Partnerships for Academic-Industry Career Training (PACT) Initiative

Submit by July 17, 2026 5:00 PM ET

Summary

The PACT Initiative opportunity will enhance the nation’s capacity for a highly skilled energy workforce to help establish America’s energy dominance. Up to $11,300,000 will be available to institutions of higher education, including up to $2,300,000 exclusively to Tribal Colleges and Universities. Awards will establish regional consortia (comprising academic institutions, industry employers, and workforce development entities) that will create or expand hands-on training programs and credentials supporting the production of hydrocarbons and geothermal energy.

Information

Description

U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Hydrocarbons and Geothermal Energy Office (HGEO) and Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs (IE) are soliciting applications from institutions of higher education (IHEs) through the Partnerships for Academic-Career Training (PACT) Initiative. Awards will establish regional consortia which must include at least one two-year IHE (e.g., vocational schools, trade schools, technical colleges, community colleges, Tribal colleges), at least two industry employers, and at least one workforce development entity. The prime applicant must be an IHE and must have signed documentation of commitment from each consortium partner.

TechWerx, a DOE Partnership Intermediary, has opened an initial funding opportunity in collaboration with HGEO and IE for approximately $11,300,000. TechWerx intends to issue between four (4) and eight (8) Topic A awards and between three (3) and six (6) Topic B awards to eligible IHEs as part of this PIA. Up to $2,300,000 will be available for awards exclusively to Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs), as contributed by IE.

Objective

The goal of the PACT initiative is to increase the number of highly skilled individuals entering the American energy workforce. During the application period, each consortium will choose between the two topic areas listed below:

  • Topic A - Enhance: applicants seeking resources to enhance their existing training program(s) or reorient them to focus on energy careers.
  • Topic B - Establish: applicants seeking resources to establish a new training program to focus on energy careers.

Training program participants will, upon completion, receive stackable credentials relevant to the applicant’s identified technology area.

Awarded projects for either topic will involve a two-phase approach (see Figure 1).

  • Phase 1 - involves an initial planning period for the workforce consortium to design and plan a training program(s) which leads to energy jobs.
  • Phase 2 - involves executing the training programs designed in Phase 1.

Figure 1: Outline of PIA Award Phases

Each awarded consortium must include:

  • At least one (1) two-year IHE (e.g., vocational schools, trade schools, technical colleges, community colleges, TCUs).
  • At least two (2) industry employers.
  • At least one (1) workforce development entity.
  • The consortium may include additional partners – see Eligibility section below.

The prime applicant must be an IHE and must have signed documentation of commitment from each consortium partner.

Eligible Technology Areas

Programs shall train for occupations that address a regional need for workforce in at least one of the following technology areas:

  • Integration, safe use, and maintenance of oil, natural gas, coal, or geothermal energy technologies
  • Using CO2 to improve hydrocarbon recovery
  • Produced water treatment and disposal
  • Power generation for data centers or remote operations
  • Technologies that enable any of the above technology areas, including but not limited to:
    • Construction related to the building-out of facilities or infrastructure
    • Applying and using artificial intelligence and machine learning
    • Geographic information systems

Intended Roles of Consortium Members

Consortium members should have backgrounds and capabilities commensurate with the intended roles outlined below.

Refer to the Eligibility and Review Criteria section for additional eligibility information.

  • Prime Applicant: Must be an IHE. Primary coordinator of the consortium. Coordinates the planning and execution of the training program. Submits application on behalf of the consortium and is the lead point of contact with Techwerx and DOE.
  • Two-year IHE (at least one required): Primary host site of the training program developed through the PACT Initiative. Participants enroll here and receive credentials upon successful completion of the program. May be the prime applicant.
  • Industry employer (at least two required): Inform the training program of workforce skills needed relevant to the identified technology area. Recognize the credentials awarded to graduates of the training program. Capable of hiring individuals who have completed the training program.
  • Workforce development entity (at least one required): Provide expertise in workforce development. May provide leadership in implementing two or more of the following types of activities:
    1. understanding and analyzing the regional need for education and training in the identified technology area, addressing hiring needs, identifying target populations, and providing relevant sources of data, including labor market information and other tools or reports
    2. assessing potential participants for the grant program
    3. identifying and referring candidates for education and training in the grant program
    4. providing additional supportive services
    5. connecting and placing participants with employers that have job openings
    6. collecting, tracking, and reporting participant data to DOE
      * If other consortium partner(s) also have any of the above capabilities, this should be stated in the application.
  • Other stakeholders (optional): Provide additional input on training methods, worker placement, support services, technology insights, community engagement, etc.

Figure 2: Intended Roles of Consortium Members

Phase 1: Planning

Awardees in both topics will undergo an initial planning phase to design the training programs, recruit students, and perform other activities. Funding provided for Phase 1 will be proposed in the Budget spreadsheet and will be established during award negotiation. Awardees may advance to Phase 2 (Execution) within 2-12 months of award initiation upon successfully meeting Go/No-Go criteria.

At a minimum, work through Phase 1 must involve:

  • designing curriculum and stackable credentials using evidence-based training strategies1
  • recruiting prospective trainees for program enrollment
  • establishing work placement pathways for IHE students with industry partners
  • planning for the provision and management of supportive services to program participants
  • outlining a program sustainment plan to support the program after DOE funding concludes.

Additional activities to be performed during Phase 1 can include (but are not limited to) providing training or job-shadowing opportunities for instructors or administrative staff; acquiring equipment from industry partners to offer hands-on training opportunities on the two-year IHE campus; identifying and connecting with stakeholders as additional consortium members; development of memoranda of understanding; coordination with relevant stakeholders to progress towards adopting the Energy and Natural Resources Career Cluster for Career and Technical Education programs.

1 Evidence-based training models may include but are not limited to On-the Job Training, Registered Apprenticeship Programs, etc.

Expected deliverables for Phase 1 may include, but are not limited to:

  1. an Action Plan with specific milestones to improve the regional workforce pipeline in the identified technology area. This includes activities to either:
    1. Enhance an existing training program with new stackable credentials, 1-2 new courses, new equipment, and/or new instructor training.
    2. Establish a new training program that develops at least 3 new courses, involves hands-on training and leads participants to receive stackable credentials to use in energy jobs with industry partners.
    The action plan will state the number of students currently enrolled in relevant courses and anticipated enrollment in the new courses developed through this award.
  2. participation in working group meetings to share successes and lessons learned with other awardees.

Go/No-Go criteria
Awardees will receive the remaining portion of their awarded funds upon advancing to Phase 2 of the project. Selection for Phase 2 funding will be based upon successfully meeting Go/No-Go criteria, which includes:

  • Submitting an Action Plan that consists of:
    • Clear milestones for finalization of curriculum, recruitment, enrollment of first cohort, graduation of first cohort
    • Clear metrics that will define success of the training program – rates of enrollment, retention, graduation, work placement
  • Successfully completing Phase 1 milestones set in the initial work plan
  • Retaining at least one two-year IHE, two industry employers, and one workforce development entity as consortium members at completion of Phase 1

Phase 2: Execution

Topic A awardees will carry out their Action Plan leading to and including the delivery of the enhanced courses to the first cohort of enrollees. Awardees will administer supportive services to program participants, including support for job placement. Awardees will track the enrollment, retention, graduation, and work placement rate of program participants for two years post program implementation.

Topic B awardees will carry out their Action Plan to implement and deliver the pre-designed curriculum into three or more new courses where enrollees will receive stackable credentials upon successful completion. Awardees will administer supportive services to program participants, including support for job placement. Awardees will track the enrollment, retention, graduation, and work placement rate of participants of the program for two years post program implementation.

Additional Phase 2 activities can include (but are not limited to) offering comprehensive career navigation services to participants; continued recruitment of prospective students, continuation of additional activities initiated in Phase 1.

Expected deliverables for Phase 2 may include, but are not limited to:

  1. an enhanced or newly established training program that facilitates the training of students and incumbent workers who will receive at least one industry-recognized stackable credential relevant to the identified technology area.
  2. participation in working group meetings to share successes and lessons learned with other awardees.
  3. a semi-annual report of the enrollment, retention, graduation, and work placement rate of participants of the training program, to be continued for two years after program initiation.

How to Participate

  1. Review eligibility criteria
  2. Recommended: Attend the Informational Webinar on May 13, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET
  3. Recommended: Attend the Office Hours on June 3, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET and July 9, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET
  4. Required: Download and fill-out the Project Narrative Template:
    Download Project Narrative Template
  5. Required: Download and fill-out the PACT Budget Template:
    Download PACT Budget Template
  6. Required: Complete the Application Submission and upload here:
    Submit by July 17, 2026 5:00 PM ET

Important Dates

Application Period

May 4, 2026 - July 17, 2026

Informational Webinar

May 13, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET

Informational “Office Hours” Sessions

June 3, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET and July 9, 2026 at 3:00 PM ET

Submission Deadline(s)

July 17, 2026 by 5:00 PM ET

Timeline

Phase 1) Submissions Open from May 4, 2026 - July 17, 2026

  • Informational Webinar on May 13, 2026: DOE will provide additional details about this opportunity. Potential applicants can gain a better understanding of the scope, scale, and intent of the opportunity and ask questions of the DOE staff.
  • Informational Office Hours on June 3, 2026 and July 9, 2026: DOE staff will answer any remaining questions from potential applicants before the submission deadline.

Phase 2) DOE Selection is expected by Fall 2026: DOE will review submissions based on relevance to the program objectives and review criteria and notify selected entities of next steps. DOE may choose to meet with submitters or ask additional clarifying questions prior to selection.

Phase 3) Negotiations will occur for approximately 1 to 2 months after selections have been made: Selected organizations will meet with TechWerx to negotiate work, budget, timing and impact.

Eligibility & Review Criteria

1. Eligible applicants must meet the following criteria:

  1. Regional consortia must include at least one two-year IHE (e.g., vocational schools, trade schools, technical colleges, community colleges, TCUs), at least two industry employers, and at least one workforce development entity. The prime applicant must be an IHE and must have signed documentation of commitment from each consortium partner.
    1. All institutions of higher education (IHEs) will be eligible to apply for this Opportunity, including but not limited to non-traditional partners of DOE (e.g., two-year IHEs, particularly trade schools, vocational schools, technical colleges, community colleges, and TCUs).
    2. More than one IHE may be involved in the consortium, but a two-year IHE must be the primary host site of the training program.
    3. Industry employer partners can include any private sector entity relevant to the identified technology area that can identify applicable skills for employees in their industry.
    4. Workforce development entity partners can include State and Local Workforce Development Boards and Tribal Program entities eligible for funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
    5. Other stakeholders (e.g., DOE National Laboratories, Indian Tribes, other educational entities, workforce intermediaries, regional Apprenticeship and Training Representatives) can join the consortium as advisors.
    6. To demonstrate active involvement of partnership entities, applicants must provide signed documentation of commitments.
    7. IE is contributing to the program to support Tribal Colleges and Universities or TCUs amongst eligible IHEs. A “Tribal College and University" for purposes of this proposal, means an institution of higher education which is formally controlled, or has been formally sanctioned, or chartered, by the governing body of an Indian tribe or tribes (in the context of a TCU, “institution of higher education” has the meaning as defined at 25 U.S.C. § 1801(a)(5)).
  2. Applicant qualifies as a domestic entity1
  3. Applicant must certify it is not owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of government of Country of Risk2
  4. Ineligible entities for this solicitation are:
    1. Individuals
    2. Foreign Entities
    3. Persons participating in a Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Program of a Foreign Country of Risk are prohibited from participating in projects selected for federal funding under this Opportunity. Should an award result from this Opportunity, the recipient must exercise ongoing due diligence to reasonably ensure that no individuals participating on the DOE-funded project are participating in a Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Program of a Foreign Country of Risk. Consequences for violations of this prohibition will be determined according to applicable law, regulations, and policy. Further, the recipient must notify DOE within five (5) business days upon learning that an individual on the project team is or is believed to be participating in a foreign government talent recruitment program of a foreign country of risk. DOE may modify and add requirements related to this prohibition to the extent required by law.3

DOE retains the prerogative to require additional information from the applicants to verify the applicant meets the eligibility requirements. Further, DOE retains the prerogative to decide whether to fund the proposed project entirely, partially, or not at all.

1 To qualify as a domestic entity, the entity must be organized, chartered or incorporated (or otherwise formed) under the laws of a particular state, Indian Tribe, or territory of the United States; have majority domestic ownership and control; and have a physical place of business in the United States. Specifically, applicants must certify the following: I certify that the named applicant is not owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of a government of a Country of Risk and meets the eligibility requirements for this program. I further represent that the information contained in the submission is true and contains no misrepresentations. I understand that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent information, misrepresentations, half-truths, or omissions of any material fact, may subject me to criminal, civil or administrative penalties for fraud, false statements, false claims or otherwise. (18 U.S.C. §§ 1001 and 287, and 31 U.S.C. §§ 3729-3733 and 3801-3812). I further understand and agree that the statements and representations made herein are material to DOE’s funding decision.

2 DOE defines Country of Risk to include China, Russia, North Korea and Iran. This list is subject to change.

3 Foreign Government-Sponsored Talent Recruitment Program is defined as an effort directly or indirectly organized, managed, or funded by a foreign government, or a foreign government instrumentality or entity, to recruit science and technology professionals or students (regardless of citizenship or national origin, or whether having a full-time or part-time position). Some foreign government-sponsored talent recruitment programs operate with the intent to import or otherwise acquire from abroad, sometimes through illicit means, proprietary technology or software, unpublished data and methods, and intellectual property to further the military modernization goals and/or economic goals of a foreign government. Many, but not all, programs aim to incentivize the targeted individual to relocate physically to the foreign state for the above purpose. Some programs allow for or encourage continued employment at United States research facilities or receipt of federal research funds while concurrently working at and/or receiving compensation from a foreign institution, and some direct participants not to disclose their participation to U.S. entities. Compensation could take many forms including cash, research funding, complimentary foreign travel, honorific titles, career advancement opportunities, promised future compensation, or other types of remuneration or consideration, including in-kind compensation.

2. Review Criteria

Criterion Application Component
Demonstration of Regional Need: (30%)

The proposed training program prepares students for in-demand roles based on quantitative evidence for a workforce need in the region and directly impacts the oil, natural gas, coal, or geothermal energy industries.
  • Clearly define the problem and identify workforce development gaps for the applicant's specified technology area through an effective needs assessment.
  • Provide valid and compelling quantitative and qualitative data to describe, compare, predict, or explain current or future workforce development needs in the identified technology area.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of the regional oil, natural gas, coal, and/or geothermal energy industry and articulate how the training program will address its needs.
  • Explain the impact of career path shortages on regional energy and/or infrastructure sites (e.g., power plants, mines, pipelines, utilities) and how the proposed training program addresses these challenges.
Workforce Strategies and Metrics: (15%)

The project utilizes evidence-based workforce development strategies and demonstrates that the project can effectively implement stated workforce development strategies. Applicant states target rates for student enrollment and work placement.
  • Allocate appropriate resources to support strategy in the Budget spreadsheet, and/or clearly describe any non-DOE resources that will support program deployment.
  • Describe how the consortium will work as a team to connect students with energy jobs.
  • Develop achievable and impactful target rates for student enrollment, retention, graduation, and work placement.
Participant Support Services: (15%)

The project proposes to create specific and meaningful benefits and supportive services to program participants commensurate with the project scope.
  • Describe plan to provide supportive services to program participants including, but not limited to: transportation stipends, childcare, meals, or other needs, particularly those unique to the local community.
  • Demonstrate ability to administer supportive services. If a partner will administer supportive services, include at least one Letter(s) of Commitment from the partner(s).
Consortium Team Quality: (20%)

The project team is likely to deliver training that leads to industry-recognized credentials, job placement, and employee retention.
  • The extent to which the applicant has identified consortium members that best fit the project’s desired goals.
  • Applicant clearly describes experience working with industry partners to provide hands-on training that benefits workers.
  • Applicant includes 2+ Letters of Commitment from employer partners.
  • Applicant includes 1+ Letter(s) of Commitment from Workforce Development Entity partner(s).
Work Plan and Budget: (20%)

The applicant proposes effective use of existing resources and efficient use of budget to complete the project, and includes sustainability plans as applicable.
  • Applicant’s workplan includes specific, measurable, and time-bound goals and milestones that present a high likelihood that the consortium will meet the goals of the proposed project and the PACT Initiative.
  • Applicant suggests an overall budget and budget breakdown commensurate with the project’s workplan, leaving minimal ambiguity about how the project will pay for proposed activities.
  • Applicant includes achievable and impactful program enrollment goals as well as job placement goals.

3. Program Policy Factors

In addition to the above Review Criteria, project selection may also be conducted using the following factors to develop a broad portfolio of projects:

  1. variety of technology areas.
  2. representation of different types of institutions of higher education.
  3. geographic distribution.
  4. optimization of available federal funds.
  5. likelihood of placing trainees in jobs within the United States, including on the lands of federally recognized Tribes.
  6. presents reduced risks in the following areas: schedules, budget, technical, and/or environmental risks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a PIA and why is DOE/HGEO/IE 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, institutions of higher education, and non-traditional partners.

Who is eligible to apply?

Refer to the eligibility section in the opportunity page.

How does an applicant apply? What is required in the application?

Information about how to apply, application materials, and deadlines are available on the opportunity page.

Can several entities apply together as a collaborative if they choose to do so?

Yes. This PIA requires pre-formed partnerships or teams of eligible applicants. A single lead entity should submit the application, describing the roles of partner entities. The lead entity must be an institution of higher education (see eligibility section in the opportunity page). DOE will take into consideration the scope of work proposed by all proposed partners as part of the review process.

What is the maximum number of awards that could be made funded as part of the opportunity?

We currently expect approximately 10 projects to be selected for award by this opportunity with the final number of awards subject to funding availability and individual award amounts. The highest amount for an individual Topic A award is $300,000 and for an individual Topic B award is $2,000,000.

Is it a requirement for the primary applicant to be a 2-year institution of higher education?

All institutions of higher education (IHE) are eligible to be the primary applicant. However, the training program must be installed at a 2-year IHE, defined in this opportunity as trade schools, vocational schools, technical colleges, community colleges, and TCUs.

Through this solicitation, the DOE Office of Indian Energy has made available $2,300,000 for awards to 2-year TCUs which are the primary applicant.

What is the anticipated period of performance for the awarded project?

Awards will be structured with a base period (Phase 1) of 12-24 months. This may be followed by an optional period (Phase 2) which may last up to 24 months. Advancement from Phase 1 to Phase 2 is contingent on a Go/No‑Go decision. The final Period of Performance will be determined during contract negotiations.

Is an IHE with an existing energy-focused training center eligible to apply for Topic B (Establish)?

Yes, as long as a new training program leading to industry-recognized credentials is added to the 2-year IHE. These industry-recognized credentials cannot be already available at the host 2-year IHE.

Can one IHE submit more than one application?

An IHE can only submit ONE application as the Prime Applicant. However, this IHE may be involved in other applications with a separate IHE as the Prime Applicant.

Teaming List

To facilitate the formation of new project teams for this Opportunity, a Teaming Partner list is available below. Any organization that would like to be included on this list should include the below information in the form:

  • Organization Name
  • Organization Type
    • 2-year IHE
      [Defined above as: vocational schools, trade schools, technical colleges, community colleges, TCUs]
    • University
    • Industry employer
    • Workforce development entity
    • Other stakeholder
  • Description of Capabilities
  • Contact Name
  • Contact Email
  • Contact Phone Number

By facilitating this Teaming Partner list, DOE and TechWerx do not endorse or otherwise evaluate the qualifications of the entities that self-identify themselves for placement on the Teaming Partner List.

The password to access this Teaming Partner list is PACT2026

Join PACT Teaming List

Questions? Contact us at info@techwerx.org.

Apply here