TCU Energy and Food Sovereignty Nexus Prize

Using Clean Energy to Increase Food Sovereignty on Tribal Lands

The TCU Energy and Food Sovereignty Nexus Prize encourages Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) to develop student-led demonstration projects that educate students on clean energy and food sovereignty on TCU campuses. Projects may include but are not limited to:

• Greenhouses heated or cooled by geothermal (ground-source) energy
• Greenhouses powered by wind or solar
• Solar arrays that provide shade for crops to grow or livestock to graze

TCUs are encouraged to incorporate local traditional plants and/or livestock into their designs, as well as relevant clean energy systems to ensure food is sustainably grown for their environments. Students’ valuable exposure and hands-on experience in energy and food sovereignty can then be shared to benefit Tribes.

A Program Structured for Engagement

This prize is intended to build the capacity of TCU students to use clean energy to grow food self-sufficiently with sources on Tribal lands. One student team from each of the 35 TCUs is eligible to apply and will be recognized for their work.

The first phase of the TCU Energy and Food Sovereignty Nexus Prize will have up to 30 winners from the 35 eligible TCUs. Each winning Phase 1 team will receive a $40,000 cash award, part of which should be used to cover travel expenses to the 2025 Indian Energy Program Review in Denver. At the event, teams will share their learnings in a poster session, learn from other Tribes who are pursuing energy self-sufficiency, and share in each other's successes.

More Than $4 Million in Incentives

The TCU Energy and Food Sovereignty Nexus Prize consists of three phases in which student teams will assemble, plan, construct, and showcase their projects to earn funding that will go directly to their TCU. In addition to the cash prizes outlined below, teams will have access to Power Connectors—organizations that can provide complimentary support and guidance throughout the prize—as teams plan and execute their projects.

The Three Phases

Phase 1: Teaming

• Up to 30 winners | $40,000 cash prize to each winning TCU
  It is expected that each team will have at least three student team members and one faculty member attend in person at the Office of Indian Energy Peer Review event in Denver, Colorado in November 2025. Competitors are responsible for all costs associated with travel.

  Build a team and summarize your project.

Phase 2A: Planning and Permitting

• Up to 20 winners | $75,000 cash prize to each winning TCU

  Create a detailed project plan.

Phase 2B: Construction

• Up to 20 winners | $60,000 cash prize to each winning TCU

  Construct your project.

Phase 3: Presentations and Awards

• First place: $75,000

• Second place: $50,000

• Third place: $35,000

• Up to 4 Honorable Mention prizes: $10,000 to each winning TCU

  Attend and speak at the 2025 Indian Energy Program Review.

Who Can Participate?

This is an exclusive prize open to the 35 U.S.-based TCUs. Funding will go to the college or university itself. Projects are student-led and can be supported by faculty advisors. One team per TCU is eligible to apply, and proposed projects must be located on TCU campuses. More information can be found in the Official Rules