FY 2024 Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW) | DE FOA 0003280

Opportunity Information: Apply for DE FOA 0003280

The FY 2024 Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW) funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0003280) is a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science (SC) grant program designed to expand and strengthen the pipeline of scientists, engineers, and technicians prepared to contribute to Office of Science research. The core idea is to build lasting research foundations at academic institutions that have historically been underrepresented in the Office of Science portfolio by supporting structured traineeships that connect those institutions directly to DOE research environments. RENEW emphasizes hands-on, real research experiences that can open doors for students and postdoctoral researchers, while also helping participating campuses develop deeper, more sustained engagement with SC-relevant science and infrastructure over time.

A central feature of RENEW is its focus on non-R1 Emerging Research Institutions (ERIs) and non-R1 Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). To be responsive to the program, proposed traineeships must be led by a non-R1 ERI or a non-R1 MSI, ensuring that the primary leadership and capacity-building benefits stay anchored at the institutions the program is meant to elevate. At the same time, the program is explicitly built around partnerships: traineeships are expected to involve conducting research in collaboration with a DOE-affiliated partner, such as a DOE National Laboratory, an Office of Science user facility, a Bioenergy Research Center, or a DOE Isotope Program Production Site. Applicants may also structure partnerships with multiple DOE-affiliated institutions so trainees can see a wider range of Office of Science-supported research and career pathways.

The traineeships supported by RENEW are meant to be substantive and developmental, not short or superficial. For undergraduates, the program expects hands-on research that teaches the actual practice of science, including recognizing knowledge gaps, forming hypotheses, testing ideas, and working effectively in team settings to meet defined objectives. Proposals are also expected to explain how the program will accommodate different starting levels of preparation among trainees, since participants may arrive with varied coursework, research exposure, or technical skills. For graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, the traineeship scope should be scaled to help cultivate future leaders in their disciplines, meaning the research activities should be appropriately advanced, intellectually meaningful, and designed to grow independence, expertise, and professional direction.

Across all trainee levels, RENEW places strong emphasis on regular, active engagement in meaningful research tasks. The opportunity makes it clear that trainees should not be relegated to routine work, simple lab chores, or purely literature-based assignments. Instead, trainees are expected to participate consistently, with engagement occurring on a regular cadence (weekly is given as an example), so that the experience has enough continuity and intensity to deliver measurable short-term and long-term outcomes. The program also reinforces that effective training is typically long-term and year-round, reflecting research indicating that sustained experiences increase student commitment and confidence in their ability to succeed in STEM fields.

Beyond research time, RENEW expects a well-designed professional development component that supports career advancement and helps trainees build or reinforce STEM identity and a sense of belonging. Examples include research presentations, participation in scientific meetings, lectures, mentoring structures, and even development of new educational content that connects the research experience back to academic curriculum. In other words, the traineeship should function as a structured training program with clear expectations and planned developmental activities, not simply a placement or internship without defined learning outcomes.

Budget priorities are also a major part of the program design. RENEW indicates a preference for applications that provide trainee compensation comparable to the local cost of living and/or provide practical supports such as guaranteed housing. To make that possible, the funding announcement signals that a significant portion of the proposed budget should be dedicated to direct trainee support, reinforcing that the trainees themselves are the primary beneficiaries and that financial stability is viewed as important for participation and retention.

From an administrative standpoint, this opportunity is a discretionary grant in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category (CFDA 81.049). While the eligibility field is listed as "Unrestricted," the program requirements described in the announcement effectively narrow lead applicants to non-R1 ERIs and non-R1 MSIs, with other domestic entities allowed to participate as team members through subawards or a collaborative application structure. The closing date listed is July 23, 2024. Awards can be as large as $2,250,000, and DOE anticipates making about 30 awards, indicating an effort to fund a sizable cohort of traineeship-building projects rather than only a small number of large centers.

In practical terms, a competitive RENEW proposal would clearly define the traineeship structure (who is trained, for how long, doing what, and with what outcomes), demonstrate strong and credible DOE-affiliated research partnerships that provide authentic access to national lab or user-facility caliber science, and show a thoughtful plan for mentorship, professional development, and trainee progression. It would also typically document how the program will reduce barriers to participation through pay and/or housing support, and how the institution will use the traineeship experience to build longer-term research capacity and sustained engagement with Office of Science mission areas.

• The Office of Science in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2024 Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 81.049.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-03-12.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-07-23. (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 $2,250,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.

Apply for DE FOA 0003280

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