Underserved and underrepresented communities have experienced—and still experience—the negative impacts of climate change, global warming, and pollution at higher rates than the general population. At the same time, structural barriers have historically limited equal opportunities to climate and energy technology funding.

Now, as the nation invests in more clean energy technology, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has a responsibility to prioritize serving these too-often-overlooked communities. The Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize fits into President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which aims to deliver 40% of climate investment benefits to disadvantaged communities and inform equitable research, development, and deployment within DOE.

Through the Inclusive Energy Innovation Prize, DOE aims to create an inclusive and just innovation ecosystem in climate and energy technologies. Funds will support underrepresented groups and organizations with ongoing or proposed incubation, acceleration, and other community-based innovation services, as well as boost first-time applicants, people, and organizations from underrepresented communities, underserved and frontline communities, and individuals from other nontraditional backgrounds.

The primary goal of this prize is to fund organizations to lead engagement efforts with underserved and underrepresented communities in specific regions and support applicants to apply for DOE and other federal funding opportunities.

Up to 10 organizations will share a total prize pool of up to $2.5 million.

Prize Closes: Feb. 25, 2022