Applications are Now Available

In 2026, Tribal Energy Alternatives launched their Tribal College Energy Professional Learning Fund. The Tribal College Energy Professional Learning Fund is a part of TEA’s Tribal Energy Education Collaborative and serves to support Tribal Colleges and Universities in growing their internal staff capacity to support students in their energy education. TCU’s serves as a hub for tribal workforce development, and TEA is committed to supporting the TCU’s role in advancing tribal energy sovereignty.  

Through the Tribal College Energy Professional Learning Fund, TEA will be offering professional development funds up to $5000 for faculty and administrators who has been affiliated with their institution for a minimum of 2+ years and interested in developing or enhancing renewable energy programs at their institutions. The use of funds is restricted to professional development opportunities across the clean energy ecosystem. Priority will be given to opportunities with continuing education certifications.  

Timeline of the program:  

• Funds are available on a rolling basis until September 30, 2026, or until fully subscribed. 
• Once application and awarding are approved attend at minimum ONE individual virtual meeting with our Workforce Team 
• Final participant reports will be due not more than 2 weeks after the professional development activity is completed. 

Examples of opportunities that this fund may cover:  

• Conferences and seminars 
• Certifications, licensing, and training related to building CTE program capacity 
• Project feasibility studies 
• Tools and resources 
• Hiring a professional mentor or professional consultant 
• Technical Skill development  
• Curriculum development and career and technical education development opportunities 

Program Eligibility Requirements: 

• Be a faculty/administrator at a Tribal College/University for a minimum of two years. 
• Be able to provide a letter of support from their respective Tribal College/University leadership. 
• Provide a detailed overview of how they will utilize funds and provide descriptions of the proposed learning opportunities  
• Final deliverable:  
• Participants will required to complete a final grantee report that outlines how the professional development opportunity was beneficial to their personal development and how they will utilize what they have learned as a tool for the institution around planning for student development, curriculum, or community-based energy initiatives.