First Steps Toward Developing Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency on Tribal Lands – 2016 | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the "First Steps Toward Developing Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency on Tribal Lands - 2016" funding opportunity?

It is a discretionary grant program from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), administered through the DOE Office of Indian Energy (Golden Field Office), under Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) number DOE FOA 0001621. The program is designed to help Tribal communities take practical early-stage actions that lead to measurable progress in renewable energy development, energy efficiency, and local capacity to plan and manage energy initiatives.

2) What is the main purpose of this FOA?

The main purpose is to fund foundational "first steps" work that positions Tribes to successfully develop and deploy energy solutions later. The focus is on planning, analysis, organizational development, training, and policy work, rather than immediately funding large construction projects.

3) Who is eligible to apply?

The FOA invites applications from Indian Tribes, including Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Village Corporations, as well as Tribal Energy Resource Development Organizations.

4) What kinds of projects or activities does this FOA support?

This FOA supports early-stage, practical activities that produce specific outcomes and tangible deliverables. Activities can align with one or more of the six topic areas described in the FOA, such as analyses, baselines, plans, policies/codes, organizational development, and training.

5) What are the six topic areas under this FOA?

The work is organized into six topic areas:

• Topic Area 1: Energy options analyses (e.g., renewable resource potential, technology pathways, feasibility considerations, strategic choices).
• Topic Area 2: Establishing a baseline of current energy use and identifying energy efficiency options (e.g., tracking energy use, identifying cost-effective measures to reduce consumption).
• Topic Area 3: Developing or strengthening Tribal energy organizations (e.g., internal structures, staffing plans, governance processes, capabilities to manage energy programs).
• Topic Area 4: Climate resiliency planning (e.g., understanding climate-related risks to energy systems and creating resilience plans).
• Topic Area 5: Developing policies, regulations, and codes (e.g., frameworks that reduce energy use or support responsible energy development and easier project permitting/management).
• Topic Area 6: Skills development and training related to energy use and development (e.g., building practical expertise for long-term success).

6) Can an application address more than one topic area?

Yes. Applicants can propose activities aligned with one or more of the six topic areas.

7) Is this funding meant for construction of large energy projects?

No. The FOA emphasizes "first steps" and is designed to fund foundational planning, analysis, capacity-building, training, and policy work that prepares a Tribe for future development and deployment of energy solutions.

8) What does DOE mean by "specific outcomes"?

DOE emphasizes that proposed activities should result in tangible end products or measurable results, rather than general discussions. The intent is that, by the end of the grant, the Tribe is more prepared to implement strategic energy solutions, pursue future funding, and execute energy projects with stronger local capacity and clearer direction.

9) What are examples of deliverables that fit this FOA?

Examples implied by the FOA include completed analyses, baseline assessments, formal plans (including climate resiliency plans), draft or adopted policies/codes, established organizational structures and processes, and documented training outcomes.

10) How much total funding did DOE expect to make available?

DOE expected to make approximately $2 million to $3 million in total federal funding available, depending on appropriations.

11) How many awards did DOE anticipate making?

DOE anticipated making roughly 8 to 20 awards.

12) What is the expected funding range per award?

Individual awards were expected to range from $50,000 to $250,000 in DOE funds.

13) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The maximum (ceiling) amount was $250,000 in DOE funds.

14) Is there a minimum request amount?

Yes. Applications requesting less than $50,000 in DOE funds were not eligible for consideration.

15) What is the expected project length (period of performance)?

Most projects were expected to run about one to two years, with a maximum period of performance of three years.

16) Could DOE decide not to fund every topic area?

Yes. DOE noted it could choose to make awards in one, multiple, or none of the topic areas, depending on the application pool and program priorities.

17) Is cost share required?

Yes. Recipients must provide at least 10 percent of the total allowable project cost from non-federal sources, unless a law specifically allows otherwise.

18) What does the 10 percent cost share requirement apply to?

It applies to the total allowable project cost. DOE funds would cover the remaining share, and the recipient (and/or partners) must contribute at least 10 percent from non-federal sources.

19) What types of cost share are allowed?

Cost share can be provided as cash or as in-kind contributions, as long as they occur during the grant period and meet allowability rules.

20) What are examples of acceptable in-kind cost share mentioned in the FOA?

Examples include contributed labor time, unrecovered indirect costs, unrecovered facilities and administrative costs, the rental value of buildings or equipment, and third-party donated services and resources, provided they meet allowability requirements and occur during the grant period.

21) When was the FOA posted?

The opportunity was posted on August 16, 2016.

22) When were applications due?

Applications were due October 20, 2016, by 5:00 pm Eastern Time.

23) How were applications required to be submitted?

Applications had to be submitted through the EERE eXCHANGE system at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov.

24) Do applicants need to register in EERE eXCHANGE before submitting?

Yes. The system requires applicants to register and create an account before submitting an application.

25) Was there an informational webinar for potential applicants?

Yes. DOE scheduled an informational webinar on September 6, 2016, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm Mountain Time.

26) What topics was the informational webinar intended to cover?

The webinar was intended to walk potential applicants through eligibility, required application components, cost share expectations, how to ask questions, and how DOE would evaluate and select applications for funding.

27) Where should applicants look for official definitions, detailed eligibility rules, and instructions?

The FOA directs applicants to the full announcement in EERE eXCHANGE for official definitions, detailed eligibility rules, and instructions, including where to submit questions about program content or the submission process.

28) What is the overall intended result for a Tribe by the end of the grant?

The overall intent is that, at the end of the grant, a Tribe is better prepared to implement strategic energy solutions, pursue future funding, and carry out energy projects with stronger local capacity and clearer direction.