DOE announces $52.5 million to support U.S. manufacturers and industrial workers

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced it will fund up to $52.5 million for its Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs), which help U.S. manufacturers and wastewater treatment facilities improve their efficiency, save money, and reduce their carbon footprint.

The IACs are university-based programs that train students and offer no-cost efficiency improvement recommendations to small and medium-sized manufacturing facilities. As part of the assessment process, participating students and faculty make recommendations for energy and water savings, waste reduction, productivity improvements, cybersecurity, and smart manufacturing opportunities for qualifying facilities, all while measuring their impact on greenhouse gas emissions. To date, the IAC program has provided nearly 20,000 assessments and more than 145,000 recommendations for improvement measures. Assessments typically identify more than $130,000 in potential annual savings opportunities.

IACs selected for this funding will offer coursework and hands-on experience for undergraduate and graduate engineering students in industrial processes, energy-assessment procedures, and energy-management systems.

As a part of this funding opportunity, DOE also will launch a pilot project to expand IAC engagement with underserved communities. Applicants are encouraged to propose training partnerships with technical programs or community colleges that create new opportunities for a diverse mix of students of all education levels.

DOE anticipates selecting 25 to 35 universities, with individual awards of $1.5 million to $2.25 million over five years. The deadline for optional letters of intent is April 1, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. ET. For more information, eligibility requirements, and instructions on submitting an application, view the complete funding opportunity announcement.