The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced up to $52.5 million for Advanced Manufacturing Office-managed IACs that help American manufacturers and wastewater treatment facilities improve their efficiency, save money, and reduce their carbon footprint. These university-based training programs also create a pipeline for students looking to join the growing clean energy economy. IACs provide assessments to small- and medium-sized manufacturers/enterprises to support U.S. manufacturing energy efficiency and competitiveness while addressing the shortage of engineering professionals with applied energy and manufacturing-related skills.
In collaboration with the Building Technologies Office, this opportunity will also pilot three Small Commercial Building Assessment Centers (sCACs), in partnership with university-led IAC programs, to offer training and hands-on experience from community college and technical program partners. Preferred applicants will propose programs that target participants from diverse and underrepresented groups and bring utility partners to incentivize upgrade implementation.
DOE anticipates selecting 25 to 35 universities, with individual awards of $1.5 to $2.25 million over five years. The deadline for optional letters of intent is April 1, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Mandatory full applications are due on April 22, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
For more information, eligibility requirements, and instructions on submitting an application, view the complete funding opportunity announcement. Potential applicants may also view a recording of a recent informational webinar on IAC operations.
State Energy Offices may be interested in working with accredited engineering programs/schools in their states’ colleges and universities on this opportunity.