) Tribal buildings (generation and/or efficiency), (2) community-scale deployments, (3) resilience and emergency preparedness via autonomous integrated energy systems, and (4) electrification for unelectrified Tribal buildings.
What is Area of Interest 1?
Area of Interest 1 focuses on clean energy generating systems and/or energy efficiency measures for Tribal Buildings. Examples described include installing solar PV on a tribal administrative building or making building upgrades such as HVAC improvements, controls, insulation, or other measures that reduce energy use and operating costs.
What is Area of Interest 2?
Area of Interest 2 focuses on community-scale deployments on Tribal Lands, supporting larger systems (including energy storage) that serve broader community needs rather than a single building. Examples described include shared solar, battery systems supporting a distribution segment, or other community-serving generation and storage configurations.
What is Area of Interest 3?
Area of Interest 3 emphasizes resilience and emergency preparedness by supporting integrated energy systems capable of autonomous operation (able to run independently of the traditional centralized electric grid) to keep one or more essential tribal buildings powered during outages or emergencies.
Does Area of Interest 3 relate to microgrids?
Yes. The NOI describes systems aligned with microgrid-like solutions that can island from the grid and maintain service for critical loads.
What is Area of Interest 4?
Area of Interest 4 addresses electrification for Tribal Buildings that currently have no electricity service. It supports integrated energy systems or energy infrastructure that bring power to "unelectrified" Tribal Buildings.
How does the NOI define an "unelectrified" Tribal Building?
An unelectrified Tribal Building is defined as a building not connected to the traditional centralized electric grid and not connected to any autonomous integrated energy system.
How does grid connection status affect which Area of Interest fits?
The NOI makes a key distinction: Areas of Interest 1 through 3 are generally intended for Tribal Buildings that are grid-connected or already connected to an autonomous integrated energy system. Area of Interest 4 is specifically for buildings that are unelectrified (no grid connection and no autonomous integrated system).
How many awards did DOE expect to make?
The NOI indicates DOE expected to make multiple awards, and the source data suggests an expected number of awards around 25.
What was the anticipated period of performance?
The NOI indicates an anticipated period of performance of about two to four years per award.
Is there a required verification period?
Yes. The NOI includes a mandatory 12-month verification period, signaling that DOE expected projects to be installed and then demonstrated and measured over time to confirm performance and operational outcomes.
What award sizes were anticipated?
Award sizes were expected to vary by Area of Interest. The NOI describes anticipated ranges of approximately $100,000 to $2,500,000 for some areas and $250,000 to $5,000,000 for others. The final FOA would govern actual ceilings and floors.
What does it mean that some data fields conflict (for example, "AwardCeiling")?
The source data includes an "AwardCeiling: 2" field, but the NOI narrative provides more detailed expected award ranges. The final FOA would control the binding funding limits and ranges.
When was the FOA expected to be released?
DOE planned to issue the FOA in spring 2023.
How would applicants know when the FOA is released?
The NOI encouraged interested parties to subscribe to the DOE Office of Indian Energy newsletter to receive notification when the FOA went live.
Where would applications be submitted once the FOA is released?
Applications would be accepted only through the IE-Exchange system at ie-exchange.energy.gov, not through the NOI or any other channel.
What preparation steps does the NOI encourage before the FOA is released?
The NOI encourages potential applicants to begin shaping project concepts, lining up partners, verifying site control and building details, and preparing required registrations in advance.
Why does the NOI emphasize registrations?
The NOI notes that federal grant submissions often require several accounts and validation steps that can take time, so applicants were advised to start those registration steps early.
What kinds of outcomes is this opportunity trying to achieve for Tribal communities?
Based on the NOI, the planned FOA aims to help Tribal communities implement tangible clean energy deployments that improve energy costs, reliability, and resilience, including efficiency upgrades, renewable generation, storage, islandable integrated systems for critical services, and electrification for buildings without power.
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| Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office Funding Opportunity Announcement in Support of Hydrogen Shot Apply for DE FOA 0002920 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002920 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $6,000,000 |
| Onsite Energy Technical Assistance Partnerships Apply for DE FOA 0002945 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002945 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $23,000,000 |
| FY23 Reducing Agricultural Carbon Intensity and Protecting Algal Crops (RACIPAC) Apply for DE FOA 0002910 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002910 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) Pilot Demonstrations Apply for DE FOA 0002826 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002826 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $25,000,000 |
| Water Research and Development for Oil and Gas Produced Water and Coal Combustion Residuals Wastewater Associated with Coal Power Plants Apply for DE FOA 0002796 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002796 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $3,275,000 |
| Large Wind Turbine Materials and Manufacturing Apply for DE FOA 0002960 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002960 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $3,000,000 |
| This is a Notice of Intent to issue Funding Opportunity Announcement DE-FOA-0002969 Apply for DE FOA 0002968 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002968 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Advanced Energy Manufacturing and Recycling Grant Program Section 40209 Apply for DE FOA 0002907 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002907 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $100,000,000 |
| Clean Energy Technology Deployment on Tribal Lands - 2023 Apply for DE FOA 0002975 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002975 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program Funding Opportunity Announcement Apply for DE FOA 0002962 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002962 Agency: Department of Energy, Headquarters Category: Energy Funding Amount: $350,000,000 |
| Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Carbon Capture Large-Scale Pilot Projects Funding Opportunity Announcement Apply for DE FOA 0002963 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002963 Agency: Department of Energy, Headquarters Category: Energy Funding Amount: $136,000,000 |
| Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas Funding Opportunity Announcement Apply for DE FOA 0002970 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002970 Agency: Department of Energy, Headquarters Category: Energy Funding Amount: $100,000,000 |
| Industrial Decarbonization and Emissions Reduction Demonstration-to-Deployment Funding Opportunity Announcement Apply for DE FOA 0002936 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002936 Agency: Department of Energy, Headquarters Category: Energy Funding Amount: $500,000,000 |
| Nuclear Legislative Working Group (NLWG) Apply for DE FOA 0002984 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002984 Agency: Department of Energy, Idaho Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $750,000 |
| Nuclear Energy Tribal Working Group (NETWG) Apply for DE FOA 0002983 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002983 Agency: Department of Energy, Idaho Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| FY23 Conversion Research and Development Funding Opportunity Announcement Apply for DE FOA 0002946 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002946 Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office Category: Energy Funding Amount: $4,000,000 |
| GRID OVERHAUL WITH PROACTIVE, HIGH-SPEED UNDERGROUNDING FOR RELIABILITY, RESILIENCE, AND SECURITY SBIR/STTR (GOPHURRS SBIR/STTR) Apply for DE FOA 0003048 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003048 Agency: Department of Energy, Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy Category: Energy Funding Amount: $4,241,580 |
| GRID OVERHAUL WITH PROACTIVE, HIGH-SPEED UNDERGROUNDING FOR RELIABILITY, RESILIENCE, AND SECURITY (GOPHURRS) Apply for DE FOA 0003047 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003047 Agency: Department of Energy, Advanced Research Projects Agency Energy Category: Energy Funding Amount: $10,000,000 |
| Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - State Manufacturing Leadership Program (Section 40534) Apply for DE FOA 0002969 Funding Number: DE FOA 0002969 Agency: Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory Category: Energy Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Bipartisan Infrastructure Law - Clean Energy Demonstration Program on Current and Former Mine Land Funding Opportunity Announcement Apply for DE FOA 0003009 Funding Number: DE FOA 0003009 Agency: Department of Energy, Headquarters Category: Energy Funding Amount: $150,000,000 |
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