Unleashing Tribal Energy Development
Last verified by NonDilute: 2026-04-29. Official notice and agency instructions control.
If your tribe is ready to build or plan an energy project, this is the primary federal funding vehicle for tribal-led energy development at scale.
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What this is
This DOE funding targets federally recognized and other Native American tribal governments and organizations to build or plan renewable and conventional energy projects at community or commercial scale. Awards range from $250,000 to $7.5 million across three topic areas: construction of energy assets (Topic 1), pre-development for community-scale projects (Topic 2), and pre-development for large-scale commercial resource development (Topic 3). Projects must demonstrate how energy development strengthens tribal economic and energy infrastructure and advance tribal self-determination.
Who can apply
You must be a federally recognized Native American tribal government or a Native American tribal organization (other than a federally recognized government) to apply. Individual founders, startups, universities, and non-tribal entities are not eligible.
Eligible applicant types
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
Full description — from the agency
DE-FOA-0003548: Unleashing Tribal Energy Development Under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the DOE Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs is soliciting applications to advance affordable, reliable, and secure energy development of Tribal energy resources for the benefit of Tribes and their members. Projects funded under this NOFO are expected to advance Tribal sovereignty through Tribal energy development, efficiency, and use. Projects under Topic Area 1 are expected to serve the electric loads and support the energy needs of Tribes at the scale of a Tribal community or communities. These projects entail the construction of energy assets and projects. Projects under Topic Area 2 are expected to complete all pre-development activities necessary for the deployment of community scale energy projects. Projects under Topic Area 3 are expected to complete necessary pre-development activities for large scale commercial development of Tribal energy resources which lead to enhancement and strengthening of Tribal energy and economic infrastructure. DOE expects to make approximately $50 million of federal funding available for new awards under this NOFO. DOE may issue awards in one, multiple, or none of the Topic Areas. Please see full notification of funding opportunity at: https://ie-exchange.energy.gov
Topics: tribal energy development · native american energy projects · renewable energy tribes · community energy infrastructure · tribal sovereignty energy
Public-source funding discovery only. This summary is generated from public agency data and may be incomplete or stale. NonDilute is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of any government agency. Official notices and agency instructions control. NonDilute does not determine eligibility, provide grant-writing advice, or guarantee funding.