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Tribal Energy Alternatives > Fellowships

Tribal Energy Innovators Fellowship Program

Click Here to view the 2024-2025 TEI Informational Webinar

The Tribal Energy Innovators fellowship is designated for federally recognized tribal members who are interested, invested, and engaged in work which supports renewable energy infrastructure and tribal energy capacity building within a tribal community, tribally focused programming, and/or tribal organization. The Tribal Energy Innovators Fellowship provides a $50,000 fellowship stipend and industry resources to support the development of innovative ideas and the use of problem-solving processes that lead to sustainable renewable energy solutions.

Tribal Energy Innovation Project Objectives:
● To provide small grants to plan and develop new solutions to tribal community renewable energy challenges.
● To engage the tribal community, make the most of existing assets, and work collaboratively with other tribal organizations.
● To learn from and be mentored by an industry professional on best practices in renewable energy for rural and underserved communities, business/enterprise models and planning, and other areas of technical support.

Tribal Energy Innovators Fellowship – Request for Applications

GRID Alternatives’ Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund aims to catalyze the growth of solar energy and expand solar job opportunities in tribal communities across the United States. Our vision for Indian Country is a transition to energy sovereignty that is educational, entrepreneurial, and completely renewable.

The 2024-2025 Tribal Energy Innovators Fellowship is entering the fifth year of entrepreneurial-focused funding under the Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund. The Fellowship is designated for federally recognized tribal members who are interested, invested, and engaged in work which supports renewable energy infrastructure and tribal energy capacity building within a tribal community, tribally focused programming, and/or tribal organization.

GRID Alternatives and the TSAF have a wide range of tribal grantee partners, industry partners, and former fellows to provide a network of professional and educational support, networking opportunities with tribal energy leaders, industry leaders, and exposure to advanced technologies. As a Fellow, you will receive a $50,000 stipend over an 18 month period to advance your ideas from August 1, 2024 through March 1, 2026 while participating in regularly scheduled individual and cohort conference calls, mentorship activities, and two culminating in-person convenings or a conference presentations (Location TBD).

Tribal Energy Innovators Fellowship Priority:The TEI will provide fellows a stipend of $50,000 and industry resources to federally recognized tribal members to support the development of innovative ideas and the use of problem-solving processes that lead to sustainable renewable energy solutions for a tribal community.The Fellowship is intended to support individual tribal change-makers and visionaries, from energy entrepreneurs and small business owners, to tribal administrators and community leaders working on renewable energy projects. Our previous cohorts have included academics, activists, community leaders, consultants, energy entrepreneurs, and others. Tribal Energy Innovation Fellowship Objective(s):To provide Fellows the resources necessary to plan and develop new solutions to tribal community renewable energy challenges.To engage within a tribal community, tribal programming, and/or a tribal organization to make the most of existing assets and work collaboratively with other industry leaders.To learn from and be mentored by an industry professional on best practices in renewable energy for rural and underserved communities, business/enterprise models and planning, and other areas of technical support.

GRID Alternatives’ National Tribal Program has worked since 2010 to help tribal communities across the United States achieve their renewable energy goals. Using a community-centric approach, we partner with tribes to identify, develop, finance and implement solar power projects that meet community needs, including education, hands-on training, and energy cost reductions for tribal members. 
The TSAF is excited to share our mission, vision, and goals with tribal communities across Indian Country through grantmaking, engagement and communication, advocacy, technical assistance, collaboration, and a commitment to build capacity in tribal energy sovereignty. 

If selected as a TEI Fellow, you will be expected to: Maintain monthly email communication with TSAF staff to provide updates as necessaryAttend and be prepared for bi-monthly individual check-in meetings with TSAF staff and mentorsAttend and be prepared for bi-monthly cohort check-in meetings and writing prompts with TSAF staff and mentorsDevelop your fellowship goals, timeline, activities, and outcomes throughout the year in preparation for the final all-expense paid convening/presentation.Attend TSAF convenings for the 2024 and 2025 grant years. Travel and lodging will be provided.

Upon receipt of a TEI Fellowship application, the following criteria should be met within the proposed narrative, recommendation letter, and resume: Solid and concrete match between fellowship purpose and renewable energy innovationClear focus on building renewable energy capacity and visions for infrastructure within a tribal community  Demonstrated interest, ability, and/or foundational knowledge and experience necessary for a successful fellowship Clear plan of action, including specific goals and measurable objectives and activities that align with a year-long fellowship  Budget narrative: $50,000 will support you in any way you deem relevant to your success as a TEI fellow (i.e. living expenses, project development and costs, etc.) Note: Set aside funding for professional development such as conferences, business cards, etc.)  in your budget. Tribal community/organization partnerships that engage broad tribal participation and support. Potential for application and replication in other tribal communities.
The TSAF will solicit knowledgeable, experienced tribal and non-tribal renewable energy professionals to conduct a review, scoring, and selection of TEI Fellowship applications.

The TSAF is committed to serving, supporting, and strengthening American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribal communities and individuals by investing in renewable energy development and capacity building, while looking to the long-term sustainability of knowledge and furthering opportunities. 
The Fellowship eligibility criteria is as follows:Federally recognized tribal members in the lower 48 states and AlaskaMust be 18 years of age and olderMust commit to all fellowship expectations and requirements

The TEI Fellowship will only accept applications via the TSAF Fellowship portal which can be accessed here. If you need assistance with the portal please email program@tribalsolar.org with the subject line: Application Portal Help. 
TEI Fellowship applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications at least 24 hours in advance of the submission deadline. TEI Fellowship Applications are due Wednesday  June 1, 2024 by 5:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST). No applications will be accepted after this date or time, no exceptions.

Selected fellows must have a signed fellowship contract and W-9 by August 8, 2024.Awards will be processed based on the fellow’s participation in monthly individual and cohort calls. If an emergency arises and a call is missed, there will be no penalty of payment for that month.

Please monitor www.tribalsolar.org for FAQ’s