DOE offers $8M to advance natural gas research for emissions reduction, new university curricula
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) put up a total of $8 million this week through two funding opportunities meant to benefit natural gas research and, in turn, both methane mitigation and new college courses.
The bulk of the funding, $6 million, will go to the educational effort. Specifically, this will support the Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Other Minority Institutions (HBCU-OMI) program. The remaining $2 million will support the University Coal Research (UCR) program. Both support research and development efforts and work to educate new engineers and scientists that could help the Biden administration’s goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions nationwide by 2050.
“These funding opportunities invest in our nation’s greatest resource—people,” Brad Crabtree, Assistant Secretary for FECM, said. “Through these education and training programs, we are not only developing new technologies that will help reduce methane and carbon dioxide pollutants contributing to climate change, but we are also offering greater opportunities to members of traditionally underrepresented communities in science and engineering fields. Integrating STEM disciplines with social sciences and humanities will provide students with an even stronger skill set for solving today’s complex climate problems while fostering vibrant communities and a robust economy for our nation’s future.”
By supporting new humanities-driven science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (HDSTEM) curricula, the DOE hopes to expand the inclusion of social sciences and humanities studies into STEM studies and the larger R&D process. The goal is an inclusive, diverse workforce working to reduce emissions and fight climate change with every available tool.
Applications for funding are due by Aug. 25, 2022.
