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American-Made Program

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Tribal Energy Capacity Expansion Prize

Supporting Tribal growth and involvement in energy infrastructure decision-making activities
Energy, Environment & Resources
stage:
Phase 1B Launch and Submissions Open
prize:
$6,000,000
Energy, Environment & Resources
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Summary

Prize Overview

Tribal Nations and supporting organizations do critical work to engage their communities in important decisions around energy infrastructure and its impacts on economic opportunities, cultural resources, and the homelands and spaces that they steward. The $6 million Tribal Energy Capacity Expansion (TECE) Prize, funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and facilitated through the National Laboratory of the Rockies, addresses an urgent need for additional resources to help Tribal Nations grow their capacity in energy infrastructure permitting and decision-making. 

This prize is technology-neutral, meaning that participating teams may focus on capacity needs related to any energy technology. All submissions should focus on expanding capacity to represent Tribal priorities in energy permitting and decision-making activities. The prize will provide winning teams with cash awards and direct technical assistance, including peer learning activities. 

Key topics that applicants may pursue include but are not limited to: 

  • Developing greater capacity and internal expertise to participate in energy infrastructure permitting and related processes, 
  • Advancing understanding of workforce, cultural, and economic considerations relevant to Tribal participation in permitting and development processes,
  • Exploring opportunities for tools and technology, including the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), to improve permitting processes, reduce costs and capacity needs, or shorten project timelines, 
  • Pursuing the capacity needed to engage in energy considerations that are relevant to other federal funding opportunities, such as those administered by the DOE Office of Indian Energy. 

Submissions are due no later than 11:59 p.m. AKT on Dec. 4. 

Phase Structure

This $6 million prize has three phases that will run from 2024 through 2028. Some participating teams have already been selected as Phase 1A winners. Additional winning teams will be selected as Phase 1B winners. A single combined pool of all winning teams from Phase 1A and Phase 1B will advance to Phase 2.

PhaseNumber of WinnersAward per WinnerTechnical Assistance

Phase 1— Capacity Needs 

Consisting of 2 rounds:

  1. Phase 1A (Concluded) 
  2. Phase 1B
Up to 14 winners 
(total for two rounds)

$40,000

40 hours

Phase 2— Capacity Development 

Up to 14 winners

Up to four winners may receive a bonus prize for collaboration among multiple Tribes.

$200,000

Bonus: $150,000

150 hours

Phase 3 —Implementation 

Up to 14 winners 

Up to four winners may receive a bonus prize for collaboration among multiple Tribes. 

$125,000

Bonus: $50,000

No direct technical assistance 

During Phase 1 – Capacity Needs, applicants will identify current capacity gaps affecting their ability to participate in priority energy development areas. Awardees will receive funding, technical assistance, and an invitation to enter Phase 2.  

In Phase 2 - Capacity Development, applicants will expand their plans to build capacity and take action around energy development processes. Activities in this phase include conducting relevant assessments, engaging with their communities, and developing partnerships. Phase 2 winners will receive additional funds and technical support to implement their plans and are invited to enter Phase 3.  

In Phase 3 - Implementation, teams will carry out their capacity-building and energy action plans, focusing on activities like energy development processes (including but not limited to permitting, leasing, and interconnection), economic development, workforce training, cultural protection, environmental monitoring, and the use of Traditional Ecological Knowledge. Final awards will be based on the success and impact of these efforts.

 

Informational Webinars

Register today to attend one of the informational webinars to learn more about the Tribal Energy Capacity Expansion Prize. Webinar attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions at the end of the event during the live Q&A portion. 

  • Register for the Oct. 13 at 3 p.m. ET webinar 
  • Register for the Nov. 4 at 3 p.m. ET webinar

A recording of the October webinar will be posted on HeroX after the event. 

Prize Guidelines

Please review the official rules document for the complete prize process and instructions for applying. 

If you want to receive updates on the prize or have any questions, please subscribe by using the follow feature on the HeroX platform or message a prize administrator directly at . 

Who Can Participate?  

All federally recognized Tribes are eligible to apply for awards. For full eligibility requirements, read the official rules document.

 

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Timeline
Updates1

Challenge Updates

1 update
September 2026
NLR Prize Moderator · Sept. 29, 10:01 a.m. new

Prize Opened for New Submissions

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. 

 

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