DOE Launches Second Round of Prize Supporting Grassroots Energy Innovation in Underrepresented Communities

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the second round of the Community Energy Innovation Prize, a multi-million-dollar competition supporting grassroots innovation, entrepreneurship, capacity building, and economic development in communities historically underrepresented in clean energy development.

Image

Through the three phases of the prize, teams have the chance to win part of the $8.42 million prize pool to fund their ongoing activities that address local challenges in clean energy, energy efficiency, manufacturing, materials, and transportation. Successful competitors will demonstrate a strong track record of building trust and strengthening relationships and partnerships within their communities.

“The most successful solutions are ones that are led by communities themselves,” said Jeff Marootian, principal deputy assistant secretary for DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. “With this prize, groups and organizations can receive the guidance and financial support they need to solve local challenges and better the lives of residents through job opportunities, less waste, cleaner air and lower energy bills.”

The Community Energy Innovation Prize is made up of three tracks, each with distinct focus areas, over three phases: 

• Clean Energy Ecosystem Track. In this track, a total prize pool of $3.22 million will be awarded to up to 12 teams for fostering innovation ecosystems and/or technology deployments through activities focusing on community-centric networks and bottom-up solutions for sustainable development, based on the needs of the communities involved. 
• Manufacturing Ecosystem Track. In this track, a total prize pool of $2.6 million will be awarded to up to 10 teams for developing manufacturing innovation ecosystems across government, industry, academia, national labs, and communities to address key challenges in the development and adoption of emerging materials and manufacturing technologies. 
• Vehicles Ecosystem Track. In this track, a total prize pool of $2.6 million will be awarded to up to 10 teams for supporting the deployment of clean transportation technologies in a manner that promotes access to clean transportation technologies, improves health and air quality outcomes, and lowers the burden of transportation impacts on community members.

Any eligible team may compete in the first phase, CONCEPT, where applicants form their coalitions and develop project ideas. Up to 32 teams across the three tracks will be selected as CONCEPT phase winners and receive an initial prize amount of $75,000 to $100,000 each, along with in-kind mentorship and other support services. Winning teams in the CONCEPT phase will be eligible to compete in subsequent phases. 

Applications to compete in the CONCEPT phase for all three tracks are now open. The deadline to submit is June 20, 2025. There will be an informational webinar for prospective applicants in the near future. Follow the prize on HeroX for updates.

The Community Energy Innovation Prize is jointly sponsored by three offices within DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy: the Integrated Strategies Office, the Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office, and the Vehicle Technologies Office. The prize is administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and is part of the American-Made program.