FY 2026 Energizing Insular Communities Program
🏛 Department of the Interior
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations and entities seeking to develop clean energy projects and advance energy independence in U.S. insular communities, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and other Pacific and Caribbean territories. Eligible applicants typically include territorial and local governments, tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and private entities working in partnership with local stakeholders. The program supports planning, development, and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives that strengthen energy resilience and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Geographic scope is limited to federally-recognized insular communities and their jurisdictions. Funded activities may include feasibility studies, infrastructure development, workforce training, and technical assistance related to clean energy transition.
This grant is for organizations and entities seeking to develop clean energy projects and advance energy independence in U.S. insular communities, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and other Pacific and Caribbean territories. Eligible applicants typically include territorial and local governments, tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and private entities working in partnership with local stakeholders. The program supports planning, development, and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives that strengthen energy resilience and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Geographic scope is limited to federally-recognized insular communities and their jurisdictions. Funded activities may include feasibility studies, infrastructure development, workforce training, and technical assistance related to clean energy transition.
Program description
The Office of Insular Affairs (OIA) requests proposals for its Energizing Insular Communities (EIC) Program promoting domestically produced energy and protecting the United States” economic and national security interests and military preparedness by ensuring that an abundant supply of reliable energy is readily accessible in every state and territory of the Nation. The EIC program provides grant funding for energy strategies that reduce reliance on imported foreign fuels, reduce the cost of electricity, and improve the performance of energy infrastructure and overall energy efficiency and reliability in the territories.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Demographic focus
Details
This grant is for organizations and entities seeking to develop clean energy projects and advance energy independence in U.S. insular communities, including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and other Pacific and Caribbean territories. Eligible applicants typically include territorial and local governments, tribal organizations, nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, and private entities working in partnership with local stakeholders. The program supports planning, development, and deployment of renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives that strengthen energy resilience and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Geographic scope is limited to federally-recognized insular communities and their jurisdictions. Funded activities may include feasibility studies, infrastructure development, workforce training, and technical assistance related to clean energy transition.
How to apply
Application links
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project narrative describing energy project, goals, and community benefits
- Detailed budget and budget narrative with cost justification
- Letters of support from territorial/local government and community partners
- Engineering or feasibility study documentation
- Organizational capacity statement and resumes of key personnel
- Environmental review documentation (NEPA compliance)
- Proof of nonprofit status or governmental entity documentation
- Data on baseline energy consumption and projected impact metrics
Program contact
- 👤 Department of the Interior
- 📧 krystina_alfano@ios.doi.gov
- 📞 703-851-1570
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 15.875 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$250,000,000
-
$200,000,000
-
$200,000,000
-
$52,494,598
-
$51,378,996
-
$50,000,000
-
$39,504,160
-
$36,239,040
-
$33,557,258
-
$32,802,280
Top States by Funding
- VA 2 awards $450.0M
- MH 17 awards $363.4M
- FM 13 awards $199.0M
- AS 9 awards $87.9M
- HI 6 awards $86.8M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 15.875). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2019 | $327,624,000 | |
| 2020 | $391,252,000 | |
| 2021 | $342,701,000 | |
| 2022 | $339,397,000 | |
| 2023 | $188,221,125 | |
| 2024 | $831,188,588 | |
| 2025 est. | $18,000,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $60,000,000 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for the Energizing Insular Communities Program?
Eligible applicants typically include territorial governments, local governments, tribal organizations, nonprofits, educational institutions, and private entities with partnerships in insular communities. Applicants must demonstrate a clear commitment to clean energy development in eligible U.S. territories.
What is the deadline and application period?
The application period opens March 16, 2026, with a fixed deadline of June 8, 2026. This provides approximately 12 weeks for applicants to prepare and submit their applications.
What types of activities and projects are supported?
The program supports renewable energy development, energy efficiency improvements, feasibility studies, workforce development, grid modernization, and technical assistance projects that advance energy independence in insular communities.
How competitive is this program?
This is typically a moderately competitive DOI program. Success requires strong demonstration of project viability, community support, environmental benefits, and alignment with territorial energy goals.
What is the typical funding range?
Funding amounts vary based on project scope and program priorities, but typical awards for individual projects generally range from $500,000 to several million dollars for major infrastructure initiatives. Consult the full NOFO for specific allocation amounts.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start early: Begin planning your application immediately after the March 16 opening date to allow sufficient time for community engagement, data gathering, and partnership coordination with territorial officials.
- Demonstrate community support: Include letters of support from territorial/local government agencies, community organizations, and stakeholders affected by or supporting your project to show strong local buy-in.
- Align with territorial energy goals: Explicitly connect your project to the energy priorities outlined in your territory's energy action plans or strategic documents to show alignment with broader policy objectives.
- Show technical feasibility: Provide detailed engineering assessments, cost estimates, timeline projections, and evidence of technical capacity to execute the project successfully.
- Include workforce and economic benefits: Highlight job creation, skills training opportunities, and local economic development outcomes to demonstrate broader community impact beyond energy production.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications frequently fail when applicants lack demonstrated community support or fail to show alignment with territorial energy strategies. Another common issue is insufficient technical detail—vague project descriptions without feasibility studies or engineering assessments signal lack of preparedness. Many rejected applications also underestimate the importance of demonstrating local capacity to manage and maintain projects long-term.
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