In fiscal year 2007, federal funding of more than $574 million was awarded to businesses, industries, universities and others through Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) financial assistance programs.
Because competitive grants are the most common type of financial assistance awarded by EERE, this section uses a solicited, competitive grant to explain the financial assistance process. However, competitive cooperative agreements are handled in the same manner.
Like most federal government funding, funding for EERE financial assistance awards is authorized by an appropriation approved by the U.S. Congress. Congress determines the overall budget for Department of Energy activities, and this amount determines how much money will eventually be available for EERE financial assistance awards.
To learn more about the EERE financial assistance process, read about each of its stages:
- Congressional appropriation
- Department of Energy and EERE allocation
- Financial award
- Award management.