Request for Information (RFI) DE-FOA-0003251: Clean Energy Careers For All Program | DE FOA 0003251

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003251

Request for Information (RFI) DE-FOA-0003251, titled the Clean Energy Careers For All Program, is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) information-gathering effort run through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and administered by the Golden Field Office. It is not a grant competition and not a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), meaning DOE is not accepting applications and does not plan to make awards under this notice. Instead, DOE is asking the public to provide feedback that can help shape future education and workforce programming connected to the clean energy economy.

The RFI is grounded in the Biden Administration's equity and Justice40 priorities. DOE highlights that the clean energy transition should not only cut emissions and expand new technologies, but also expand access and opportunity for communities and individuals who have been historically underserved, marginalized, or adversely impacted by poverty and inequality. The document specifically points to overburdened, underserved, and underrepresented groups, including people of color and people with disabilities, and frames equity, civil rights, and equal opportunity as a shared responsibility across government. In practical terms, the RFI signals that DOE wants clean energy investments and workforce pipelines to lower barriers to entry and ensure that disadvantaged communities share in the benefits of the transition.

EERE situates this RFI within its broader mission of supporting research, development, demonstration, and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. DOE funds climate and energy work through competitive solicitations, national laboratory efforts, and programs that strengthen the wider innovation ecosystem. That ecosystem includes early-career support, workforce development, entrepreneurship programs, and technical and financial assistance that help communities and regions participate in clean energy growth. Against that backdrop, this RFI focuses on the people side of the transition: how to prepare, inspire, and support individuals to enter and succeed in clean energy careers.

The central purpose of the RFI is to solicit public input on educational and professional development programming that is created and delivered by diverse science and engineering non-profits. DOE is specifically interested in programs that motivate students, alumni, and working professionals to explore, pursue, and succeed in STEM-related clean energy careers. The emphasis on non-profits suggests DOE is looking closely at community-rooted and mission-driven models that may already be reaching populations that traditional pipelines often miss. The RFI also recognizes that the rapid expansion of the clean energy economy is a timely chance to broaden participation in the industry, rather than replicating the same representation gaps found in other technical fields.

Submission instructions are straightforward and fairly specific because DOE wants responses in a consistent format. Responses had to be emailed to CECFA@ee.doe.gov by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, January 26, 2024. DOE required electronic-only submissions, provided as attachments to an email, and recommended zipping files larger than 25 MB to avoid delivery problems. The response itself had to be in Microsoft Word (.docx) format, limited to no more than six pages, using 12-point font and one-inch margins. The eligibility field is listed as unrestricted, which is consistent with an RFI that is open to broad public comment rather than limited applicant types.

From a funding data standpoint, the notice is categorized as discretionary and lists the funding instrument type as "Other," with activity areas spanning education, employment and training, energy, information/statistics, and science and technology research and development. It is associated with CFDA number 81.117. Because it is an RFI and not a FOA, the listing shows no expected awards. Overall, the key takeaway is that DOE used this notice to gather practical, on-the-ground insight about what works in clean energy STEM career preparation and professional development, especially for groups and communities that federal policy is aiming to include more intentionally in the clean energy transition.

• The Golden Field Office in the education, employment, labor and training, energy, information and statistics, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Request for Information (RFI) DE-FOA-0003251: Clean Energy Careers For All Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.117.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-11-22.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-01-26. (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 $1.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.

Apply for DE FOA 0003251

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