Host Institutions

• Electric cooperatives
• Grid operators (e.g., independent system operators and regional transmission organizations)
• Municipal utilities
• Public utility commission
• State energy offices
• Tribal entities defined below:
  • Indian Tribes (as defined in 25 U.S.C. § 5304), including any Alaska Native village, any Alaska Native village or regional corporations, and any organizations operating within or chartered through Indian Tribes, such as energy related offices and Tribal utilities.
  • Non-profit Regional Intertribal Organizations comprised of two or more federally recognized Indian Tribes, established under congressional, state, or Tribal law to act on behalf of the participating Indian Tribes. This includes, but is not limited to, intertribal councils, regional Tribal organizations or associations, Alaska regional development organizations, and Tribal federations.
  • Tribal energy development organizations (TEDO, as defined in 25 U.S.C. 3501).

Non-profits, universities, or privately owned businesses are ineligible to apply as Host Institutions of this class.

Projects should be focused on one or more of the following topics (subject to change):

• Critical Minerals, Materials, and Manufacturing
  The development of mines and mining activities, as well as efforts to diversify supply chains for critical minerals and metals can strengthen the American economy and enhance national security. Efforts in this topic area could include, but are not limited to, battery and magnet research, innovation in processing and metallurgy, or streamlining regulatory pathways.

• Energy Affordability
  It is a national priority to ensure that Americans’ energy expenditures remain affordable. This topic area could include projects that explore data-driven solutions or other avenues that reduce energy costs for consumers.

• Load Growth & Flexibility System Planning
  Proactively addressing the multi-sectoral drivers of load growth requires forward-looking strategies for demand management. Harnessing artificial intelligence and other computing technologies can enhance grid planning and operational capabilities. Work under this topic area could involve implementing sophisticated modeling or advanced regulatory frameworks to optimize system flexibility, to overcome critical barriers in interconnection, or to manage future load growth with greater precision.

• Local Energy Systems & Integration
  Strategic integration of local energy resources enhances grid stability and unlocks new value for the energy system. Projects in this topic area might, for instance, de-risk the adoption of advanced technologies, such as microgrids and advanced distribution management systems, to foster a more resilient, affordable, and secure energy future.

• Strengthening the Grid
  Strengthening energy infrastructure is essential to prepare for, withstand, and rapidly recover from a wide range of grid disruptions. Projects in this topic area could include developing actionable risk assessments or implementing advanced solutions to safeguard critical assets and ensure service during and after disruptive events.

• Transmission & Distribution
  Advanced transmission and distribution technologies can be cost-effective solutions to increase grid capacity, improve reliability, and accelerate the integration of large loads. Projects in this topic area could include exploring and implementing innovative approaches to regulation or financial models to facilitate deployment and scaling of these advanced grid technologies.

• Tribal Energy
  Advancing Tribal energy activities to promote economic development will support Tribal energy sovereignty through lower costs and increased reliability and access. Work in this topic area will support Tribal energy planning, development, and deployment to strengthen Tribal energy infrastructure and/or capacity.

Project topics related to decarbonization, fuel switching, or otherwise, are not of interest.

When developing a project and EIF application, Host Institutions should be aware that Fellows may not participate in or support pre-award funding activities (e.g., technical assistance, researching, grant writing, applying, and other activities related to funding opportunities). This restriction applies to any source of funding.

Merit Review Criteria

• Degree to which the proposed project supports with the mission of EIF, along with its relevance to one or more Topics of Interest established by the DOE sponsoring offices.
• Degree to which there is strong potential for impact from a completed project.
• Degree to which the Host Institution staff demonstrates willingness to make the time commitment to be a meaningful Mentor.

The next Host Institution application is expected to launch in 2026. Check back here for updates.

• What is a Host Institution? Who is eligible to be a Host Institution? What is a Host Institution Mentor?

  • Eligible Host Institutions include electric public utility commissions in the United States and U.S. territories, electric cooperatives, municipal utilities, grid operators, state energy offices, Indian Tribes (as defined in 25 U.S.C. § 5304) and any Non-profit Regional Intertribal Organization (defined as any organization comprised of two or more Indian Tribes, established under congressional, state, or Tribal law to act on behalf of the participating Indian Tribes, including but not limited to, intertribal councils, regional tribal organizations or associations, Alaska regional development organizations, and tribal federations). Energy related offices and utilities chartered through an Indian Tribe will be considered eligible.
  • This fellowship program is seeking Host Institutions with projects that require innovative approaches to advance the energy transition, to host participants in the Energy Innovator Fellowship program, for up to two years.
  • The staff member of the Host Institution that would guide the Fellow's progress on the proposed project is considered the Mentor and is expected to play a mentoring role. The Mentor is also the point of contact for the Host Institution throughout the selection process, including interviews.
  • If your institution type is not listed in the “Who Should Apply” section, it is not eligible to apply. If you would like to be considered in the future, please contact DOE-RPP@orise.orau.gov.

• What makes a strong Host Institution application?

  EIF evaluates all Host Institution applications as follows:

  1. Alignment with EIF Mission & Educational Growth (25%)
     • Degree to which the proposed project and the host institution's goals align with the EIF's mission of advancing solutions for modernizing the power system, improving energy infrastructure, and enhancing reliability, affordability, and resilience. It also considers the educational growth potential for the Fellow within the project framework.
  2. Project Quality, Impact, and Feasibility (40%)
     • Degree to which the proposed project has a well-defined scope, contributions and expected outcomes from the Fellow, and the robustness of the plan to evaluate the project’s success.
  3. Commitment to Mentorship & Fellow Development (25%)
     • Degree to which the Mentor demonstrates commitment to the Fellow’s professional growth, time commitment for guidance, and the dedication to the Fellow's professional growth, and the overall quality of the mentorship experience offered by both the Mentor and the Host Institution.
  4. Institutional Capacity and Suitability (10%)
     • Degree to which the Host Institution's ability to provide a supportive and resourced environment for the Fellow and the project, and underpins the success of the first three criteria.

  Applications will be scored for each of four criteria outlined above on a scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 6 (strongly agree).

• How many Innovator Fellows can be placed at my Host Institution?

  • Perspective Host Institutions may be eligible to host more than one Fellow.
  • Perspective Host Institutions are permitted to submit more than one application only if:
    1. Each application identifies a unique Mentor (i.e., one Fellow per Mentor).
    2. Each application has a unique and distinct project intended for only one Fellow. Applications containing more than one project will not be considered.
  • If the same Mentor is listed on separate applications, only the first application submitted will be considered.
  • Single applications containing more than one project will not be considered.
  • Placement of one Fellow per Host Institution will be prioritized before placing multiple Fellows at the same Host Institution.
  • Current Host Institutions are eligible to apply to a new application cycle.
  • Current Mentors are permitted to mentor a new Fellow along with their current Fellow if the projects are distinct and unique.

• How are the stipend payments provided to the Fellow?

  The Fellow’s stipend is paid monthly by ORISE. No EIF funds are directed through Host Institutions.

• Will I have any say in what Innovator Fellow is placed at my Host Institution?

  Yes. The Host Institution provides ORISE with a preferred list of Fellow candidates after conducting application review and interviews. The matching is based on mutual agreement between the Host Institution and Fellow candidate. DOE approves the final matching and are communicated to the Host Institution and Fellow through ORISE. More details are provided once Host Institution selections are final.

• Can Host Institutions and Fellow candidates have a pre-existing relationship?

  No. A pre-existing relationship refers to a Fellow candidate having a family member, significant other, friend, or similar person in a position at the Host Institution which could give rise to a conflict of interest and/or create the appearance of impropriety. If you have a question about whether a pre-existing relationship exists under particular circumstances, contact DOE-RPP@orise.orau.gov.

• What resources are Host Institutions expected to provide for Innovator Fellows?

  Host Institutions are expected to provide the Fellow with standard resources, such as a Host Institution email address, computer and associated equipment, a workstation if onsite, and the tools necessary for completing a successful project (e.g., software and other resources).

  DOE, ORISE, or any affiliated organization does not conduct background, security, or drug screening.

  The Host Institution application provides additional information in the Requirements and Expectations section.