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

FY 2024 DOE Office of Science RENEW (DE-FOA-0003280) - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the RENEW funding opportunity?

FY 2024 Reaching a New Energy Sciences Workforce (RENEW) (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. It funds structured research traineeships that connect participants directly to DOE research environments while helping institutions build lasting research foundations.

What is the main goal of RENEW?

The program aims to create hands-on, meaningful research experiences for students and postdoctoral researchers and to build deeper, sustained engagement between participating academic institutions and DOE Office of Science mission-relevant research and infrastructure over time.

Who should lead a RENEW traineeship proposal?

To be responsive, traineeships must be led by a non-R1 Emerging Research Institution (ERI) or a non-R1 Minority Serving Institution (MSI). This requirement is intended to keep the primary leadership and capacity-building benefits anchored at institutions historically underrepresented in the Office of Science portfolio.

Are only certain institutions eligible to apply?

The eligibility field is listed as "Unrestricted," but the program requirements described effectively narrow lead applicants to non-R1 ERIs and non-R1 MSIs. Other domestic entities can participate as team members through subawards or collaborative application structures.

What kinds of partners are expected in a RENEW project?

RENEW is built around partnerships with DOE-affiliated research environments. Expected partners include DOE National Laboratories, Office of Science user facilities, Bioenergy Research Centers, and DOE Isotope Program Production Sites. Proposals may also include partnerships with multiple DOE-affiliated institutions.

Can a traineeship include more than one DOE-affiliated partner?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly allows partnerships with multiple DOE-affiliated institutions so trainees can experience a wider range of Office of Science-supported research and potential career pathways.

What makes a RENEW traineeship different from a typical internship or placement?

RENEW expects a structured traineeship with clear expectations, planned developmental activities, and defined learning outcomes. It emphasizes sustained, hands-on research engagement and professional development, rather than an unstructured placement without clear training goals.

What type of research experience is expected for undergraduate trainees?

For undergraduates, RENEW expects hands-on research that teaches the real practice of science, including identifying knowledge gaps, forming hypotheses, testing ideas, and working in team settings to meet defined objectives.

How should proposals address different preparation levels among trainees?

Proposals are expected to explain how the traineeship will accommodate trainees who may arrive with different levels of coursework, prior research exposure, or technical skills.

What is expected for graduate student and postdoctoral trainees?

For graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, the scope should be appropriately advanced and designed to cultivate future leaders. Activities should be intellectually meaningful and intended to build independence, expertise, and professional direction.

How often should trainees be engaged in research?

RENEW emphasizes regular, active engagement in meaningful research tasks. Weekly engagement is given as an example to illustrate the desired cadence and continuity needed for measurable outcomes.

Does RENEW support short-term or superficial research experiences?

No. The opportunity states that traineeships are meant to be substantive and developmental, not short or superficial. It also notes that effective training is typically long-term and year-round.

What types of tasks should trainees avoid being limited to?

Trainees should not be relegated primarily to routine work, simple lab chores, or purely literature-based assignments. Instead, they should consistently participate in meaningful research activities.

What professional development elements are expected?

RENEW expects a well-designed professional development component that supports career advancement and builds or reinforces STEM identity and a sense of belonging. Examples mentioned include research presentations, participation in scientific meetings, lectures, mentoring structures, and development of new educational content that ties the research experience back to academic curriculum.

How important is mentoring in the traineeship design?

Mentoring is a clear expectation within the professional development and training structure. Proposals should include planned mentoring structures that support trainee progression.

What does the funding announcement suggest about budgeting priorities?

RENEW signals that a significant portion of the proposed budget should be dedicated to direct trainee support. It also indicates a preference for applications that provide trainee compensation comparable to local cost of living and/or practical supports such as guaranteed housing.

Does RENEW require paying trainees or providing housing?

The opportunity expresses a preference for cost-of-living-comparable compensation and/or supports such as guaranteed housing, and it emphasizes direct trainee support as a major budget priority. The announcement positions financial stability as important for participation and retention.

What is the maximum award size?

Awards can be as large as $2,250,000.

How many awards does DOE anticipate making?

DOE anticipates making about 30 awards.

When is the closing date for this opportunity?

The listed closing date is July 23, 2024.

What federal program category and identifier are associated with this grant?

This is a discretionary grant in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category, with CFDA 81.049.

What should a competitive RENEW proposal clearly define?

A competitive proposal would clearly define the traineeship structure, including who is trained, for how long, what research they will do, and what outcomes are expected. It should also describe mentorship, professional development, and how trainees progress through the program.

What role do DOE-affiliated research environments play in competitiveness?

Strong, credible DOE-affiliated research partnerships are central. Competitive proposals demonstrate authentic access to national-lab or user-facility caliber research and show how that environment will be integrated into trainee research and development.

How does RENEW relate to building institutional research capacity?

RENEW is intended not only to train individuals, but also to help participating campuses develop deeper and more sustained engagement with Office of Science-relevant science and infrastructure, building longer-term research foundations at the lead institutions.

What kinds of outcomes is RENEW aiming for?

The opportunity emphasizes measurable short-term and long-term outcomes tied to sustained, regular research engagement, professional development, and a structured training approach that supports persistence and success in STEM pathways relevant to DOE Office of Science.