MSI Contract Readiness Prize

The MSI Contract Readiness Prize is a one-phase capacity building prize that aims to boost equity across the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) contracting for small, medium, and large Historically Black Colleges (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), including Asian American, Native American, Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs). This prize builds on the successes of the Biden Administration’s Justice40 Initiative that is working toward environmental justice for all Americans by involving MSIs as key strategic partners.

There are only a few agencies reaching out to institutions as a solution for federal requirements, which is a loss for the federal government and a missed opportunity for MSIs to gain beneficial financial resources. The goal of the MSI Contract Readiness Prize is not just a matter of increasing capacity for winning contracts, but also building a pipeline of long-term institutional support. MSIs will have a better knowledge of how to obtain future federal funding sources not only with the DOE Complex but with all federal agencies.

Up to 25 winners will be awarded a minimum of $10,000 based on their institution's size. To win the MSI Contract Readiness Prize, competitors will need to show they have increased their level of contract readiness. Teams will show this by developing a clear plan of action describing the steps taken to improve their contract readiness.

A successful submission should include, but is not limited to: 

• Attending technical trainings on the federal contracting application process
• Participating in mentoring opportunities with external partners such as the Power Connectors, DOE Mentor Protégé Program, or other partners
• Applying for at least one requirement in the DOE Complex by July 26, 2024
• Providing information on how you will continue to train and develop staff, students, and other resources to respond to federal contract deliverables for your institution
• Teams will be required to provide letters of support from their external partners. 

• April 2024: Prize Launch
• May – Sept. 2024: Submissions Open
• Sept. 26: Final Date to Submit Request to DOE Complex (anticipated date)
• Oct. 4: Submission Deadline (anticipated date)
• Oct 7 - Dec. 4: Review Period
• Dec. 5: Winners Announcement (anticipated dates)

Historically Black Colleges (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), Minority Serving Institutions (MSI), including Asian American, Native American, Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs) are eligible to submit a proposal describing what their institutions are doing to become contract ready.

Teams should specify their institution size:  

• Small Institution (under 5,000 students) 
• Medium-Sized Institution (5,001 - 15,000 students) 
• Large Institution (over 15,001 students) 

For additional eligibility considerations, please follow the prize to be kept up to date on when the official rules are published under the Resources tab. Estimated publication date is May 2024.