Minority Economic Impact
Active
- Assistance listing
- 81.137
- Agency
-
Department of Energy
- Grant awards
- 42 $72,387,251 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Also known as
- Minority Education Awards and Minority Business and Economic Development Programs
- Assistance types
-
- Project Grant
- Cooperative Agreement
- Treasury account
-
- 89-0228-0-1-050
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Department of Energy is awarding grants under CFDA 81.137 (Minority Economic Impact) to enhance the participation and sustainability of minority-serving institutions and minority business enterprises in STEM and energy sectors, with the most recent award issued January 1, 2025.
The program funds workforce development and research capacity at eligible institutions—HBCUs, HSIs, TCUs, AAPI-serving institutions, and nonprofits serving these communities. Funded activities include curriculum enhancement and instrumentation acquisition; development of STEM coursework aligned with DOE missions; professional development and faculty support; student scholarships and internships at DOE national laboratories; and basic research leading to career pathways in the DOE Environmental Management complex. Recent awards reflect two distinct funding streams: DOE-EM partnership programs supporting STEM pipeline development at minority-serving institutions, and broader economic impact initiatives supporting clean energy workforce development and entrepreneurship training.
The portfolio is predominantly Cooperative Agreements (64% of 42 awards) with a smaller share of Project Grants (36%). Federal dollars concentrate heavily within DOE's Office of Environmental Management, which obligated $57.9 million across 13 awards, compared to the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity at $14.2 million across 25 awards. Combined federal dollars obligated total $72.4 million since 2010. Award magnitude varies significantly by program: DOE-EM MSIPP grants typically range $2.1 million to $4.8 million over three-year performance periods, while broader economic impact awards span from under $100 thousand to $20 million (Claflin University, October 2022, $20 million obligated for STEM workforce development). Award cadence has been variable—10 awards in 2020, declining to 3 in 2023, then rising to 8 in 2024 before dropping to 1 in 2025.
The 2024 DOE-EM MSIPP NOFO (DE-FOA-0003422) closed with a concept paper due date of October 15, 2024; the two-step process made full applications due subsequently to selected concept paper submitters. The 2023 MSIPP NOFO (DE-FOA-0002820) closed with applications due September 19, 2023. No open solicitation is currently posted in the source material.
Objective and description
- Objective
The program objectives are to enhance the participation and sustainability of MSIs and MBEs in energy and STEM sectors throughout the country, including the DOE complex, particularly its national laboratories. This initiative is to increase the numbe
- Description
Example: Purpose: to create a pipeline of minority thought leaders (researchers), employees, innovators and entrepreneurs in the STEM and energy sectors Goals: Objective 1: Increase sustained, strategic, public-private partnerships that will provide professional development to underserved communities. Objective 2: Enhance outreach and recruitment strategies designed to increase the number of minorities who enroll in college to pursue science and technology programs of study. Objective 3: Enhance advisement and faculty development strategies designed to increase retention in energy-related programs of study.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Serving Institutions, and non-profit institutions servicing HBCUs, HSIs, TCUs, and AAPIs. Additionally, minority business enterprises, and organizations the primary purpose which is to assist in the development of those communities will be able to participate in the research, development, demonstration, and contract activities of the Department.
- Beneficiary eligibility
The general public, scientists, researchers, student/trainee, graduate students, institutions of higher learning, DOE, minority business enterprises, and organizations the primary purpose which is to assist in the development of those communities and other US government agencies will benefit. Middle and high school will also benefit due to the institutions of higher learning's programs supported by DOE.
- Uses of assistance
Financial support, in whole or in part, may be provided for salaries, stipends, materials and supplies, equipment, travel, publication and training, and services required for conducting research, training, and related activities. Funding is provided for the purpose of exploring an idea that does not duplicate work already in progress or contemplated by DOE, is not already known to DOE, or has previously unrecognized merit. Restrictions on the use of funds depend on grant provisions.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
One Base Year, with two option years if funding available, for most financial assistance agreement
How to apply
- Criteria for selecting proposals
Merit Review Panel Process as specified by the Notice of Funding Opportunity Announcement
- Award procedure
Various
- Deadlines
Deadline determined by Funding Opportunity Announcements
Grant opportunities
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 42 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Claflin University | $20,000,000 | 28% |
| 2 | Northwest Indian College | $5,000,000 | 7% |
| 3 | New Mexico State University | $4,827,097 | 7% |
| 4 | Tennessee State University | $4,223,925 | 6% |
| 5 | Florida A & M University | $3,757,457 | 5% |
| 6 | The Regents Of The University Of California | $3,599,445 | 5% |
| 7 | The University Of Texas At San Antonio | $3,141,217 | 4% |
| 8 | Texas State University | $3,007,637 | 4% |
| 9 | Rutgers, The State University | $3,004,946 | 4% |
| 10 | University Of California, Merced | $2,884,331 | 4% |
10 of 40 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2026 | -$1,504,300 |
| FY2025 | $1,970,554 |
| FY2024 | $26,635,698 |
| FY2023 | $3,381,169 |
| FY2022 | $31,266,269 |
| FY2021 | $503,063 |
| FY2020 | $4,509,375 |
| FY2019 | $1,818,508 |
| FY2018 | $100,000 |
| FY2017 | $1,370,962 |
| FY2016 | $531,818 |
Show all 11
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 81.137?
Assistance Listing 81.137 is Minority Economic Impact, a federal grant program run by Department of Energy.
What is the CFDA number for Minority Economic Impact?
Its CFDA number is 81.137: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 81.137 awarded?
42 grant awards under 81.137 have obligated $72,387,251 in federal funds to 40 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 81.137?
The recipients obligated the most under Minority Economic Impact are Claflin University ($20,000,000), Northwest Indian College ($5,000,000) and New Mexico State University ($4,827,097).
How much did 81.137 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 81.137 obligated $1,970,554 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
Are there open grant opportunities under 81.137?
No opportunity listed under 81.137 is open now. The latest, 2024 Department of Energy Office of Environmental Management (DOE-EM) Minority Serving Institutions Partnership Program (MSIPP) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), was posted on September 12, 2024.
On GovTribe
See this program's full record
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