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- By Tribal Business News Staff
- Energy | Environment
The U.S. Department of Energy opened a new funding opportunity offering up to $2.5 million in direct project support and about $1 million in technical assistance to support microgrid development in remote and isolated regions, including tribal communities.
The program, administered by DOE’s Community Microgrid Assistance Partnership, or C-MAP, will support projects designed to improve electric reliability in areas with high energy costs and weak grid performance. DOE said the grant opportunity focuses on microgrids that can operate independently or alongside a larger grid during outages.
“America’s remote industries play an essential role in our national prosperity,” said Dan Ton, DOE’s microgrid research and development program manager. He said the program is intended to help deliver more dependable power in remote regions while supporting “new investment, stronger local economies and expanded opportunities” for local workforces.
The grant solicitation emphasizes projects tied to industrial development and large energy users, including critical mineral operations and enterprise-scale computing centers. DOE said stronger microgrid infrastructure can help support industrial, commercial, public safety and national security facilities in remote regions.
Selected projects will receive between $200,000 and $575,000 in direct funding, along with up to 24 months of technical and administrative support from national laboratories and community partners. Eligible applicants include federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native villages and corporations, local governments, nonprofits and energy cooperatives.
Applications are due July 2, 2026. Proposed projects must serve communities with 10,000 or fewer where electricity prices are high. DOE will host an informational webinar on the funding opportunity May 26.
