The U.S. Department of Energy (U.S. Department of Energy) has announced a new $3.5 million funding opportunity aimed at supporting microgrid development in tribal and remote communities facing high energy costs and unreliable electricity infrastructure.
The programme is being administered through the Community Microgrid Assistance Partnership (C-MAP) and includes up to $2.5 million in direct project funding along with approximately $1 million in technical assistance and administrative support.
The initiative is focused on helping isolated communities improve energy reliability through microgrids capable of operating independently or alongside existing power grids during outages. Officials say the funding is intended to strengthen local energy resilience while supporting economic development in underserved regions.
According to the DOE, the programme prioritizes projects connected to industrial development and large-scale energy users, including critical mineral operations, enterprise computing facilities, and other infrastructure requiring stable electricity access in remote locations.
Selected projects will receive between $200,000 and $575,000 in direct financial support, in addition to up to 24 months of technical assistance from national laboratories and community partners.
Eligible applicants include federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native villages and corporations, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and energy cooperatives. Proposed projects must serve communities with populations of 10,000 or fewer and demonstrate high electricity costs or grid reliability challenges.
DOE officials said stronger microgrid systems can improve energy security for industrial, commercial, public safety, and community facilities while also creating opportunities for local workforce development and long-term economic growth.
Applications for the programme are due by July 2, 2026, with the Department of Energy also planning an informational webinar to guide interested applicants through the funding process.
