Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0002413

Request for Information (RFI) DE-FOA-0002413 is a Department of Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) information-gathering effort focused on the current state of bioenergy workforce development in the United States. Rather than offering funding for projects, this RFI is designed to collect practical, real-world input on what training, education, and workforce preparation resources already exist for biofuels and bioproducts jobs, and where the major gaps and unmet needs are. The goal is to build an evidence-based picture of the bioenergy talent pipeline, covering both technical roles (for example, bioprocessing, operations, lab and analytical work, engineering, quality, safety, and maintenance) and non-technical roles (for example, business development, supply chain, logistics, permitting, communications, project management, and other supporting functions that help facilities and companies operate and scale).

BETO is seeking feedback from a broad range of stakeholders, including industry employers, universities and community colleges, training providers, national laboratories, government agencies, educators, career counselors, and other organizations involved in bioenergy and bioproducts. The underlying purpose is to better understand what workforce-development offerings are available today (such as degree programs, certificates, short courses, apprenticeships, internships, on-the-job training models, and credentialing pathways), how well those offerings align with employer demand, and what barriers keep workers and students from accessing or completing training. By collecting this information, BETO intends to help individuals connect more easily to existing and emerging tools for workforce development, while also helping the broader sector respond to rapidly changing skill requirements as the bioenergy industry evolves. A central theme is reskilling and upskilling: supporting workers who need to transition into bioenergy roles or update their capabilities as technologies, feedstocks, production pathways, and regulations change.

In terms of the opportunity details, this RFI falls under an "Other" opportunity category and instrument type, with activity areas tied to employment, labor and training, and energy. Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning any type of entity may respond, subject to any specific clarifications included in the full RFI text. The issuing agency is the Department of Energy, Golden Field Office. The RFI was posted on September 3, 2020, and responses were due by 5:00 p.m. EDT on November 2, 2020. Responses had to be submitted electronically via email to bioenergizeme@ee.doe.gov, and the full RFI text was made available through DOE's EERE Exchange website (https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/). The listing indicates no expected awards, which reinforces that this is a request for information intended to shape understanding, planning, and potential future workforce-related efforts rather than a direct grant solicitation for immediate funding.

  • The Department of Energy, Golden Field Office in the employment, labor and training, energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Request for Information (RFI) DE-FOA-00002413: Understanding Workforce-Development Assets and Gaps for Technical and Non-Technical Bioenergy Workforce Preparation" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.087.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Sep 03, 2020.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 02, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2.00 in funding.
  • Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
Apply for DE FOA 0002413

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:

FAQs: DOE BETO Request for Information (RFI) DE-FOA-0002413 - Bioenergy Workforce Development

1) What is RFI DE-FOA-0002413?

RFI DE-FOA-0002413 is a Request for Information issued by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Bioenergy Technologies Office (BETO) to gather input on the current state of bioenergy workforce development in the United States.

2) Is this a grant or funding opportunity?

No. This is not a funding solicitation. It is an information-gathering effort, and the listing notes no expected awards.

3) What is the main purpose of this RFI?

The purpose is to collect practical, real-world input on what bioenergy workforce training and education resources currently exist, how well they match employer needs, and where the biggest gaps and unmet needs are. BETO is aiming to build an evidence-based picture of the bioenergy talent pipeline.

4) What parts of the bioenergy workforce does BETO want to understand?

BETO is looking across the workforce spectrum, including technical roles (such as bioprocessing, operations, lab and analytical work, engineering, quality, safety, and maintenance) and non-technical roles (such as business development, supply chain, logistics, permitting, communications, project management, and other support functions).

5) What kinds of training and workforce-development offerings are in scope?

The RFI seeks information on offerings such as degree programs, certificates, short courses, apprenticeships, internships, on-the-job training models, and credentialing pathways related to biofuels and bioproducts jobs.

6) Who is encouraged to respond to this RFI?

BETO is seeking feedback from a broad range of stakeholders, including industry employers, universities, community colleges, training providers, national laboratories, government agencies, educators, career counselors, and other organizations involved in bioenergy and bioproducts.

7) Is eligibility restricted to certain organization types?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning any type of entity may respond, subject to any specific clarifications in the full RFI text.

8) What topics or questions is BETO trying to answer through responses?

Based on the opportunity description, BETO is aiming to understand what workforce-development offerings exist today, how well those offerings align with employer demand, what barriers prevent workers and students from accessing or completing training, and where the major gaps and unmet needs are.

9) Why is BETO focused on reskilling and upskilling?

A central theme of this RFI is reskilling and upskilling, including support for workers transitioning into bioenergy roles and for workers updating capabilities as technologies, feedstocks, production pathways, and regulations change.

10) How does BETO expect this information to be used?

The stated intent is to help build a clearer evidence-based understanding of the talent pipeline, help individuals connect more easily to existing and emerging workforce-development tools, and help the broader sector respond to evolving skill requirements in the bioenergy industry.

11) What is the opportunity category and instrument type?

The listing places this RFI under an "Other" opportunity category and an "Other" instrument type.

12) What activity areas does this RFI relate to?

The activity areas are tied to employment, labor and training, and energy.

13) Which DOE office issued this RFI?

The issuing agency is the U.S. Department of Energy, Golden Field Office.

14) When was this RFI posted?

The RFI was posted on September 3, 2020.

15) What was the deadline for submitting responses?

Responses were due by 5:00 p.m. EDT on November 2, 2020.

16) How were responses submitted?

Responses had to be submitted electronically via email to bioenergizeme@ee.doe.gov.

17) Where could applicants find the full RFI text?

The full RFI text was made available through DOE's EERE Exchange website at https://eere-exchange.energy.gov/.

18) Does this RFI cover only biofuels, or bioproducts as well?

The description indicates it covers workforce preparation resources for both biofuels and bioproducts jobs.

19) What kinds of barriers is BETO interested in identifying?

Based on the description, BETO is interested in barriers that keep workers and students from accessing training or completing training, and in understanding misalignment (if any) between training offerings and employer demand.

20) If there are no awards, why should organizations respond?

The RFI is intended to shape understanding, planning, and potential future workforce-related efforts by providing DOE/BETO with practical input about what exists today and what is missing across the bioenergy workforce-development landscape.

Browse more opportunities from the same agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office

Browse more opportunities from the same category: Employment, Labor and Training, Energy

Next opportunity: Public Scholars

Previous opportunity: Producing Novel Genome-Level Resources for Vernal Pool Crustaceans of Conservation Concern in California

Applicant Portal:

Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.

Apply for DE FOA 0002413

 

Applicants also applied for:

Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (DE FOA 0002413) also looked into and applied for these:

Funding Opportunity
Workforce Development Strategies Supporting the Solar Industry Apply for DE FOA 0002526

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002526
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Employment, Labor and Training, Energy
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW (BIL): REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) PREPARING WORKERS AND BUSINESSES TO DELIVER ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND BUILDING ELECTRIFICATION MEASURES Apply for DE FOA 0002885

Funding Number: DE FOA 0002885
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Employment, Labor and Training, Energy
Funding Amount: Case Dependent
DE-FOA-0003132 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) 40513: Career Skills Training Apply for DE FOA 0003132

Funding Number: DE FOA 0003132
Agency: Department of Energy, Golden Field Office
Category: Employment, Labor and Training, Energy
Funding Amount: $1,081,250
Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) 40503: Energy Auditor Training Apply for DE FOA 0003204

Funding Number: DE FOA 0003204
Agency: Golden Field Office
Category: Employment, Labor and Training, Energy
Funding Amount: $2,000,000

 

Grant application guides and resources

It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!

Apply for Grants

 

Inside Our Applicants Portal

  • Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
  • Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
  • Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Access Applicants Portal

 

Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers

Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.

If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.

Learn More

 

 

Request more information:

Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "DE FOA 0002413", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:

Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.

 

Ask a Question: