Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Integrated Energy Systems Office opened the Tribal Energy Capacity Expansion (TECE) Prize to federally recognized Tribal entities, including Alaska Native Villages, regional and Village corporations, and multi-Tribe collaborative teams.
Offering $6 million in cash prizes, this three-phase prize aims to support the involvement of Tribal Nations in decision-making processes for the development of all types of energy infrastructure. Submissions may relate to any energy technology or combination of technologies, including associated activities and infrastructure, such as large energy end-user projects (e.g., data centers) and supply chain development.
Along with cash prizes, technical assistance is offered to the winning teams throughout the prize to support the development and implementation of the solutions proposed in each team’s application. The prize also encourages collaboration among multiple Tribal Nations that are addressing the same types of energy development or capacity needs to expand capabilities and collective resources.
Key areas of capacity building that may be pursued as part of this prize include, but are not limited to, developing resources to ensure that potential economic benefits of energy and associated infrastructure development will flow to Tribal communities; exploring opportunities for tools and technology, including the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning to improve permitting processes, reduce costs and capacity needs, or shorten project timelines; and advancing the understanding of workforce, cultural, and economic considerations relevant to Tribal participation in energy permitting and development processes.
Through this prize, Tribes will build capacity and pursue activities that are relevant to other federal funding opportunities, such as those administered by the DOE Office of Indian Energy.
With Phase 1B now open for new submissions, applicants will submit a short summary of areas of highest-priority need or concern to the Tribe related to energy decision-making or permitting, current capabilities to address these needs or concerns, and anticipated internal capacity-building efforts. Based on the summary of the needs and capabilities, up to eight teams will each be awarded $40,000 cash and offered 40 hours of technical assistance, which the awardees can use to build or investigate capacity in the areas of interest and develop plans related to the second phase of this effort.
The Phase 1B winning teams will be invited to enter Phase 2 alongside the previously awarded Phase 1A winners, where they will create a more detailed capacity development and energy action plan, refine their priority focus areas, and identify possible impacts related to energy development.
Aligned with the Jan. 20, 2025, Presidential Action “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential,” this prize encourages participation from Alaska Native Villages and regional and Village corporations, but it is open to all federally recognized Tribal applicants and intertribal organizations.
For a detailed overview and the opportunity to ask questions about the prize, register today to attend an informational webinar on Oct. 13 at 3 p.m. ET or Nov. 4 at 3 p.m. ET. Interested applicants are also encouraged to read the official rules document.
Submissions for Phase 1B of the TECE Prize are due by Dec. 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. AKT.
