menu

American-Made Challenges

 8,060

HBCU Clean Energy Education Prize

Advancing clean energy programming, opportunities, and connections for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
stage:
Won
prize:
$7,750,000
more
Summary
Timeline
Updates10
Forum
Teams146
Resources
FAQ
Summary

Overview

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) launched the HBCU Clean Energy Education Prize to help develop advanced clean energy programming opportunities and connections for HBCUs across the United States. The prize focuses on three primary goals: 

  1. Inspire K-12 and community college students to engage with and learn about clean energy subjects through HBCU-hosted educational programs.
  2. Initiate partnerships between HBCUs and other universities with proven clean energy focused programs to build new cross-university curriculum enhancements or exchange programs, along with degree and certificate programs.
  3. Integrate and build programming between university and industry partners to advance career opportunities for HBCU students in the clean energy field. 

The prize aims to help HBCUs achieve these goals through two distinct prize tracks—the Partnerships Track and Inspire Track. HBCUs of all sizes are invited to apply to help foster the next generation of the clean energy workforce.

 

Partnerships Track - Now Accepting Submissions

The Partnerships Track supports building partnerships between HBCUs and other universities, government agencies, and industry leaders to inform new programs and provide professional opportunities that will equip HBCU students with the skills needed to succeed in clean energy careers. 

Phases

The Partnerships Track is comprised of three phases. For more information on the Partnerships Track phases, please read the official rules document.

  • Phase 1: Competitors will develop a plan of action, provide evidence of partnership commitment, describe the goals and benefits of partnerships, and discuss how the partnerships will positively impact HBCU students. Up to 10 HBCU winners will each win a $100,000 cash award and be eligible to compete in Phase 2.
  • Phase 2: Competitors will showcase how they were able to implement their plans, advance their partnerships, and successfully develop new programming that will help provide improved educational and career opportunities to HBCU students. Up to 10 HBCU winners will split a total prize pool of up to $4,000,000 and be eligible to compete in Phase 3.
  • Phase 3: Competitors will provide further updates on the implementation of their partnerships and programming. Up to three HBCU winners will split a total prize pool of up to $1,750,000.

Key Dates

Anticipated dates are subject to change. For the final dates, please read the official rules document.

  • Phase 1 Launches: August 29, 2023
  • Informational Webinar: September 19, 2023
  • Phase 1 Submissions Due: December 19, 2023
  • Phase 1 Winners Announced: February 2024 (anticipated)
  • Phase 2 Launches: February 2024 (anticipated)
  • Phase 2 Submissions Due: June 2024 (anticipated)
  • Phase 2 Winners Announced: July 2024 (anticipated)
  • Phase 3 Launches: July 2024 (anticipated)
  • Phase 3 Submissions Due: December 2024 (anticipated)
  • Phase 3 Winners Announced: January 2025 (anticipated).

Eligibility

All HBCUs in the United States and U.S. territories are eligible to apply to one or both tracks. For more details, please read the official rules document.

Informational Webinar

For more information on the Partnerships Track, please view the recording of the Partnerships Track informational webinar.

Resource Partners Webinar

In early October, organizations that have submitted the Resource Partners Interest Form will be invited to present at the Resource Partners Webinar. This webinar will be an opportunity for competitors to learn more about organizations that are interested in partnering and the resources they can provide. The date of the webinar will be announced in the coming weeks.

 

Inspire Track - Closed

The Inspire Track supports the development or expansion of HBCU-hosted clean energy summer or academic break programs for K-12 and community college students. These programs will help explain basic concepts of clean energy technologies and illuminate possible clean energy educational and career pathways for students.

Phases

The Inspire Track is comprised of two phases. For more information on the Inspire Track phases, please read the official rules document.

  • Phase 1: Competitors will work to develop educational plans for clean energy summer or academic break programs. Up to 20 winners will each receive a $40,000 cash award and will be eligible to compete in Phase 2.
  • Phase 2: Phase 1 winners will continue to develop program plans, further implement the programs, and provide initial metrics to showcase program impact. Up to 20 winners will each receive a $10,000 cash award.

Key Dates

Anticipated dates are subject to change. For the final dates, please read the official rules document.

  • Phase 1 Launches: May 8, 2023
  • Phase 1 Submissions Due: August 24, 2023
  • Phase 1 Winners Announced: October 2023 (anticipated)
  • Phase 2 Submissions Due: June 21, 2024 (anticipated)
  • Phase 2 Winners Announced: July 2024 (anticipated)

Eligibility

All HBCUs in the United States and U.S. territories are eligible to apply to one or both tracks. For more details, please read the official rules document.

Informational Webinar

For more information on the Inspire Track, please view the recording of the Inspire Track informational webinar.

 

 

Interested in getting the latest information about DOE's work in diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) in STEM? Sign up for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy’s DEIA in STEM Updates newsletter.


Guidelines

Please review the official rules for the complete application process and instructions for competing. 
Follow the challenge page to receive the latest updates. For any questions, please use the contact feature on the HeroX platform or message us directly at .

Timeline
Updates10

Challenge Updates

Register for Resource Partners Webinar

Sept. 25, 2023, 1:03 p.m. PDT by NREL Prize Administrator

Hi, challengers!

Next week, on Oct. 5 at 12 p.m. ET, we will be hosting the Resource Partners Webinar. If you represent an HBCU interested in competing in the Partnerships Track, and need help connecting with interested organizations, we encourage you to register for this webinar! A diverse group of organizations representing universities, nonprofits, and industry will present their backgrounds and available resources.

For more information on the organizations that will be presenting, please check out the Resource Partners Contact Info List in the Resources section. 

If you have any questions, please email .


Partnerships Track Informational Webinar Recording Now Available

Sept. 21, 2023, 12:34 p.m. PDT by NREL Prize Administrator

Hello, challengers!
Thank you to all who attended the Partnerships Track informational webinar. The recording is now available on YouTube and in the Resources section. 

If you have any additional questions about the track or about connecting with a resource partner, please email .

 


Registration Reminder: Partnerships Track Informational Webinar

Sept. 18, 2023, 1:45 p.m. PDT by NREL Prize Administrator

Hi, challengers!

Remember to register for the Partnerships Track informational webinar tomorrow, Sep. 19, at 1 p.m. ET. Presenters will give an overview of the track including the phases, submission requirements, and resources for getting started. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions.

If you have any questions, please email .


Partnerships Track Now Open

Aug. 31, 2023, 1:07 p.m. PDT by NREL Prize Administrator

Hi, challengers!

The Partnerships Track is now open! Now is the time to start planning and reaching out to potential partner organizations. There is a list of contact information for organizations that have expressed interested in partnering with HBCUs in the Resources section. You are welcome to reach out to organizations on the list as well as those not on the list. Organizations interested in being added to the resource partner contact list should fill out the Resource Partner Interest Form located in the Resources section. These organizations will be invited to present at a webinar in early October to share more information with competitors. Lastly, competitors and interested partner organizations are encouraged to register for the Partnerships Track informational webinar on Sep. 19, 2023, at 1 p.m. ET. Presenters will discuss the track’s phases, submission requirements, and deadlines, and there will also be an opportunity for Q&A. 

Please refer to the official rules document for instructions for competing in this track. If you have any questions, please email .


Deadline Extended to 8 p.m. ET

Aug. 24, 2023, 1:58 p.m. PDT by NREL Prize Administrator

Hi, challengers!

We have extended the Inspire Track Phase 1 submission deadline to today at 8 p.m. ET. Please contact us if you are having technical difficulties with your upload. We appreciate the hard work you are putting into getting your submissions in and we look forward to reviewing them.

If you have any questions, please email .


Forum
Teams146
Resources
FAQ