Final Winners of Historically Black Colleges and Universities Energy Education Prize's Inspire Track Announced

HBCUs Awarded for Efforts To Foster Next Generation of Energy Leaders

Aug. 8, 2024 | By Daniella Frank

Three images of a kid playing with a stem toy, a graduate hugging someone, and a worker looking at a tablet with solar panels in the background

Today, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced the final winners of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Energy Education Prize in the Inspire Track.

DOE launched the HBCU Energy Education Prize through the American-Made program to address the growing need for a robust energy workforce. Through two tracks, the prize awards nearly $8 million to HBCUs to help prepare the next generation of energy leaders.

The Inspire Track challenged HBCUs to develop energy-focused academic-break programs for K–12 and community college students. The goal of these programs is to provide early exposure to energy topics and science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) skills and to build connections between HBCUs and public education institutions in their communities. Ten HBCUs were selected for their notable programming and student impact.

"We congratulate the final winners of the Inspire Track for their commitment to expanding access to STEM education for young students," said Terrence Mosley, senior advisor for STEM and University Partnerships at DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. "Thanks to the hard work of the HBCUs, students are leaving these camps with knowledge and skills they may not have had access to otherwise."

Person holding up technology design — Albany State University. *Photo by NREL*

A Summer of STEM

The 10 winners were each awarded $10,000, in addition to the $40,000 awarded in Phase 1 of the prize and have used the prize awards to host their programs throughout the summer. These programs implemented curricula and activities on a wide range of energy topics, including various technologies and environmental concepts. Winners include:

Albany State University
Clark Atlanta University
Florida A&M University
Morris Brown College
Paul Quinn College
Southern University and A&M College
Tennessee State University
Tuskegee University
University of Maryland
Xavier University of Louisiana.

Group of people in aprons and labcoats — Clark Atlanta University. *Photo by NREL*

Overall, the common goal of the camps was to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully pursue a career in the energy sector.

Group of students work over technology at a table — University of Maryland Eastern Shore. *Photo by NREL*

Continuing Energy Education

As the Inspire Track draws to a close, competitors await the results of the Partnerships Track Phase 2, which concluded earlier this summer. The Partnerships Track challenges HBCUs to create partnerships with government agencies, industry leaders, and other universities aimed at long-term educational program growth and support for undergraduate and graduate students.

Group of people standing and sitting in front of solar panels — Tennessee State University. *Photo by NREL*

10 HBCUs were selected as winners for Phase 1 this past winter and were awarded $100,000 each. The winners of Phase 2 will split a total prize pool of up to $4,000,000 and will move on to compete in the final phase, where up to three final winners will split a total prize pool of up to $1,750,000.

"The HBCU Energy Education Prize tracks are working hand in hand to inspire and encourage students of all ages to pursue energy careers,” Mosley said. “We hope that the HBCUs continue the programming made possible through this prize to support even more students through their educational journey in the years to come.”

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This article has been updated to reflect editorial changes made after its original publication.