Minority-Serving Institutions Alternative Energy Conference

The US Department of Energy (DOE) is sponsoring a Minority-Serving Institutions Alternative Energy Conference on April 27, 2011, in Washington, DC. The purpose of this conference is to establish a Minority-Serving Institutions Consortium on Alternative Energy.

A multi-disciplined group of professionals, academics and community interests will constitute panels for the conference. Potential panel themes include: Research Interests & Collaborations, Faculty Development Opportunities, Student Interests & Opportunities, Green Jobs & Contract Opportunities, and Policy & Planning. The conference will also include a Federal feedback session on response and next steps.

Purpose of Conference: To develop the Minority Alternative Energy Consortium.

Potential Consortium Activities: 

• Establish or strengthen relationship between HBCUs/MSIs and DOE, and other Federal agencies with energy responsibilities
• Produce regular and consistent dialogue between MSIs and Federal energy policy and decision-makers
• Develop and maintain a database of MSI alternative energy research capacity, interest and projects
• Develop and manage a graduate fellowship program that supports minority students pursuing a degree and career in energy policy
• Integrate DOE and other Federal agencies core competencies into the undergraduate curriculum of MSIs
• Conduct an educational initiative to attract K-12 minorities into STEM disciplines

Projected Audience: The conference will bring together Federal agencies, MSIs, other research institutions, students, business and industry, community groups, faith-based organizations, non-profit organizations, philanthropic organizations, limited resource farmers, and others entities interested in alternative energy research, production and distribution.

For additional information, contact John Rosenthall, 202-508-3894.