The Community Energy Innovation Prize is supporting local organizations with proven track records of engaging underserved communities and/or promoting environmental, climate, and energy justice as they enact community-led climate and clean energy solutions. This expanded prize is also focusing on inspiring the next generation of clean energy leaders with opportunities for college students to work with community partners and has an additional focus on fostering innovation in clean energy manufacturing ecosystems in historically underserved communities. Read the official launch announcement from the U.S. Department of Energy.
Prize Structure The Community Energy Innovation Prize is made up of three tracks: the Clean Energy Ecosystem Track, the Manufacturing Ecosystem Track, and the Collegiate Track, each of which has distinct goals and submission requirements over three phases: CONCEPT, PROGRESS, and IMPACT. In addition to prize awards, winning teams in all three tracks will receive in-kind mentorship and other support services.
Prize Background
The prize is part of the government’s the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative—a plan to deliver 40% of climate investment benefits to disadvantaged communities and inform equitable research, development, and deployment within federal agencies. Through its three tracks, the prize will serve to inspire and mentor collegiate students; bolster grassroots community organizations; and accelerate innovation in the manufacturing sector, in alignment with a new White House strategy aimed at growing the economy, creating jobs, enhancing sustainability, strengthening supply chains, and ensuring national security.
Who Can Participate?
Clean Energy Ecosystem and Manufacturing Ecosystem Tracks
The Clean Energy Ecosystem and Manufacturing Ecosystem Tracks are open only to private entities (for-profits and nonprofits); nonfederal government entities such as states, counties, tribes, and municipalities; academic institutions; and individuals.
Collegiate Track
The Collegiate Track is now closed to new competitors. Read the official announcement from the U.S. Department of Energy and visit the Collegiate Track CONCEPT Phase results page for further details.
Guidelines
Interested in participating in the Clean Energy Ecosystem or Manufacturing Ecosystem Tracks? Please review the official rules.
Collegiate participation in the Community Energy Innovation Prize is now closed and winners have been chosen.
The Community Energy Innovation Prize was established by DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Office of Economic Impact and Diversity (ED), and Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO). The prize is part of the American-Made family of prizes and is administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
If you want to receive updates on the prize or have any questions, please subscribe by using the contact feature on the HeroX platform or .
You are invited to join the Community Energy Innovation Summit, taking place December 4-5, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois! This event builds on the success of the Collegiate Track Summit last June, and will feature teams from both the Clean Energy Ecosystem Track and the Manufacturing Ecosystem Track as they present their initiatives, progress, and impact over the course of the prize.
The Summit will also include workshops and networking sessions to help teams and other stakeholders connect with federal and non-federal resources to support their ongoing efforts to implement community-based clean energy initiatives.
The Summit is free and open to the public! Register here to join, and view the CEI Summit tab for more information including travel arrangements and a discounted hotel block.
Get to know the Community Energy Innovation Prize PROGRESS Phase winners who are hard at work progressing plans that will help them achieve their goals of tackling energy justice in their communities!
Today's spotlight includes:
Clean Energy Ecosystem Track: Direct-to-Renter Clean Energy Program
Manufacturing Ecosystem Track: Metals HUB: Southland Development Authority
Get to know the Community Energy Innovation Prize PROGRESS Phase winners who are hard at work progressing plans that will help them achieve their goals of tackling energy justice in their communities!
Today's spotlight includes:
Clean Energy Ecosystem Track: People Power: Energy Security
Manufacturing Ecosystem Track: Scale for ClimateTech
Get to know the Community Energy Innovation Prize PROGRESS Phase winners who are hard at work progressing plans that will help them achieve their goals of tackling energy justice in their communities!
Today's spotlight includes:
Clean Energy Ecosystem Track: LEI Foundation Energize Wai'anae Moku
Manufacturing Ecosystem Track: PDX Clean Industry Network
Get to know the Community Energy Innovation Prize PROGRESS Phase winners who are hard at work progressing plans that will help them achieve their goals of tackling energy justice in their communities!
