The Department of Energy Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs has announced a funding opportunity titled "Tribal Clean Energy Planning and Development - 2025" to support clean energy initiatives on Tribal Lands. The program is designed to help Indian Tribes, Intertribal Organizations, and Tribal Energy Development Organizations overcome barriers to energy resource development and promote energy sovereignty, reduce costs, and build sustainable infrastructure. This initiative is grounded in the Indian Tribal Energy Development and Self Determination Act of 2005.

Funding is available for three distinct topic areas: clean energy planning, feasibility and viability assessment of clean energy projects, and the design and development of clean energy projects. The program supports activities such as strategic energy planning, energy audits, climate resiliency planning, and business planning for clean energy deployment. Award amounts range from $100,000 to $2,500,000 per project, depending on the topic area. The performance period for funded projects will be approximately two to three years, and the total available funding under this opportunity is approximately $25 million, with an estimated 20 to 40 awards expected.

Eligible applicants include federally recognized Indian Tribes, Intertribal Organizations, Alaska Native Regional and Village Corporations, and Tribal Energy Development Organizations. All projects must be conducted on Tribal Lands, as defined in the FOA. A cost share of 10 percent of the total project cost is generally required, though applicants may request a reduction to zero percent based on specific economic criteria such as poverty rates or median household income.

The application package includes required forms, technical volumes, a budget justification workbook, eligibility documentation, and other supporting materials. Applications will be evaluated on technical merit, the potential impact of the project, and the capability and readiness of the applicant to execute the proposed activities. Applicants may submit multiple applications, provided each is for a distinct project and addresses only one topic area.

The DOE emphasizes that applications must be complete and adhere to all formatting and content requirements. Required registrations in systems such as SAM and FedConnect must be completed before submission. DOE will provide feedback on all eligible applications, and successful applicants will be notified during the summer of 2025, with award negotiations expected to follow within 90 days.

This funding opportunity builds on DOE’s prior investments of over $120 million in tribal energy projects across the United States. The program seeks to maximize the deployment of clean, reliable, and affordable energy solutions for tribal communities. Additional information and resources, including templates and guidelines, are available on the IE-Exchange portal. For questions, applicants can contact the DOE Office of Indian Energy via the email provided in the FOA.