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.Apply for DE FOA 0003251
- 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.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is DE-FOA-0003251 (Clean Energy Careers For All Program)?
DE-FOA-0003251 is a Request for Information (RFI) titled the Clean Energy Careers For All Program. It is an information-gathering notice from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to collect public feedback that can help shape future education and workforce programming connected to the clean energy economy.
Is this a grant or funding opportunity?
No. This notice is not a grant competition and not a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA). DOE is not accepting applications and does not plan to make awards under this notice.
What is the purpose of this RFI?
The purpose is to solicit public input on educational and professional development programming created and delivered by diverse science and engineering non-profits, particularly programs that motivate and support students, alumni, and working professionals to explore, pursue, and succeed in STEM-related clean energy careers.
Who is running and administering the RFI?
The RFI is a DOE effort run through the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) and administered by DOE's Golden Field Office.
What kind of feedback is DOE looking for?
DOE is seeking practical, on-the-ground insight about what works in clean energy STEM career preparation and professional development, with an emphasis on models and approaches that can broaden participation in the clean energy workforce.
What types of programs are most relevant to this RFI?
The RFI focuses on educational and professional development programs associated with the clean energy economy and STEM pathways, particularly those delivered by diverse science and engineering non-profits and designed to help people enter and succeed in clean energy careers.
Why does the RFI emphasize non-profits?
The notice highlights programming created and delivered by diverse science and engineering non-profits, signaling interest in community-rooted and mission-driven models that may already be reaching populations that traditional pipelines often miss.
How does this RFI relate to equity and Justice40?
The RFI is grounded in the Biden Administration's equity and Justice40 priorities. DOE emphasizes that the clean energy transition should expand access and opportunity for communities and individuals who have been historically underserved, marginalized, or adversely impacted by poverty and inequality.
Which communities and groups are specifically referenced in the notice?
The notice 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.
Does the RFI connect to DOE's broader clean energy mission?
Yes. EERE places this RFI within its broader mission supporting research, development, demonstration, and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies, alongside other efforts that strengthen the innovation ecosystem, including workforce development and technical assistance.
What are the activity areas associated with this notice?
The notice spans activity areas including education, employment and training, energy, information/statistics, and science and technology research and development.
What is the funding instrument type and does it include expected awards?
The notice lists the funding instrument type as "Other" and shows no expected awards, consistent with an RFI that is not a FOA and is not making awards.
What does "eligibility: unrestricted" mean here?
How were responses supposed to be submitted?
Responses had to be submitted by email to CECFA@ee.doe.gov as electronic-only submissions provided as attachments to an email.
What was the submission deadline?
Responses were due by 5 p.m. Eastern Time on Friday, January 26, 2024.
What file format and length requirements applied to responses?
DOE required the response to be in Microsoft Word (.docx) format, limited to no more than six pages, using 12-point font and one-inch margins.
Were there any special instructions for large files?
Yes. DOE recommended zipping files larger than 25 MB to avoid delivery problems.
What is the CFDA number listed for this notice?
The notice is associated with CFDA number 81.117.
Is DOE using this RFI to commit to future funding?
The notice is explicitly an information-gathering effort and not a funding opportunity. The intent described is to use feedback to help shape future education and workforce programming, not to accept applications or make awards under this notice.
What is the main takeaway for organizations and the public?
The key takeaway is that DOE used this RFI to gather insight into effective clean energy STEM education and career development approaches, especially those that lower barriers to entry and help ensure disadvantaged communities share in the benefits of the clean energy transition.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Education, Employment, Labor and Training, Energy, Information and Statistics, Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Child Friendly Family Visiting Spaces in Jails and Prisons
Previous opportunity: C5 + ONE (Opening Networks through English) Educator Workshop (C5 + O.N.E Ed)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for DE FOA 0003251
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "DE FOA 0003251", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.