Workforce development in emerging technical fields is a critical issue for the United States. The Federal government has a key role to play in helping develop models and frameworks to provide interdisciplinary depth and to speed the training in important fields. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) roadmap, “Charting a Course for Success: American’s Strategy for STEM Education,” points to four pathways representing a cross-cutting set of approaches to accomplish science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education goals, among which is the preparation of the STEM workforce for the future:
- Develop and Enrich Strategic Partnerships
- Engage Students where Disciplines Converge
- Build Computations Literacy
- Operate with Transparency and Accountability
The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) in particular is interested in these issues as they pertain to relevant training for emerging technologies in the renewable power, sustainable transportation, and energy efficiency sectors, along with the fundamental science and engineering that feed into them. Many students and recent graduates lack accurate knowledge about careers relevant to these technology sectors, how to gain relevant skills for employment, or the positive impacts these jobs have on quality of life. A cutting-edge joint program can help fill this gap.
This FOA seeks to fund a land-grant university to pursue leading-edge interdisciplinary research that promotes workforce development in emerging fields within EERE-related disciplines and technologies, by supporting a coordinated expansion of existing joint graduate education programs with DOE National Laboratories to prepare the next generation of scientists and engineers.
To maximize the impact of federal funding provided for workforce training and development as a part of this FOA, only land-grant universities that have at least one existing joint graduate education program with a DOE National Laboratory are eligible to apply under this FOA. See Section III.A. for more details.
Successful applications will address the informational gaps mentioned above, as well as other barriers that inhibit a skilled and productive relevant workforce, by developing innovative research and graduate education training programs that leverage existing best practices. Establishing an integrated training and workforce development program will be critical to effectively respond to the expected growth in related industries and to develop and maintain a national competitive advantage in these technology fields.
Establishing EERE-funded programs through coordination with universities that partner with the a DOE National Laboratory can also provide the benefit of expanding a specialized and high-technology skillset across a more diverse talent pool including, for instance, veterans that are transitioning in the civilian life and minority groups that are underrepresented in STEM.
Interested applicants should submit the following documents in sequence in one PDF file (File name: Last name_DE-FOA-0002283_2020 no later than 4:00 p.m. on the internal submission deadline:
1. Cover Letter (1 page, pdf):
- Descriptive title of proposed activity
- Name(s), address(es), and telephone number(s) of the PD(s)/PI(s)
- Names of other key personnel
- Participating institution(s)
- Number and title of this funding opportunity
2. Project Description (no more than two pages, pdf) and identify the project scope that addresses the key aspects and elements, principal investigators, collaborators, and partner organizations.
3. 2-page CV's of Investigators
Formatting Guidelines:
Font/size: Times New Roman (12 pt.)
Document margins: 1.0” (top, bottom, left and right)
Standard paper size (8 ½” x 11)
Questions concerning the limited submissions process may be submitted to limitedsubs@psu.edu.