Government Grants

Below you'll find information on funding opportunities from various government entities:

• Tribal Energy Program
• Other DOE opportunities
• Federal funding — including:
  • American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
  • Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants — this link goes to a new page
• Department of Interior
• Department of Agriculture
• Department of Commerce
• Environmental Protection Agency
• Department of Housing and Urban Development
• Low-income energy assistance

Some of the documents listed on this page are available as Adobe Acrobat PDFs. Download Adobe Reader.

Tribal Energy Program Opportunities

As an implementing arm of the Tribal Energy Program, the Golden Field Office solicits, awards, administers, and manages financial assistance agreements for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects on tribal lands. For a general overview of the financial assistance process and a guide for obtaining financial assistance through the U.S. Department of Energy, read Federal Financial Assistance Opportunities at the Department of Energy (on DOE's E-center site).

Funding Opportunity Announcements

DOE's Tribal Energy Program is currently seeking applications for funding from federally recognized tribes, tribal consortia, Alaska Native villages or regional or village corporations, and Tribal Energy Resource Development Organizations. See each funding opportunity announcement (FOA) below for a complete description of eligibility requirements.

To view or print the full announcement, select the FOA PDF link below. The best way to get help with your grant application is to use the "Submit Question" link on the left side of the FOA summary page.

• Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Deployment in Indian Country (FOA number DE-PS36-09GO99014)
  FOA summary page. Complete FOA (PDF 304 KB).
  Submittal deadline: April 30, 2009.
  THIS DEADLINE HAS BEEN EXTENDED.
  Eligible projects: (1) installation of efficiency improvements to existing tribally owned buildings — including energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy systems for building heating or cooling, (2) preconstruction activities for renewable energy projects, and (3) construction of renewable energy systems for power production.

• Assessing the Feasibility of Renewable Energy Development and Energy Efficiency Deployment on Tribal Lands (FOA number DE-PS36-09GO99024)
  FOA summary page. Complete FOA (PDF 242 KB).
  Submittal deadline for applications: April 16, 2009.
  Deadline for supporting materials (see FOA): May 15, 2009.
  Under this FOA, DOE is soliciting applications to conduct feasibility studies for either (1) the implementation of building efficiency measures — including energy efficiency improvements and/or renewable energy systems to meet the building's heating or cooling load, or (2) the development of economically sustainable renewable energy installations.

• First Steps Toward Tribal Weatherization — Human Capacity Development (FOA number DE-PS36-09GO99022)
  FOA summary page. Complete FOA (PDF 761 KB).
  Submittal deadline: May 7, 2009.
  Under this FOA, DOE intends to support tribes in the establishment of tribal weatherization programs, building weatherization skills and capabilities, and positioning them to provide weatherization services to their tribal members and potentially neighboring tribes. Eligible activities may include, but are not limited to (1) technical and administrative weatherization education and training, and/or (2) skills development through apprenticeships or on-the-job training at an existing weatherization provider.

Applying for Funding

Funding through the Tribal Energy Program is via a competitive process. Each funding opportunity announcement will include instructions on how to apply, application content, and the criteria by which applications will be selected for funding.

Other DOE Opportunities

For financial assistance opportunities through DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), see EERE Financial Opportunities. The site includes information on the funding and award process, types of financial assistance, and how to apply for these opportunities.

For contracting and financial assistance opportunities with the U.S. Department of Energy, visit DOE's e-Center. The e-center is DOE's Web site for information on doing business with the Department of Energy, including viewing current business opportunities, registering to submit proposals, and obtaining information and guidance on the acquisition and financial assistance award process.

Federal Government Funding Opportunities

For federal government grant opportunities, access Grants.gov

To access procurement opportunities offered throughout the federal government, access FedBizOpps.

Additionally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has produced a 59-page guide to help find financial and technical assistance for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. The publication provides an extensive list of grants available from EPA, other federal agencies, state governments, and private foundations. Grants are organized by topic, with detailed descriptions and contact information for each grant. The document also provides links to online resources with more information. Funds are available for such activities as installing energy-efficient equipment in buildings, purchasing fuel-efficient vehicles for fleets, and promoting renewable energy installations or purchases. Funding is also available to develop related education and outreach materials. See the EPA guide, Funding Opportunities: A Directory of Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, and Environmental Protection Assistance Programs (2006) (PDF 899 KB).

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Opportunities

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides various funding opportunities for local and tribal governments, as well as tax incentives and bond programs relevant to clean energy efforts. Local and tribal governments should refer to guidelines published by the federal agency administering each funding stream for more detail about allowable activities. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: A Guide to Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Opportunities for Local and Tribal Governments (PDF 148 KB), published by EPA in February 2009, provides information on those opportunities.

U.S. Department of Interior Grant Opportunities

For energy and mineral development grant opportunities or for technical assistance provided through DOI's Division of Energy and Mineral Development (DEMD), contact the Division at (303) 969-5270 or write to 12136 West Bayaud Avenue suite 300, Lakewood, CO 80228.

Grant to Develop Tribal Energy and Mineral Resources

Submittal deadline: June 23, 2009.

The Energy and Mineral Development Program (EMDP) provides funding to tribes with the mission goal of assessing, evaluating, and promoting energy and mineral resources on Indian trust lands for the economic benefit of Indian mineral owners. To achieve these goals, the Department of the Interior's Office of Indian Energy and Economic Development (IEED), through its Division of Energy and Mineral Development (DEMD) office, is soliciting proposals from tribes. The Department will use a competitive evaluation process to select several proposed projects to receive an award.

For more information, see the March 2009 Federal Register Notice: "Grant Program To Assess, Evaluate and Promote Development of Tribal Energy and Mineral Resources" (PDF 173 KB) or the news page on the Tribal Energy and Environmental Information Clearinghouse (TEEIC) Web site.

The TEEIC Web site provides information about the environmental effects of energy development on tribal lands. The site includes information about energy resource development and associated environmental impacts and mitigation measures; guidance for conducting site-specific environmental assessments and developing monitoring programs; information about applicable federal laws and regulations; and federal and tribal points of contact.

U.S. Department of Agriculture Grant Opportunities

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides Rural Business Enterprise Grants to public bodies, private nonprofit corporations, and Federally-recognized Indian Tribal groups to finance and facilitate development of small and emerging private business enterprises located in any area other than a city or town that has a population of greater than 50,000 inhabitants and the urbanized area contiguous and adjacent to such a city or town.

USDA provides Rural Business Opportunity Grants to public body, nonprofit corporation, Indian tribe, or cooperative with members that are primarily rural residents to promote sustainable economic development in rural communities with exceptional needs. This is accomplished by making grants to pay costs of providing economic planning for rural communities, technical assistance for rural businesses, or training for rural entrepreneurs or economic development officials.

U.S. Department of Commerce Grant Opportunities

The U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) offers grants for Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) development grants (PDF 212 KB). Technical assistance and funding is also available for economic development.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Grant Opportunities

For funding opportunities available through EPA, see the American Indian Environmental Office's Tribal Grants Web page.

U.S. Housing and Urban Development Grant Opportunities

For U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants for Indian housing and community development, see Public and Indian Housing Grants.

Low-Income Energy Assistance

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) offers assistance to low-income households to meet their home heating and cooling needs through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). If your Tribe is not a LIHEAP tribal grantee, you may need to contact state grantees for assistance.

The DOE Weatherization Assistance Program reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes while ensuring their health and safety. The program is implemented on a state and local level through a network of more than 900 local weatherization service providers.