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U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Solar Energy Technologies Office

Upskill Prize for the Solar Manufacturing Workforce

Pays U.S. solar manufacturers and training organizations up to $500,000 each to train new or incumbent workers for the solar manufacturing workforce.

Winning teams receive up to $500,000 each from a $7.75 million total pool for their training plan. Round 1 ran March-July 2024; Round 2 launched July 2024, and DOE expects to run further rounds until the funding is used up.

The prize wants teams proposing comprehensive workforce training plans for the U.S. solar photovoltaic (PV) module supply chain, covering either new-worker training at expanding manufacturing facilities or incumbent-worker upskilling. Every team must be led by a U.S.-based PV manufacturer or a U.S.-based training organization, and partnerships between the two are required.

CycleiHow often this grant runs - e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.No fixed schedule
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.-
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.-
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.-
Award typeiThe form of funding - grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Prize
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.-
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.$7.8M

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