The Trump administration’s Department of Energy announced a $50 million funding opportunity on March 25, 2026, aimed at boosting energy development in Native American communities. Eric Mahroum introduced the initiative at the Reservation Economic Summit in Las Vegas.
It appears to be the first Native-specific energy initiative under the Trump administration.
The funding is open to federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native corporations, tribal organizations, tribal energy development organizations, and tribal colleges and universities. The goal is to help tribes develop their own energy resources for the benefit of their members.
Secretary Chris Wright issued a statement saying the Trump administration is committed to fostering tribal energy development. The initiative aligns with the administration’s broader push for what it calls energy dominance.
Secretary Chris Wright says the Trump administration is committed to fostering tribal energy development and advancing energy dominance.
It’s designed to help tribes access affordable, reliable, and secure energy.
The funding covers several categories. These include building community-scale energy projects, predevelopment activities, and planning or feasibility work for larger projects.
It spans sectors like geothermal, oil and gas, nuclear, critical minerals, and even data centers.
Cost-share requirements are minimal, with construction projects typically requiring around 10%.
Predevelopment and planning work generally require no cost share.
Large-scale projects may connect to loan financing through related tribal programs. EDF Director Gregory A. Beard linked this planning and development pathway to loan support for large-scale projects.
The Office of Indian Energy will host a public webinar on April 9, 2026, to explain the program. Applications are due July 24, 2026, at 5 p.m. EST.
The DOE expects to make awards totaling approximately $50 million.
This NOFO differs from a similar 2024 funding opportunity. That earlier round was focused strictly on clean energy systems, efficiency, and resilience.
It reportedly required a 20% cost share for 10 to 20 awards up to $5 million.
The new initiative expands beyond clean energy to a broader range of energy sectors. Such federal investments are expected to attract private capital and drive technological advancements that further reduce long-term energy development costs.
The program’s structure is meant to help tribes move from early planning stages all the way to large-scale energy development with DOE support.
Selection may prioritize tribes with high energy costs or poor service when determining award recipients.
It represents one of the administration’s key efforts to advance energy access across Indian Country.
References
- https://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-department-announces-50-million-investment-advance-affordable-reliable-and-secure
- https://www.utilitydive.com/news/doe-tribal-energy-funding-nofo/815835/
- https://tribalbusinessnews.com/sections/energy/15548-doe-announces-50m-tribal-energy-funding-opportunity-at-res
- https://enerknol.com/u-s-energy-department-announces-50-million-for-tribal-energy-projects-across-indian-country/
- https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/361628
- https://www.gklaw.com/Insights/Grant-Opportunity-Clean-Energy-Technology-Deployment-on-Tribal-Lands.htm
- https://www.cfra.org/blog/funding-opportunity-offers-50-million-tribal-clean-energy-investments
