DOE announced $300 million for projects that increase energy affordability and promote climate resilience and $15 million for a prize competition to help rural communities build the capacity needed for clean energy development and deployment. These two new funding opportunities support the Energy Improvements in Rural or Remote Areas program, which aims to improve the resilience, reliability, and affordability of energy systems in communities with a population of 10,000 or fewer across the country.

The deadline to submit concept papers for the $300 million funding opportunity is 5 p.m. ET on April 14, 2023, and the deadline to submit applications for the first phase of the prize is May 24, 2023.