ConnectWerx, a Partnership Intermediary of DOE in collaboration with the Arctic Energy (AE) Office and the Office of Technology Commercialization has established the Arctic Energy Seed Awards which will fund multiple awards to support the execution of projects in the Arctic that focus on the delivery of support, including technical assistance, training towards energy efficiency projects, addressing the energy burden of low-income communities, regional workforce development, and seed funding.  These awards are meant to fund projects such as critical discussions, project development, technology testing, siting studies, kick-starting energy research, workforce development, and other foundational efforts which can help optimize one of the large investments in Arctic Energy projects made by DOE, and/or lead to larger investments. Alaska or U.S. Arctic-based companies, schools, or other entities are encouraged to apply.

Complete the online application and upload the appropriate project information and supporting documentation in the application link below for CWX-022-AE.

Submissions are due no later than December 17, 2025 at 4 PM ET / 12 PM AKST.

Submissions must include the following files as indicated in the below chart, using the required template (hyperlinked below):

Submission Requirements

Responses shall be submitted by the date and time specified above.

Files shall be submitted in Microsoft Office or Adobe Acrobat format, no larger than 5MB. All files shall be print-capable, without a password. Filenames must contain the appropriate extension and shall not contain special characters. Appropriate files extensions are:

Late submissions will not be accepted. Submissions can be made in advance of the deadline and updated (or files replaced) up to the deadline.

The objective of these Seed Awards is to enable and accelerate the delivery of projects that address energy needs in the Arctic. Energy prices are higher in most areas of Alaska than the rest of the nation, due to factors including locations off the road system, lack of infrastructure, and extreme weather. The Arctic Energy Office intends to provide training and assistance to help facilitate project growth and development through small dollar awards.

How to Participate

1. Review details on eligibility, evaluation criteria, and how to apply
2. Review the Informational Webinar/Objective Strategic Session (OSS) presentation here
3. Attend the Office Hours on December 4, 2025 at 4 PM ET / 12PM AKST, click here to register
4. Download the Project Narrative template
5. Complete the Submission Form & upload the Completed Project Narrative in the application link by clicking here. Submissions are due no later than December 17, 2025 at 4 PM ET / 12 PM AKST

December 17, 2025 at 4 PM ET / 12 PM AKST

Review the Informational Webinar/Objective Strategic Session (OSS) presentation here

Informational Office Hours will be held on December 4, 2025 at 4 PM ET / 12 PM AKST, click here to register

• November 17, 2025: Opportunity Announcement and Application Open
• November 17, 2025: Informational Webinar/Objective Strategic Session (OSS) presentation posted
• December 4, 2025 at 4 PM ET / 12 PM AKST: Office Hours for outstanding questions
• December 17, 2025 at 4 PM ET / 12 PM AKST: Application period closes

Applicants must support the execution of projects in the U.S. Arctic. No individual will be eligible, and applications must be connected to one of the listed performer entities.

This PIA will not fund foreign entities or participants that are controlled or owned by non-US entities, but applicants may be involved with other Arctic partners in their work.

Awards will fund multiple awards up to $50,000 each to support the execution of projects in the U.S. Arctic. Awards over $50,000 will be considered by request with additional justification and budget analysis and subject to available funding.

Projects must be in Alaska or for the benefit of the Arctic. Applications from Alaska or Arctic-based companies, schools, or other entities are encouraged.

Project Description and Objectives – 40%

• Concise explanation of key considerations that inform the scope and approach
• Clear explanation of the approach, any tools and methodologies that will be used, and the merit and relevance of the project
• Convincing explanation of how the project, approach, tools and methodologies, and goals will address the gap or need, and how the project may catalyze future investments, savings, or progress.
• Team synergy – how and why the team will work well together

Project Workplan and Budget – 20%

• Clear description of the major tasks
• Expected milestones, duration and budget
• Information presented in the suggested table

Risks & Mitigation Strategies – 20%

• Key risks associated with proposed activities clearly identified
• Associated mitigation strategies for each clearly described

Project Team – 20%

• Expertise clearly demonstrated
• Responsibilities clearly described
• Clear description of organizational capabilities and any additional resources clearly described
• Concise explanation of how and why the team will work well together to execute this project, including past collaborations, complementing expertise, etc.

Please visit ConnectWerx’s Resources page for additional templates and FAQs.

• What is the period of performance?
  • For this project, AE is interested in analysis to be performed within a 12-month period. Upon review of proposals, DOE will consider extending the period of performance (PoP) with ability to add a 6-month option with written agreement.
• What is a PIA and why is DOE pursuing this approach?  
  • Partnership Intermediary Agreements (PIAs) are agreements between the Federal government and non-Federal partners (partnership intermediaries or PIs) designed to increase outreach to and engagement with small business firms, institutes of higher education, and non-traditional partners.
• How will the agreement process work after DOE selection?
  • Upon conclusion of selection from DOE Program Office Representative (POR) and finalization of milestone schedule, ConnectWerx will issue a business-to-business (B2B) agreement to the lead performer for review and execution. The B2B agreement will contain mandatory flow downs from the prime Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) executed between DOE and Advanced Technology International.
• How does invoicing and payments work with ConnectWerx? 
  • Upon completion of milestones, invoices will be submitted to ConnectWerx for review with DOE and payment release. Incremental payments to the performer will be made in accordance with the established milestones and deliverables as written (and approved by DOE POR) in the B2B agreements. The payment schedule for each project is to be determined based on negotiated milestones and deliverables. Please be aware, additional documentation and support for expenditures may be requested as determined by DOE.
• How does an applicant apply? What is required in the application?
  • Information about how to apply, application materials, and deadlines will be available on the opportunity page once the opportunity has been released.
• What is the maximum number of entities that could be funded as part of the collaborative?
  • DOE encourages proposals of various size and scale and will fund projects accordingly within the program budget.
• Is this a grant or an award?
  • Neither. This opportunity is run via a Partnership Intermediary Agreement. PIAs are agreements between the Federal government and non-Federal partners (partnership intermediaries or PIs) designed to support DOE’s missions to expand the development and deployment of transmission solutions, heighten energy security, and strengthen national energy ecosystems.