Making America Great Again By Investing in Minority Serving Institutions Trina Bilal Program Manager Office of Minority Education and Community Development Florida International University September 26, 2017

Office of Economic Impact and Diversity (ED) Our Mission To advise the Secretary on the effect of energy policies, regulations, and other actions of the Department and its components on minority business enterprises, minority serving institutions, and minority communities, ensuring that these groups are afforded an opportunity to participate fully in Departmental activities and programs. To accomplish the mission of the Department of Energy, we need the best and brightest individuals to work at and partner with the Department. Tapping into the talents of students and faculty attending our nation's Minority Serving Institutions is one way to increase the diversity of the Department’s future workforce and the energy industry.

Departmental Support to MSIs Building effective partnerships between MSIs and the Department of Energy (DOE) is critical to our mission. Advancing collaborative research projects, providing systematic outreach and recruitment programs. Supporting MSI activities that focus on the following areas: Research and Development Infrastructure Support Capacity Building Internships and Fellowships

Minority Serving Institutions The Department of Energy and its National Laboratories provide funding opportunities and technical assistance to Minority Serving Institutions. For more: http://energy.gov/diversity/working-us/minority-serving-institutions

Investment in MSIs The Department has provided over $92 million to Minority Serving Institutions over the past five years. Investment Description $32.8 Million Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions $13.4 Million Hispanic-Serving Institutions $17.8 Million Historically Black Colleges and Universities $27.5 Million American Indian and Alaska Native-Serving Institutions $833,546 Tribal Colleges and Universities $66,955 Predominantly Black Institutions

Advancing Research and Technology in the Sciences (ARTS) Forum Mission of ARTS Created in Fiscal Year 2015 to assist the Department in fostering collaborative relationships in support of MSIs, faculty and students in STEM, and other energy related disciplines. The goals of ARTS are to: Broaden the Department’s knowledge of MSI capabilities Increase MSI knowledge about DOE grant, contract and funding opportunities Explore opportunities for students at the Department and National Laboratories.

Minority Educational Institution Student Partnership Program (MEISPP) Offers talented students (HS- graduate school) summer internship positions with the U.S. Department of Energy and its national laboratories and facilities. An intensive eight to ten-week assignment to enabling students to work side-by-side leading scientists, engineers, and other top professionals to develop professional skills and enhance leadership capabilities During FY 2012-2017, 380+ students participated in the MEISPP throughout the DOE complex and its National

Examples of DOE Partnerships with MSIs Minority Serving Institution Project Description Fort Valley State University Fort Valley State University’s Cooperative Developmental Education Program (CDEP) New Mexico State University Coupling Direct and Indirect Characterization Methods for Mercury Transport and Florida A&M Comparative analysis of bioconversion and/or bioprecipation strategies for in-situ bioremediation of Uranium Howard University Chemical and Biological Approaches for Organic and Inorganic Waste Remediation in 200 West Area at Hanford Site North Carolina A&T Adaptive Manipulators with Human in the Loop for Decontamination and Decommissioning under Extreme and Supervisory Control Environment Jackson State University Combined Analytical Methods for Mercury Speciation in Soils and Sediments to Support Fate and Transport Models at Oak Ridge, TN Fort Valley State University: STEM Careers in Energy: DOE will provide funding to Fort Valley State University’s Cooperative Developmental Education Program (CDEP) to support 6 talented underrepresented minority undergraduate students in a dual degree STEM program. The total estimated project cost of the financial assistance over the entire 60-month period of performance is $499,790.

Barriers Facing MSIs Lack of familiarity with DOE business processes and technical requirements Lack of knowledge by DOE program offices about MSI capabilities Perceptions that MSIs do not have the technical capabilities and/or infrastructure to do competitive research Conflict between teaching and research at MSIs These are common barriers, but not limited to, that MSIs faced when trying to receive support from DOE. DOE is committed to strengthen and build relationships with these institutions by serving as an advocate for the Department.

Actions to Address MSI Barriers Coordinate meetings between MSI representatives and DOE senior program officials to discuss funding opportunities Convene regular Technical Assistance Workshops to empower MSIs to become more competitive in research and development activities Build consortiums amongst MSIs to build a comprehensive and scalable research portfolio Communicate, communicate, communicate . . . . These are common barriers, but not limited to, that MSIs faced when trying to receive support from DOE. DOE is committed to strengthen and build relationships with these institutions by serving as an advocate for the Department.

Office of Economic Impact and Diversity Questions or Comments? Office of Economic Impact and Diversity diversity@hq.doe.gov 202-586-8383 www.energy.gov/diversity