Tribal Energy Development Capacity Grants (15.148)
Tribal Energy Development Capacity Grants (Assistance Listing 15.148) is run by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Bureau of Indian Education, part of the Department of the Interior. It awarded $26.7 million in 119 grants from fiscal 2021 to 2025, about $224,435 per award on average. No funding opportunity is open on Grants.gov right now.
The typical award was $165,834. Half of the 119 awards fell between $99,305 and $250,000, and they ranged from $29,300 to $1.5 million.
- Awarded, FY 2021 to 2025$26.7 million
- Grant awards119
- Typical award$165,834
- Awarded in FY 2025$3.3 million
- Size rank1,221 of 1,823
- Type of assistanceDirect payments for specified use
Key findings
- Annual funding fell from $6.7 million in fiscal 2021 to $3.3 million in fiscal 2025.
- It is the 1221st largest of 1,823 federal grant programs by five-year awards.
- The 20 largest recipients received 53% of the money.
- Awards went to recipients in 25 states and territories.
What the program funds
To provide development grants to Indian tribes for use in developing and sustaining the managerial and technical capacity needed to develop their energy resources, and to properly account for resulting energy production and revenues. Proposals from tribes should strive to achieve the following stated goals: Evaluated the type and range of energy development activities that a tribe way want to assume under a TERA; Determine the current level of scientific, technical, administrative, for financial management capacity of the tribe to assume responsibility for the identified development activities; and determine which scientific, technical, administrative, or financial management capacities need enhancement and what process and/or procedures the grantee may use to eliminate these capacity gaps.
Open opportunities
No opportunity under this program is open or forecast on Grants.gov right now. Programs often post once a year, so the funding history below shows what to expect.
Rules from the program listing
Who can apply
Federally Recognized Indian Tribal Governments.
What the money can and cannot pay for
Federally recognized tribes whose lands are held in trust or restricted fee by the Federal government.
Matching requirements
This program has no statutory formula. Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Award range and average, in the agency's words
Determined on an annual basis, subject to appropriations.
Examples of funded projects
Fiscal Year2025: A Tribe was awarded funding to determine the feasibility of establishing a Tribal Utility Authority (TUA) aimed at increasing energy sovereignty and reducing reliance on external utilities. The proposed initiative responds to persistent challenges faced by the Tribe, including frequent power outages, dependence on external energy providers, and the vulnerability created by their remote location. These issues impact essential services and community safety, making local energy control a critical priority.Fiscal Year2026: Tribal energy resource agreement readiness assessment, tribal energy development organization formation, business and legal planning for energy systems, tribal utility authority feasibility study, energy governance structure feasibility study, organizational review analysis
Funding history and past recipients
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Tribal Energy Development Capacity Grants (15.148) awarded $26.7 million across 119 grant awards, an average of $224,435 per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kawerak, Inc. | Alaska | 2 | $1.8 million |
| Igiugig Village | Alaska | 1 | $1.5 million |
| Ute Indian Tribe | Utah | 2 | $1.4 million |
| Southern Ute Indian Tribe | Colorado | 2 | $1.1 million |
| Navajo Nation Tribal Government | Arizona | 2 | $750,610 |
| Kanosh Band of Paiute Indians | Utah | 1 | $742,720 |
| Calista Corp | Alaska | 1 | $721,510 |
| Osage Nation | Oklahoma | 3 | $670,008 |
| Walker River Paiute Tribe | Nevada | 1 | $650,433 |
| Round Valley Indian Tribes | California | 1 | $594,928 |
| Hoopa Valley Public Utilities District | California | 1 | $590,157 |
| Bear River Band of the Rohnerville Rancheria | California | 3 | $454,550 |
| Sokaogan Chippewa Community | Wisconsin | 2 | $442,002 |
| Wiyot Tribe | California | 2 | $428,846 |
| Pit River Tribe | California | 1 | $400,000 |
| Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe | Nevada | 2 | $399,872 |
| Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians of Wisconsin | Wisconsin | 2 | $399,000 |
| Bristol Bay Native Corporation | Alaska | 2 | $383,453 |
| Metlakatla Indian Community | Alaska | 2 | $370,387 |
| Grand Portage Reservation Tribal Council | Minnesota | 1 | $360,899 |
Who usually wins
Tribal governments and organizations received 90% of the money, nonprofits 6.3% and businesses 1.1%.
| Recipient type | Awards | Amount | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tribal governments and organizations | 110 | $24.1 million | 90% |
| Nonprofits | 5 | $1.7 million | 6.3% |
| Other | 3 | $585,041 | 2.2% |
| Businesses | 1 | $300,000 | 1.1% |
By state
8 states have a page for this program: those that received at least $1 million or 10 awards.
| State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 20 | $6.9 million |
| California | 26 | $5.4 million |
| Utah | 3 | $2.2 million |
| Oklahoma | 12 | $2.0 million |
| Nevada | 4 | $1.2 million |
| Colorado | 2 | $1.1 million |
| Minnesota | 7 | $1.1 million |
| Washington | 6 | $1.0 million |
| Wisconsin | 5 | $941,002 |
| Arizona | 3 | $841,746 |
| New Mexico | 5 | $619,376 |
| Maine | 3 | $491,053 |
| Oregon | 3 | $475,950 |
| Idaho | 3 | $458,292 |
| North Dakota | 3 | $433,234 |
| New York | 2 | $400,050 |
| Michigan | 3 | $309,374 |
| Louisiana | 2 | $290,000 |
| Montana | 1 | $125,400 |
| North Carolina | 1 | $95,000 |
| Texas | 1 | $92,779 |
| Iowa | 1 | $91,923 |
| Massachusetts | 1 | $77,055 |
| Connecticut | 1 | $54,500 |
| Nebraska | 1 | $29,300 |