Campus Green Builder

Energy Secretary Steven Chu recently announced a funding opportunity of more than $30 million to help colleges and universities prepare their undergraduate- and graduate-level engineering students in becoming the nation’s next generation of industrial energy efficiency experts.

"Through this industrial efficiency training program, students will gain hands-on experience and training for jobs in a growing global sector, while at the same time, reducing energy waste for American businesses and helping to make our manufacturing facilities more competitive," said Secretary Chu.  "This program will make sure that the next-generation of American workers has the education and skills they need to further our transition to a clean energy economy."

This competitive funding opportunity will designate 20 to 30 institutions across the country as Industrial Assessment Centers (IACs), where at least 10 to 15 students will receive training and perform extensive energy assessment and management activities.  Students will also be placed in small and medium-sized industrial and manufacturing facilities around their communities to gain hands-on experience.  Each IAC will be eligible to receive $200,000 to $300,000 per year up to five years for their training and energy audit programs.

All colleges and universities across the country are invited to apply for this opportunity by August 2, 2011.  Institutions are encouraged to propose innovative methods and approach that will “better ground students in core engineering, energy, and business principles and increase their understanding of management systems, industrial technologies, supply chains, energy efficiency, and sustainability.”

For more information on this financial opportunity and application requirements, click here.