The U.S. Department of Energy opened a university-based Industrial Training and Assessment Center opportunity on October 2, 2026. Applications are due October 30 at 3 p.m. Eastern, according to the live EnergyWerx application page. DOE plans to select universities for two five-year tracks: traditional manufacturing assessments and a new mining and mineral-processing track. The current 36 centers are completing their latest five-year projects at the end of 2026. The opportunity is for U.S. colleges and universities with at least one four-year undergraduate program accredited by ABET's Engineering Accreditation Commission or Technology Accreditation Commission. Applications must come from the engineering department holding that accreditation. Eligible departments can apply to either or both tracks. The program pairs faculty and students in hands-on facility assessments. The manufacturing track addresses energy and water use, productivity, waste, cybersecurity and other operating improvements. The mining track adds mineral recovery, processing, maintenance, reliability and resource-management needs. DOE says more than 2,400 students receive on-the-job experience through the existing program each year. That describes the program's current scale, not a guaranteed number of new training places under this competition. This is a university operating opportunity, not an application for an individual student's tuition grant or a contractor's direct cash award. The announcement does not establish a new public enrollment deadline for workers. Prospective students should ask participating institutions about their own training routes. EnergyWerx lists an informational webinar for October 13, from 2 to 3 p.m. Eastern. Applicants should use the full application materials to check requirements rather than rely on this brief as an eligibility decision.