The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Indian Energy recently announced a $50 million notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) “aimed at fostering affordable, reliable, and secure energy solutions in Indian Country.”
This investment will support Tribal-led community-scale energy project planning and development and large-scale energy project planning.
“This $50 million competitive funding opportunity for Tribal entities is directly aligned with the priorities of the U.S. Department of Energy,” said DOE's Office of Indian Energy Director Eric Mahroum. “This funding will unleash Tribal energy development— supporting energy projects that aim to cut energy costs, expand electricity access, and advance economic opportunities. It’s exciting and like nothing we have offered before.”
Through the Unleashing Tribal Energy Development NOFO, the Office of Indian Energy is soliciting applications from Indian Tribes, which include Alaska Native regional corporations and Village corporations, Tribal and intertribal organizations, Tribal Energy Development Organizations, and Tribal Colleges and Universities—or any consortium of these eligible groups–to focus on:
- Construction and installation of Tribal community-scale energy projects to meet the needs of the community
- Predevelopment activities required to identify community-scale energy opportunities and bring projects from concept to implementation ready
- Planning, assessment, and feasibility activities to de-risk and advance development for large-scale Tribal energy projects that provide opportunities for revenue generation and economic development
DOE said it works comprehensively from inception through commercialization, helping Tribes develop solutions to their energy challenges. T
his NOFO supports planning and feasibility assessments for large-scale Tribal energy projects that can then allow Tribes to unlock additional financing through the DOE’s Office of Energy Dominance Financing (EDF) Tribal Energy Financing Program (TEFP).
The TEFP focuses on large-scale energy development and was recently amended by the Working Families Tax Cut to eliminate the Federal Support Restriction.
Through this NOFO, DOE's Office of Indian Energy will continue to maximize the deployment of energy solutions for the benefit of American Indians and Alaska Natives, DOE said. "These efforts will help build the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to implement those energy solutions to unleash American energy."
A webinar with additional information on this funding opportunity and how to apply will be held on April 9, 2026.
Applications are due July 24, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET.
