Funding Notice: Partnerships for Academic-Industry Career Training (PACT)

Learn More: TechWerx
Funding Amount: $11,300,000

Background Information

On May 4, 2026, U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office (HGEO) and Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs announced up to $11.3 million in federal funding available to institutions of higher education, including up to $2.3 million exclusively for Tribal Colleges and Universities, to train the next generation of America’s energy workforce. The Partnerships for Academic-Industry Career Training (PACT) Initiative will facilitate the development of hands-on training and credentialling programs in skillsets supporting the production of natural gas, oil, coal, and geothermal energy by establishing regional academic-industry consortia. 

The PACT Initiative is managed by TechWerx in partnership with DOE, a collaboration made possible through an innovative Partnership Intermediary Agreement established by the DOE's Office of Technology Commercialization. This agreement enables TechWerx to broaden DOE’s engagement with innovative organizations and non-traditional partners, facilitating the rapid development, scaling, and deployment of energy solutions.

The deadline to submit applications for this funding opportunity has closed.

Selectees

On October 15, 2026, HGEO and Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs (IE) announced nearly $11.1 million in federal funding for eight projects selected for negotiation through the Partnerships for Academic-Industry Career Training (PACT) Initiative. The selections include almost $8.8 million for six HGEO-supported projects and approximately $2.3 million for two IE-supported projects.

The projects will create or expand hands-on training and industry-recognized credentialing programs designed around regional workforce needs, helping prepare American workers for critical jobs that support oil, natural gas, coal, and geothermal energy industries.

Selectees include:

• New Mexico Junior College
• San Jacinto Community College District
• Somerset Community College
• Southern Methodist University
• University of Alaska Fairbanks
• University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
• Leech Lake Tribal College
• Navajo Technical University

A detailed list of the selected projects can be found here.

Eligibility

Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education (IHE) including two-year IHEs, particularly trade schools, vocational schools, technical colleges, community colleges, and Tribal Colleges and Universities.

Topic Areas 

This funding opportunity announcement has two topic areas:

1. Topic A – Enhance: applicants seeking resources to enhance their existing training program(s) or reorient them to focus on energy careers.
2. Topic B – Establish: applicants seeking resources to establish a new training program to focus on energy careers.

Funding 

TechWerx, a DOE Partnership Intermediary, has opened an initial funding opportunity for approximately $11,300,000. 

TechWerx intends to issue between four (4) and eight (8) Topic A awards and between three (3) and six (6) Topic B awards to eligible IHEs. 

Up to $2,300,000 will be available for awards exclusively to Tribal Colleges and Universities.

Webinar 

An informational webinar was hosted on May 13, 2026, at 3:00 PM ET to discuss this funding opportunity.

Watch the recording here 

Attending the informational webinar is not mandatory and will not positively or negatively impact the overall review of any applicant submissions. 

Key Dates

Additional Information

• Review the full funding opportunity on TechWerx
• Questions? Contact info@techwerx.org

Last Updated: October 15, 2026