DOE AMERICAN MADE HBCU CLEAN ENERGY EDUCATION PRIZE

 We are excited to announce The PEER Group's partnership with the US Department of Energy's (DOE) American Made Program to provide technical assistance to support HBCUs in the development of applications for the HBCU Clean Energy Education Prize. 

The Inspire Track supports the development or expansion of HBCU-hosted clean energy summer or academic break programs for K-12 and community college students. These programs will help explain basic concepts of clean energy technologies and illuminate possible clean energy educational and career pathways for students. 

Applications to the Inspire Track of the HBCU Clean Energy Education Prize are due August 24, 2023. They consist of a 2,500-word narrative and support letters from a campus administrator (dean or higher) and other partners.

The PEER Group will offer free technical assistance for application development as part of our upcoming event, CONVERGE in Baltimore, Maryland on August 2-4. This will consist of: 

• “Office Hours” with The PEER Group’s Principal Consultant, Dr. Yvette E. Pearson, for feedback on your draft application (to be submitted to The PEER Group electronically using this form by July 28); and
• an information session with DOE representatives to answer your questions about the program.

DOE will be rolling out the Partnerships Track beginning in September 2023. This track supports building partnerships between HBCUs and other universities, government agencies, and industry leaders to inform new programs and provide professional opportunities that will equip HBCU students with the skills needed to succeed in clean energy careers. 

DOE will host an information session about the Partnership Track at CONVERGE for HBCUs and prospective partners. 

We will also offer CONVERGENCE CORNER sessions, which are informal discussions with small groups of people who share common interests, to help lay the foundation for possible collaborations on a future Partnership Track submission.

With generous support from DOE, The PEER Group is offering our technical assistance free of charge to HBCUs; however, registration for CONVERGE is required. To reduce costs, we are offering a special discount of $200 off non-student in-person registration using the discount code: inspire200off and rooms in the CONVERGE room block are only $142/night (plus applicable taxes and fees).

Each HBCU can only lead one submission through this prize program, however, HBCUs are allowed to be a partner on other HBCU submission packages. 

1. Register for CONVERGE (use discount code: inspire200off  for $200 off non-student registration) and book your room at Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards (CONVERGE rate: $142/night). Virtual registration includes technical assistance and plenaries; DOE info sessions are in-person only.
2. Submit your DRAFT application to The PEER Group for review by July 28, 2023.
3. Sign up for 1:1 technical assistance (link will be provided when draft application submitted). First come, first served.  Closes July 28 (or when all times are taken).
4. See you in Baltimore!