Frequently Asked Questions

Select a FOA to view questions and answers for the specific funding opportunity. Alternatively select "Non-FOA related items" to view system FAQ items.

Question 1: Does the curriculum have to be for a degree seeking program, or can the curriculum be for a Continuing Education program?
Answer 1:

The Funding Opportunity Anonuncement (FOA) does not require the curriculum be for a degree seeking program.
Question 2: I am from the University of Oklahoma. We are working on clean energy development and are very interested in the funding opportunity DE-FOA-0002978. Since our university is not in the Tribal Colleges and TCU list, can we collaborate with tribal colleges and apply for the funding.
Answer 2:

Only Tribal Colleges and Universities as that term is defined in the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) may apply for funding. However, the FOA does not specify the entities the Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) may include as part of their project team and therefore, the FOA does not preclude a non-TCU University from participating as a project team member, provided the project is on the TCU campus and the eligible TCU is the applicant.

 

 
Question 3: The FOA mentions clean technologies. Does this definition include carbon management technologies like capture, storage, and sequestration?
Answer 3:

Per Section I.A.2 and Appendix A:

 

“Clean Energy Technology” for purposes of this FOA, may include, but is not limited to: (1) Clean Energy Generating System(s); (2) Energy Efficiency Measure(s); or (3) Integrated Clean Energy System(s).

 

  1. “Clean Energy Generating System(s)” for the purposes of this FOA include: (1) renewable energy system(s), or (2) combined heat and power system(s) using renewable fuels such as biomass, biogas, renewable natural gas, or renewable hydrogen. See definitions under Appendix A.

 

  1. “Energy Efficiency Measure(s),” for the purposes of this FOA, means the implementation of a (1) building efficiency measure(s), or an (2) industrial process efficiency measure(s). For the purposes of this FOA, “energy efficiency” is not the same as “energy conservation”, which is not eligible under this FOA. See definitions under Appendix A.

 

  1. “Integrated Clean Energy System(s)” under Topic Area 2 must, as a minimum, provide power to building(s) that make up, in part or the whole of, a TCU campus and include: (1) clean energy generating system(s); (2) controls and management system(s); and (3) energy storage system(s). Such systems may also include (4) conventional energy generation device(s); however, conventional energy generation device(s) are eligible only if used solely as a dispatchable stand-by power source. Note that some components of the proposed integrated clean energy system(s) may already exist and, therefore, not all of the components must be proposed for DOE funding; however, the integrated clean energy system(s) as a whole must meet the requirements under Topic Area 2.”

 

Therefore, if the technology does not meet the definitions above, then it would not be an eligible technology.  

 
Question 4: For this FOA, it appears that deployment activities need to take place on-campus at a Tribal College or University. What about situations where hydrokinetic power may be generated in a nearby river then stored/utilized at the TCU?
Answer 4:

Per Section III.A. of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), “The DOE Office of Indian Energy will only consider applications from: (1) Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs); and (2) on whose campus(es) the proposed project(s) will be located.” [Emphasis added] Therefore, hydrokinetic power not generated on the TCU campus, would not meet the eligibility requirements of this FOA.   

 
Question 5: As part of a grant submittal for the Tribal College funding opportunity, would funding for construction of a mock roof be eligible for curriculum deployment? The mock roof would be permanent equipment for the tribal college to provide hands-on training on a simulated rooftop as part of a solar photovoltaic (PV) curriculum.
Answer 5:

As stated in Section III.F. Questions Regarding Eligibility (page 31) of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), “DOE will not make eligibility determinations for potential Applicants prior to the date on which applications to this FOA must be submitted. The decision of whether to submit an application in response to this FOA lies solely with the Applicant.”

 

However, for your purposes in making that decision, we offer the following based on the limited information provided in your question:

 

The Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) specifically allows “[c]osts associated with the implementation of a clean energy curriculum, such as supplies, kits, and materials, may be included in the proposed budget.” Therefore, if the simulated rooftop is associated with the implementation of the clean energy curriculum, then those costs may be eligible for reimbursement by DOE or as cost share and should be included in the proposed budget.   

 
Question 6: Would a mobile renewable energy plus storage unit count as an eligible expense for topic area 2? The unit (trailer) we envision would be grid connected when not in use, but available to use for training and workshops at locations away from campus.
Answer 6:

As stated in Section III.F. Questions Regarding Eligibility (page 31) of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA), “DOE will not make eligibility determinations for potential Applicants prior to the date on which applications to this FOA must be submitted. The decision of whether to submit an application in response to this FOA lies solely with the Applicant.”

 

However, for your purposes in making that decision, we offer the following:

 

Section I.B.2. (page 10) of the Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) states, “Under Topic Area 2, the DOE Office of Indian Energy is seeking applications for the (1) deployment of clean energy technology(ies) to transition the Tribal College or University to a clean energy campus, and (2) implementation of a related clean energy curriculum. The clean energy technology deployment must result in the installation of clean energy technology on the TCU campus, including the implementation of a related clean energy curriculum.” [Emphasis added]

 

Based on the limited information provided in your question, it does not appear that the proposed renewable energy plus storage unit (trailer) would be installed on the TCU campus. If the unit is not installed on the TCU campus, it would not meet the requirements of the FOA.

 

 
Question 7: The Budget Justification Workbook form asks for total project costs to be entered. Should budgets be broken down by project period/year or should budget be entered for full period of performance? The FOA indicates a 2-4 year period of performance period.
Answer 7:

Budgets should be for the full project period of performance, not by year. Additionally, per Section IV.C.9., applicants “must complete the summary and each tab of the Budget Justification Workbook form (IE 540.132-01) for the project as a whole (all project costs regardless of whether requested from DOE or proposed as cost share and regardless of who plans to incur those costs), including all work to be performed by the Recipient (if an award is made), its Subrecipients, and Vendors”.