branded graphic for the Solar Energy Technology Office "Advancing Equity through Workforce Partnerships" funding opportunity.

Office: Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO)
FOA number: DE-FOA-0002769
Link to apply: Apply on EERE Exchange
FOA Amount: $10 million

On July 27, 2022, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the Advancing Equity Through Workforce Partnerships funding opportunity, which will award $10 million for the development of collaborative workforce programs that will facilitate the rapid deployment of solar energy technologies while supporting an inclusive workforce with opportunities for union membership. This opportunity is funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will enable more members of disadvantaged communities and energy justice populations to pursue careers in the solar energy industry.

While the solar industry is already more diverse than national averages, DOE is working to ensure that the solar workforce of the future is equitable, inclusive, and benefits all Americans, particularly disadvantaged communities. DOE expects that the industry will need to grow from 300,000 workers today to between 500,000 and 1,500,000 workers by 2035 to achieve decarbonization goals. These jobs should be accessible to workers from all backgrounds, provide competitive wages and benefits, and offer opportunities for union membership.

Projects selected under this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) will be demand-driven and worker-centric, leverage existing infrastructure and resources, be sustainable and replicable, and prioritize energy justice issues.

Areas of interest include:

  • Apprenticeship readiness (pre-apprenticeship) or apprenticeship partnerships
  • Community-led training partnerships
  • Clean energy sector partnerships

This funding program supports the government-wide approach to addressing the climate crisis and maximize the benefits of the clean energy transition by empowering workers and advancing environmental justice. 

SETO expects to make about 8 to 16 awards under the Advancing Equity Through Workforce Partnerships funding program, each ranging between $250,000 and $1.5 million. SETO seeks applications from diverse teams of training providers, labor unions, non-profit community-based organizations, solar developers, educational institutions (including minority-serving institutions (MSIs) and historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs)), tribal entities, and local governments.

Prior to submitting a full application for this opportunity, a brief, mandatory letter of intent is due on September 13, 2022 at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Webinar

SETO hosted an informational webinar on August 4, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. ET to discuss the funding program and the areas of focus. View the webinar recording (password: WyJAxBq5).

Teaming Partner List

SETO strongly encourages teaming among multiple stakeholders across academia, industry, National Laboratories, community-based organizations (CBOs), unions, and all technical disciplines. Teams that include multiple partners are preferred over applications that include a single organization. Teams that include representation from diverse entities such as, but not limited to, MSIs, HBCUs and other minority institutions, minority business enterprises, minority-owned businesses, woman-owned businesses, veteran-owned businesses, or entities located in an underserved community are encouraged. To facilitate the formation of teams, SETO is providing a forum where interested parties can add themselves to the Teaming Partner List, which allows organizations that may wish to apply to the FOA, but not as the prime applicant, to express interest to potential partners.

Download the Teaming Partner List (Excel file)

Any organization that would like to be included on this list should submit the following information in Excel format to seto.workforceFOA22@ee.doe.gov with the subject line “Teaming Partner Information”: organization name, contact name, contact address, contact email, contact phone, organization type, area of technical expertise, brief description of capabilities, and topic area.

Disclaimer: By submitting a request to be included on the Teaming Partner List, the requesting organization consents to the publication of the above-referenced information. By enabling and publishing the Teaming Partner List, EERE is not endorsing, sponsoring, or otherwise evaluating the qualifications of the individuals and organizations that are self-identifying themselves for placement on this Teaming Partner List. EERE will not pay for the provision of any information, nor will it compensate any applicants or requesting organizations for the development of such information.

Key Dates

FOA Issue Date: 7/27/2022
Informational Webinar (password: WyJAxBq5):  8/4/2022 at 2 p.m. ET 
Submission Deadline for Letter of Intent:  9/13/2022 at 5 p.m. ET
Submission Deadline for Concept Papers:  9/20/2022 at 5 p.m. ET
Submission Deadline for Full Applications:  12/16/2022 at 5 p.m. ET
Expected Submission Deadline for Replies to Reviewer Comments:  2/9/2023 at 5 p.m. ET
Expected Date for EERE Selection Notifications:  March 2023
Expected Timeframe for Award Negotiations:  March-April 2023

Additional Information