Climate Resilience Centers

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science (DOE SC) is seeking applications for the Climate Resilience Centers (CRC) initiative under its Biological and Environmental Research (BER) program. This program aims to improve the availability and utility of DOE climate science, data, and models to address climate resiliency challenges, particularly in underrepresented or vulnerable communities. CRCs, first introduced in FY 2023, are designed to build capacity at non-R1 Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Emerging Research Institutions (ERIs) for conducting climate resilience research. They focus on the development of new science to analyze climate-induced impacts and promote recovery in natural, socioeconomic, and built systems. The program emphasizes fostering local talent and facilitating two-way engagement between DOE-funded research and affected communities to develop actionable climate resilience solutions. The CRC initiative supports research on fine-scale climate impacts, particularly in disadvantaged communities that are disproportionately affected by climate change. Each CRC is expected to leverage existing DOE resources, including collaborations with DOE national laboratories, to address regional resilience needs. Proposed projects should advance the BER mission by developing predictive Earth system models, conducting place-based climate analysis, and translating research into practical solutions. The program encourages engagement with local communities to ensure the science addresses relevant challenges and incorporates stakeholder input. CRCs will also support the development of next-generation climate scientists and promote education and public engagement to build local expertise and resilience capacity. The DOE anticipates funding 10 to 15 awards with a total of $10 million available. Individual awards will range from $100,000 to $1 million, with a maximum project period of three years. Eligible applicants include domestic institutions classified as non-R1 MSIs or ERIs with less than $50 million in annual federal research expenditures. Federally affiliated entities, such as DOE National Laboratories, may participate as subrecipients but cannot lead applications. Cost sharing is not required, and applications from underrepresented groups, institutions, and regions are particularly encouraged. Multi-institutional collaborations are permitted, with one lead institution submitting the application. Applicants must submit a pre-application to DOE through the PAMS portal, outlining the objectives and technical approach of the proposed project. Pre-applications are evaluated on scientific and technical merit, responsiveness to the program’s objectives, and likelihood of success. Only applicants who receive an “encourage” response from DOE will be invited to submit a full application via Grants.gov. Applications must include a research plan, budget justification, and letters of collaboration where applicable. A competitive review process will assess applications based on scientific merit, alignment with BER priorities, and engagement with underrepresented institutions. Successful applicants will participate in DOE-sponsored meetings to share progress and engage with the scientific community. Funded projects are expected to produce new data, models, and strategies that enhance climate resilience at the regional level, with potential national and global applications. Annual progress reports will be required to ensure alignment with project goals and DOE priorities. Applicants are encouraged to review program materials, including BER resources, to align proposals with DOE capabilities and objectives. Key dates, including deadlines for pre-applications, applications, and an informational webinar, are listed in the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). For additional guidance, applicants may contact program officers or consult online resources provided by DOE.