1. 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

2. 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.

3. 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

4. Minority Serving Institutions
The Department of Energy and its National Laboratories provide funding opportunities and technical assistance to Minority Serving Institutions.
For more:

5. 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

6. 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.

7. 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 , 380+ students participated in the MEISPP throughout the DOE complex and its National

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Office of Economic Impact and Diversity
Questions or Comments?
Office of Economic Impact and Diversity