Overview
- Educating and training the next generation of engineers and scientists
- Supporting novel, early-stage research at U.S. colleges and universities
- Increasing research & development opportunities for underrepresented and structurally marginalized communities
- Ensuring that students are being equipped with cutting-edge, translatable skillsets that will allow them to contribute to the U.S. workforce and greater economy over the course of a longstanding and enduring career.
The University Training and Research Program (UTR) includes 2 sub-programs:
- Historically Black Colleges & Universities and other Minority-Serving Institutions (HBCU-MSI)
- University Carbon Research (UCR)
The UTR Program’s funding opportunities are administered by the National Energy Technology Laboratory. To learn more, visit NETL University Training and Research.
Funding
- Nationwide, competitive solicitation
- Projects pertain to early-stage R&D and student and workforce development.
- Projects awarded as grants, with a typical duration of 2-3 years.
- Award sizes vary depending on the year and area of interest. In recent years, awards have ranged from $250k-1.5M.
- For on-demand training to help apply for funding: Visit DOE's Office Energy Justice and Equity
UTR Webinars and Presentations
- Spring 2024: Demystifying Community Benefit Plans for University-Based Projects
- Spring 2023: Spring 2023 FECM University Training and Research (UTR) Program Webinar
- For guidance on applying to the program, see slides 37-64.
- Summer 2022: 2022 Summer UTR Program Webinar
Recent Announcements
Upcoming University Training and Research Program Informational Webinar: The webinar explains FECM and NETL’s primary lines of research, focusing on providing participants information to prepare a responsive proposal. The webinar provides information on the formulation of actual proposed research to be conducted and how to maneuver the administrative requirements of doing business with the government. For more information and to register visit NETL's University Training and Research for Fossil Energy and Carbon Management
Request for Information: Growing Carbon Management Education Capacity at Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) through the FECM UTR Program
On November 2, 2023, FECM released a Request for Information (RFI) seeking input on potential funding for workforce development through the UTR program. For more information visit Growing Carbon Management Education Capacity at Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) through the Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) University Training and Research (UTR) Program.
Table of recent Funding Opportunity Announcements and their associated award announcements:
| Fiscal Year | Funding Opportunity | Areas of Interest | Award Announcement |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY24 | Notice of Intent to Issue Funding Opportunity 3436 (HBCU-MSI and UCR) | 1) Curriculum to grow carbon management education capacity 2) Critical mineral supply chain career awareness outreach program 3) Soil carbon storage: establishing technical and social baselines to enable broader adoption 4) Using artificial intelligence and machine learning to advance point source capture and train the next generation of engineers (HBCU-MSI only) | N/A |
| FY23 | 3002 (HBCU-MSI and UCR) | 1) Visiting scholar program to benefit students from minority-serving institutions 2) Development of geoscience education curriculum at minority-serving 3) HDSTEM to facilitate interdisciplinary student training and technology development 4) Improving critical minerals and materials recovery from coal-based resources 5) Energy asset transformation | Link to Announcement |
| FY22 | 2598 (HBCU-OMI) | 1A) Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) and Lifecycle Analysis (LCA) Screening of Net-Zero or Net-Negative GHG Emission, CCUS-Enabled, Waste Coal and Biomass Power Production 1B) Resource Development Site Assessments to Inform LCA/TEA 2) Phytotechnology Development for Identification and/or Remediation of Sites Exhibiting Soil Contamination via Groundwater Transport of Metals from Coal Combustion Product Impoundments 3) R&D Scoping Study and Infrastructure Self-Assessment of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management Based Research Capabilities 4) Biological Uptake of CO2 via Algae for Agricultural Applications | Link to Announcement |
| FY22 | 2598 Amendment 2 (HBCU-OMI) | 5) Hydrogen Storage Materials 6) PGM-free Catalysts and Electrodes for Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers 7a) Hydrogen Materials Compatibility: RD&D 7b) Hydrogen Materials Compatibility: Knowledge & Gap Analysis | Link to Announcement |
| FY22 | 2598 Amendment 3 (HBCU-OMI) | 8) Value-Added Natural Gas Conversion 9) HDSTEM to enhance the FECM UTR Programs | Link to Announcement |
| FY22 | 2596 (UCR) | 1A) Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) and Lifecycle Analysis (LCA) Screening of Net-Zero or Net-Negative GHG Emission, CCUS-Enabled, Waste Coal and Biomass Power Production 1B) Resource Development Site Assessments to Inform LCA/TEA 2) Phytotechnology Development for Identification and/or Remediation of Sites Exhibiting Soil Contamination via Groundwater Transport of Metals from Coal Combustion Product Impoundments 3) Automated Component Inspection, Analysis, and Repair Enabled by Robotics | Link to Announcement |
| FY22 | 2596 Amendment 2 (UCR) | 4) Value-Added Natural Gas Conversion 5) HDSTEM to enhance the FECM UTR Programs | Link to Announcement |
Past Awardees
For the institutions selected in the most recent UTR FOA in January 2024: Visit UTR for FECM
Student Testimonials
One of the foundations of the UTR program is educating and training students at U.S. colleges and universities. Between fiscal years 2010 and 2022, awards made through the UTR program have helped to support 462 students at various stages in their academic careers.
FECM aims to highlight outstanding students that have been involved in UTR projects. Follow the links below to read testimonials from the past participants in UTR projects: