Opportunity Information: Apply for EIC 2020

The Energizing Insular Communities (EIC) Program is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of the Interior, through the Office of Insular Affairs, to help U.S. territories lower electricity costs for residents and businesses. The core focus is practical, territory-specific energy projects and strategies that improve affordability and support broader energy and economic security goals. In other words, the program is aimed at reducing the high cost of power that many island communities face and strengthening local energy systems in ways that can make the local economy more stable and resilient.

A key requirement is that every proposal must be clearly tied to the territory's current planning framework. Applicants have to show that the project directly supports and aligns with an updated strategic energy plan, energy action plan, or integrated resource plan for their territory. This makes the program less about one-off ideas and more about funding work that fits into an established roadmap, such as upgrades or initiatives already identified as priorities, steps that fill gaps in an adopted plan, or actions that move the territory toward specific energy targets.

The program also offers a pathway to technical assistance through an interagency agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy. This is meant to help territories design, evaluate, or implement energy solutions more effectively, and applicants are expected to state in their application whether they are interested in receiving that support. For many projects, this kind of assistance can be important for items like technical feasibility, system planning, modeling, or implementation support, especially in places where specialized energy expertise may be limited.

Eligibility is limited to organizations located in the U.S. territories of Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Eligible applicants include local government entities, independent public authorities, and educational institutions within those territories. The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.875 and uses a grant as the funding instrument. The posted opportunity number is EIC 2020, it was created on March 19, 2020, and the original closing date was June 15, 2020. The source information does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, which suggests applicants would need to refer to the full announcement or related program guidance for details on typical award sizes, selection criteria, and budget expectations.

  • The Department of the Interior in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Energizing Insular Communities Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.875.
  • This funding opportunity was created on 2020-03-19.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-06-15. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
  • Eligible applicants include: Others.
Apply for EIC 2020

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Energizing Insular Communities (EIC) Program

What is the Energizing Insular Communities (EIC) Program?

The Energizing Insular Communities (EIC) Program is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) through the Office of Insular Affairs. It is designed to help U.S. territories lower electricity costs for residents and businesses by supporting practical, territory-specific energy projects and strategies.

What is the main purpose of the EIC Program?

The core purpose is to reduce the high cost of power that many island communities face and to strengthen local energy systems. The program emphasizes improved affordability and supports broader energy and economic security goals, helping make local economies more stable and resilient.

What types of projects does the EIC Program focus on?

Based on the provided description, the program focuses on practical, territory-specific energy projects and strategies that improve electricity affordability and support energy and economic security. Projects are expected to be aligned with an established territorial energy roadmap rather than being one-off ideas.

Does an EIC proposal need to align with a territory energy plan?

Yes. A key requirement is that every proposal must be clearly tied to the territory's current planning framework. Applicants must show the project directly supports and aligns with an updated strategic energy plan, energy action plan, or integrated resource plan for their territory.

What does it mean for a project to be tied to a "current planning framework"?

It means the proposed work should fit into the territory's existing, updated energy roadmap (such as a strategic energy plan, energy action plan, or integrated resource plan). Examples described include upgrades or initiatives already identified as priorities, steps that fill gaps in an adopted plan, or actions that move the territory toward specific energy targets.

What planning documents are acceptable for demonstrating alignment?

The opportunity description states that applicants must align their proposal with an updated strategic energy plan, an energy action plan, or an integrated resource plan for their territory.

Is technical assistance available through the EIC Program?

Yes. The program offers a pathway to technical assistance through an interagency agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). This support is intended to help territories design, evaluate, or implement energy solutions more effectively.

Do applicants have to request technical assistance in the application?

Applicants are expected to state in their application whether they are interested in receiving technical assistance through the DOE pathway.

What kinds of needs can the DOE technical assistance help with?

The description notes that technical assistance can be important for technical feasibility, system planning, modeling, or implementation support, especially where specialized energy expertise may be limited.

Which locations are eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to organizations located in the U.S. territories of Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

What types of organizations are eligible applicants?

Eligible applicants include local government entities, independent public authorities, and educational institutions located within the eligible U.S. territories listed in the opportunity description.

Is this a grant or another type of federal funding?

The funding instrument for this opportunity is a grant.

Is this opportunity discretionary or formula-based?

The EIC Program is described as a discretionary grant opportunity.

Which federal agency administers the EIC Program?

The program is run by the U.S. Department of the Interior through the Office of Insular Affairs.

What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

The opportunity is listed under CFDA 15.875.

What is the posted opportunity number?

The posted opportunity number is EIC 2020.

When was this opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on March 19, 2020.

What was the original closing date for applications?

The original closing date was June 15, 2020.

What is the award ceiling (maximum award amount)?

The provided source information does not specify an award ceiling. Applicants would likely need to refer to the full announcement or related program guidance for details.

How many awards will be made?

The provided source information does not specify the expected number of awards. Applicants would need to consult the full announcement or program guidance for any details on anticipated award counts.

Where can applicants find details on typical award sizes, selection criteria, and budget expectations?

The description indicates those details are not included in the source information provided. Applicants would need to refer to the full announcement or related program guidance for typical award sizes, selection criteria, and budget expectations.

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