Deadline: 24-Jun-22
The Bureau of Energy Resources (ENR) is pleased to announce an opportunity for organizations to submit applications to carry out the Central Asia Energy Fellows Program by providing a convening forum to support partner countries in Central Asia to strengthen regional energy security for economic growth, through a range of capacity-building, advisory, and technical exchange activities related to power sector development and governance with a focus on energy efficiency, clean and renewable energy development, and clean energy transitions in the region.
The Central Asia Energy Fellows program will provide mid-career professionals in Central Asia with a non-resident, one-year fellowship and stipend (amount to be determined) to contribute towards research on clean and renewable energy and energy efficiency in the region and support the fellows’ professional development. The program will select five (5) fellows, at least one from each Central Asian country to parallel the C5+1 framework (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan), who are policy practitioners or energy experts working professionally in the clean or renewable energy fields.
Goals
Effective management of the Central Asia Energy Fellows Program is fundamental to its overall success. DOS is fully invested in this program and seeks to maintain its integrity and high quality. The overall goal of this cooperative agreement (CA), funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Energy Resources, is to provide a convening forum to support U.S. allies and partner countries in the Central Asia region to strengthen regional energy security for economic growth, through a range of capacitybuilding, advisory, and technical exchange activities related to renewable energy development, power sector governance, enhanced grid reliability, incentivizing investment, optimizing power markets, improving energy efficiency, and deploying advanced, modern power market technologies.
Objectives
The Central Asia Energy Fellows program would help promote renewable energy, decarbonization, and conservation expertise in the region. The program aligns with the Biden Administration’s focus and prioritization of decarbonization and clean energy transition, and supports C5+1 (The five countries in Central Asia plus the United States) regional connectivity, energy, and environment priorities. The Objectives of the fellowship are to:
- Strengthen people-to-people ties between and among future energy leaders in Central Asia and experts in the United States;
- Cultivate expertise and experience for the next generation of renewable energy and energy efficiency specialists in Central Asia by increasing fellows’ knowledge of and exposure to the relevant technical, economic, legal, and/or regulatory concepts that benefit domestic and regional energy security policy goals;
- Demonstrate USG commitment to fostering energy efficiency, clean and renewable energy development, and clean energy transitions in the region;
- Expand and strengthen USG Central Asia energy contacts; and
- Contribute to the U.S. knowledge base on clean and renewable energy and efficiency in Central Asia through fellows’ individual final research reports.
Award Information
- Award Ceiling: $296,296
- Award Floor: $296,296
Eligible Activities
- The Implementer will be expected to convene experts and hold events, such as technical workshops, trainings, and policy roundtables, to share experiences, advice, and best practices in power sector development and governance. These events should be thematic and encourage the embedding of international best practices in laws, regulations, and administrative procedures related to power sector management.
- Activities should also address technical, environmental, and fiscal issues related to energy resources management and development through workshops and technical discussions. The events should convene academics, practitioners, and industry experts with government officials and other relevant stakeholders in the region- to be determined by ENR – to establish and strengthen working relationships at the technical and policy levels, both with the United States and between participant countries.
Participants and Audiences:
Fellows are ENR counterparts from government, academia, utility, grid operator, regulator, and associations with roles in energy sector management in the five countries in Central Asia. Participation will be subject to ENR concurrence and approval.
Eligibility Criteria
- U.S. non-profit/nongovernmental organizations subject to Section 501(c) (3) of the U.S. tax code, U.S. not-for profit/nongovernmental organizations, associations, and U.S.
- Preference will be given to organizations with at least three years of experience in administering fellowship programs
- Higher educational institutions.
- Eligible applicants must provide proof of their 501(c) (3)
- Eligibility status, as determined by the Internal Revenue Service.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=340213