Grants for For profit organizations other than small businesses - Energy

The Illinois Energy Transition Navigators Program, funded by the state's Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, aims to establish a network of community-based providers throughout Illinois to facilitate community education, outreach, and recruitment. These providers will connect individuals to clean energy workforce and contractor development programs, with a focus on equity investment eligible communities and individuals. The program has a budget of $6 million and expects to award 13 grants ranging from $250,000 to $600,000. It targets specific hub regions and operates on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis.

The Advanced Industries Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant aims to support Colorado-based advanced industries technology businesses in developing and commercializing new technologies that will be created or manufactured in the state. The grant addresses the market's underinvestment in early-stage technologies by offering financial support of up to $250,000, with the possibility of exceeding this amount for projects impacting multiple advanced industries. Eligible businesses must be involved in creating disruptive technology, be registered and in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State, have a significant presence in Colorado, provide a 2-to-1 non-State funding match, and have limited prior financial support and revenues. Preference is given to applicants with ties to Colorado research institutions, entrepreneurship programs, and those recognized by investment groups for their commercial potential. Applications are accepted biannually Grant renewed every year. Grant Summer Annual deadline: July to September

The Advanced Industries Early-Stage Capital and Retention Grant aims to support Colorado-based advanced industries technology businesses in developing and commercializing new technologies that will be created or manufactured in the state. The grant addresses the market's underinvestment in early-stage technologies by offering financial support of up to $250,000, with the possibility of exceeding this amount for projects impacting multiple advanced industries. Eligible businesses must be involved in creating disruptive technology, be registered and in good standing with the Colorado Secretary of State, have a significant presence in Colorado, provide a 2-to-1 non-State funding match, and have limited prior financial support and revenues. Preference is given to applicants with ties to Colorado research institutions, entrepreneurship programs, and those recognized by investment groups for their commercial potential. Applications are accepted biannually. Grant renewed every year. Grant Winter Annual deadline: January to March

The purpose of this solicitation is to fund an applied research and development project that will support research to assess the impact of consolidated packages of electrified retrofit measures on air quality and other related impact categories, including resilience to extreme heat, indoor comfort, and energy and cost savings in California homes. Description: This research will identify and assess non-energy benefits of home electrification and evaluate key stakeholders’ (e.g., residents, contractors) experience with the retrofitting process. Ultimately, this work will provide guidance on how these benefits could be considered in strategies and decisions to retrofit or replace gas-fueled appliances with electric. The proposed research is intended to provide crucial support to the state’s efforts to address challenges in building decarbonization and to minimize air quality impacts to its residents. The research responds to the 2021-2025 California Energy Commission (CEC) Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) Investment Plan research initiative “Evaluating Air Quality, Health, and Equity in Clean Energy Solutions.” CEC’s California Building Decarbonization Assessment report, required by Assembly Bill 3232 (Friedman, Chapter 373, Statutes of 2018) suggests that efficient electrification in California’s buildings presents the most readily achievable pathway for this sector to achieve a 40 percent reduction in greenhouse gases relative to 1990 levels by 2030 (Kenney, et al. 2021). The same report acknowledges significant challenges associated with residential building decarbonization including high upfront costs, potential for increased utility bills, limited awareness of technology options and their benefits, constraints faced by renters, and systemic inequality faced by low-income and disadvantaged communities. There are many non-market factors to consider in decisions to retrofit or replace appliances, such as the non-energy benefits of home electrification (e.g., health, comfort, and household economics) that many are not aware of. Additionally, there are many not-yet characterized potential benefits of electrification retrofits in existing homes (e.g., improved air quality). These existing homes pose challenges — as well as enormous potential benefits — related to electrification; however, they are not typically covered under the Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards, which apply only to new buildings and buildings undergoing permitted upgrades. Improvements in indoor air quality and related health outcomes are of particular importance to populations in low-income and disadvantaged communities, which are often disproportionately burdened by energy-related air pollutants. For example, in August 2023, the operating lives of three once through cooling (OTC) fossil gas power plants were extended through 2026 to provide reserve generation during power emergencies (CalMatters 2023, California Energy Commission 2023) and the emissions from OTC smokestacks can impact the outdoor and indoor air quality of residents living near those plants. In addition, wildfire-generated air pollution poses an added threat, possibly compounding already existing air quality issues in these communities. Eligibility Requirements Eligible Applicants: Business Individual Nonprofit Other Legal Entity Public Agency Tribal Government This solicitation is open to all public and private entities with the exception of local publicly owned electric utilities. Eligible Geographies: No local publicly owned electric utilities. Matching Funding Requirement: Match funding is required in the amount of at least 5% minimum of the requested CEC funds.

This program provides financial assistance to businesses and organizations in Pennsylvania for developing and implementing alternative and clean energy projects, helping to create jobs and promote sustainable energy solutions.

The purpose of this solicitation is to award grants to fund projects focused on geothermal energy and lithium recovery from geothermal brine that support local jurisdictions and private entities to advance the geothermal sector and related activities per Public Resource Code (PRC) Sections 3800-3827 and California Code of Regulations (CCR) Sections 1660-1665. ; This solicitation aims to support the goals of Senate Bill 100 (SB 100, De Leon, Chapter 312, Statures of 2018), Assembly Bill 32 (AB 32, Nunez, Chapter 488, Statutes of 2006), and SB 32 (Pavley, Chapter 249, Statutes of 2016) to meet the eligible renewable energy, zero-carbon energy, and greenhouse gas emission reduction goals. The proposed projects must not exceed thirty-six (36) months in length – the project term must be in alignment with the proposed project scope and budget, and it is encouraged to explain that alignment in the Project Narrative (Attachment 3). The proposed projects are limited to addressing one of the eligible purposes allowed by the Geothermal Grant and Loan Program, as presented in Section I.C., Project Focus, per PRC Section 3823. This solicitation will be conducted as a two-phase process. Phase one is for local jurisdictions that want to compete for technical assistance funds to develop and prepare the full proposal for this solicitation. Phase one applicants need to complete a 1) Technical Assistance Application Form, 2) Technical Assistance Project Summary, and 3) Technical Assistance Scope of Work. Phase two is for local jurisdictions and private entities to submit the full proposal, as indicated in Section I E. (Key Activities Schedule) of this solicitation. See Part II of this solicitation for applicant and project eligibility requirements. Phase one and Phase two applications will be evaluated as follows: (1) proposal screening and (2) proposal scoring, as fully described in Section IV. Applicants may submit multiple applications, though each application must address only one of the eligible purposes identified in Section 1 C. (Project Focus) of this solicitation. If an applicant submits multiple applications, each application must be for a distinct project (i.e., no overlap with respect to the tasks described in the Scope of Work).

The purpose of this solicitation is to fund applied research to increase California’s hydropower generation through precipitation enhancement (cloud seeding). Research funded by this solicitation will foster cost-effective, robust approaches to manage anticipated needs for zero-carbon, fast-ramping resources in the context of a rapidly evolving energy system and climate change.; The proposed research contributes to implementation of the Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) 2021-2025 Investment Plan and responds to the strategic objective: “Inform California's Transition to an Equitable, Zero-Carbon Energy System that is Climate-Resilient and Meets Environmental Goals” (Chapter 7). Specifically, this solicitation supports the topic 44 within the Climate Resilience Initiative: “Integrating Climate Resilience in Electricity System Planning.” Hydroelectric power is an important source of zero-carbon, dispatchable power in California. It is a critical element of the state’s electricity system and in-state generation, providing peaking reserve, spinning reserve, and load following capacity, as well as transmission line support (Somani, et al., 2021). The percentage of the state’s electricity supplied by hydropower varies, as hydropower resources are strongly dependent on magnitude and timing of snowmelt runoff and rainfall. Between 2012 and 2021, hydropower (including in-state generation and imports) provided an average of 9 percent of California’s total energy mix (California Energy Commission 2022). As the state continues to contend with drought and other climate-driven impacts on water and hydropower resource availability, as well as develop more sustainable water management practices (California Water Action Plan, 2014), the proposed research will support opportunities for increasing and sustaining hydropower generation. Specifically, the research will contribute to more effective precipitation enhancement (cloud seeding) strategies.

The Indiana Office of Energy Development is seeking applications for its Empowering Energy Partnerships in Indiana Communities. Donor Name: Indiana Office of Energy Development State: Indiana County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/01/2024 Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000 Grant Duration: 3 Years Details: The Indiana Office of Energy Development is committed to affordable, stable, and reliable energy solutions for the benefit of all Hoosiers. Indiana OED supports the development of comprehensive energy policy that supports a diverse and balanced portfolio of energy resources. Program Goals  Empowering Energy Partnerships in Indiana Communities (EPIC) is a community-based competitive grant program to address energy needs and priorities at a community or regional level. Applicants are encouraged to think big, and to consider how they can address their energy needs on a larger scale. The purpose of the EPIC grant program is to support a comprehensive energy solutions program tailored to specific communities and serve as a model for other communities across Indiana. The goals of the EPIC program are to support Indiana’s five pillars of electricity policy: reliability, resiliency, stability, affordability, and environmental sustainability. Each proposal is encouraged to support as many of the five pillars as possible with a measurable impact. Proposals must be able to demonstrate public benefit to their communities, including but not limited to underserved and disadvantaged communities. Successful applicants will serve as a model for other communities with similar energy needs and goals. Awardees will share their progress during the project and their success upon project completion. Further, to support broader local and state priorities, awarded projects will demonstrate a connection to one or more of the following state priorities: economic development, workforce development, education, and public safety. Partnerships are expected to be an essential element. Funding Information Indiana OED is making approximately $2,500,000 available. OED anticipates awards averaging $300,000 to $500,000 per awardee. Project Period 3 years or less. Eligible Projects & Technologies Proposals must fall into one or more of the following topics. Example technologies are listed but are not exhaustive. Energy Efficiency- Includes projects that result in using less energy, such as: Building upgrades and retrofits Energy system technology to monitor and manage energy usage Weatherization measures Higher efficiency technology, equipment, and appliances Alternative Fueling and Charging Infrastructure-Includes projects for publicly accessible alternative fueling and/or charging infrastructure to reduce energy consumption and reduce local emissions. Vehicle purchases are not allowable under EPIC. Alternative fuels include biodiesel (B20+), compressed natural gas, electric, ethanol, hydrogen, liquid natural gas, propane, and renewable diesel (R20+). Examples include: Publicly accessible electric vehicle charging infrastructure (excluding Level 3 or DC fast charging) Vehicle-to-Grid technology development and/or deployment Publicly accessible alternative fuel fueling infrastructure Energy Security and Reliability-Includes projects that support resource adequacy, and support responses to and recovery from energy emergencies, shortages, or disruptions. Examples include: Backup generation (battery energy system storage, solar + battery storage, propane) Microgrid technologies Cybersecurity measures Clean Energy Resources- Includes projects that result in the use of renewable and other clean energy technologies, such as: Battery storage Solar (and solar + battery) Geothermal Wind Biomass Eligibility Criteria Eligible entities include local units of government, non-profit organizations, for-profit entities, and institutions of higher education. Entities that work throughout a community or region and can coordinate partnerships are strongly encouraged, such as local and regional economic development organizations, community foundations, and other organizations that participate in community development initiatives. Eligible entities must be Indiana based and registered with both the federal and state governments in order to receive award fund An eligible entity may submit only one proposal. An entity can coordinate submission on behalf of multiple beneficiaries. A community may be a part of multiple submissions as long as they are not the prime applicant (i.e., the one executing the grant agreement with OED) in more than one submission. Tiered subawards are not allowable under the federal award, so the prime recipient may only release funds to subcontractors to perform work on the project and may not make further subawards. For more information, visit OED.

This program provides financial assistance for energy audits to help New Hampshire's agricultural producers and rural small businesses improve energy efficiency and reduce costs.

The City of Evanston’s “Sustain Evanston” Incentive Program is a funding tool to assist small business owners to implement sustainability measures that align with the goals of the City’s Climate Action & Resilience Plan while reducing their operating costs and better serving their customers. Donor Name: City of Evanston State: Illinois City: Evanston Type of Grant: Grant Deadline:  06/30/2024 Size of the Grant: $10,000 to $100,000 Grant Duration: Grant Duration Not Mentioned Details: The City provides a rebate of the total cost of qualifying interior or exterior improvements. The Economic Development Division and Sustainability & Resilience Division manage the program. Funding Information Eligible applicants will receive assistance from $1,000 to $25,000. Eligible Expenses Capital Projects such as: Heat Pumps EV Charging Infrastructure Solar PV Waste Collection Enclosures Balers/Compactors Green Infrastructure Green Roofs Insulation Windows Equipment such as: Containers Reusable containers Lighting/Fixtures Appliances (dishwasher, refrigerator, induction stove) Services such as: Composting Services Recycling Services Energy/Water Benchmarking Services Consulting Education Materials such as: Signage Labels Eligibility Criteria Eligible participants of the program include: Commercial property owners Tenants of commercial buildings Business Districts Coalition of businesses Tenants must have:  A written commitment to operating within the City of Evanston: A current lease with a minimum of five (5) years remaining from the date of application or; Evidence that the business has operated in Evanston for over five (5) years or; A combination of historical operation and remaining lease time totaling at least five (5) years Written approval from the property owner to participate in the Program Proper business license and/or registration with the City No outstanding debt with the City Business Districts or Coalitions must have:  List of businesses that the project would benefit; Participating business owners’ signed letter of support or signature Proper business license and/or registration with the City No outstanding debt with the City Commercial Property Owners must have:  Proof of ownership No outstanding debt with the City For more information, visit  City of Evanston.

Inflation Reduction Act Funding for Advanced Biofuels Bioenergy Technologies Offices 2024 Systems Development and Integration (SDI) FOA is funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of 2022. IRA Section 60108(b) authorized $10 million to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for new grants to industry in advanced biofuels. EPA and DOE entered an Interagency Agreement to transfer the funds to DOE and allow DOE to manage a FOA with substantial involvement from EPA. The FOAs topic areas are of mutual interest for both the EPAs priority in the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) program and DOE BETOs priority in the Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Grand Challenge as well as SDIs priority in supporting four demonstration-scale integrated biorefineries by 2030. For both topic areas, the application must discuss how the proposed technology would meet the RFS definition of advanced biofuel, which means using allowable feedstocks, producing allowable fuel types, and with lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reductions of at least 50% compared to petroleum base baseline.

Launched in 2023, this program aims to enhance Maryland's strategic sectors through innovation infrastructure projects. With $10 million allocated for FY2024, it supports a wide range of technology sectors and is set to run until June 30, 2027. Projects include various infrastructure developments to foster innovation and growth. The Build Our Future Grant Pilot Program and Fund (Fund) is a financing resource operated by the Maryland Department of Commerce (Commerce), to provide grants for innovation infrastructure projects intended to support innovation in an eligible technology sector. In FY24 $10 million is available for grants to transformative projects that accelerate the growth of the state’s strategic industry sectors. Grants may be awarded to private companies, nonprofit entities, local governments, or colleges and universities in the State.

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is being issued by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy;apos;s (EERE) Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office (AMMTO). The goals of this FOA are to advance manufacturing platform technologies in the following specific areas: Platforms for next generation battery manufacturing - focusing on manufacturability and scalability of critical battery components and system architectures as well as the role of machines for battery techonlogies (i.e., sodium-ion batteries (NIBs), flow batteries, and nanolayered films) Smart manufacturing platforms for battery production - developing innovative ways to revolutionize battery prouction by maximizing the benefits of smart manufacturing This FOA will support activities to advance platform techonologies that enable flexible, scalable, and highly controllable battery manufacturing processes. Topics include: 1. Platforms for Next Generation Battery Manufacturing 1.1 Processes and Machines for Sodium-ion Batteries 1.2 Processes and Design for Manufacturability of Flow Batteries 1.3 Scalable Manufacturing of Nanolayered Films for Energy Storage 2. Smart Manufacturing Platforms for Battery Production Please see https://eere-exchange.energy.gov for full funding announcement.

Grant Name: Technology Industry Grant Donor: City of Peoria, Illinois Type: Grant Deadline: Ongoing Grant Size: $10,000 - $25,000 Description: The Technology Industry Grant offers funding to technology-related businesses looking to establish or expand within the city of Peoria. Eligible industries include Agricultural Technology (AgTech), Biological Medical Technology (BioTech), Medical Technology (MedTech), and other technological advancements. Applicants should demonstrate established seed funding, a proof of function prototype, and a plan for further product development. The program aims to attract technology businesses, stimulate public and private investment, introduce new technology to the area, and support commercial space activity in business districts. Priority locations for funding include the Medical District, Central Business District, and West Main Street within the city boundaries. Eligible uses of the grant include lease or mortgage assistance, operational expense support, and other business costs related to the newly opened location. Small businesses with 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees are eligible to apply if they meet all criteria outlined by the City of Peoria. For more information and application details, visit City of Peoria website.

The Energy CLASS (Champions Leading the Advancement of Sustainable Schools) Prize is a grant opportunity offered by the U.S. Department of Energy State and Community Energy Program Office (SCEP). The prize aims to support local education agencies in establishing and training energy managers to identify, plan, and implement efficiency and health upgrades in schools. With $80 million available, the grant will help schools across the country lower utility costs, improve indoor environmental quality, and reduce carbon emissions. The Energy CLASS Prize consists of two phases. In Phase 1, up to 25 selected LEAs will receive $100,000 in cash prizes to support participation in a 12-month training program. In Phase 2, participants will undergo 80-160 hours of online educational courses and receive one-on-one support and coaching related to building upgrades. At the end of Phase 2, participants can submit a progress report and a plan for future building upgrades for a chance to win a $50,000 bonus prize. To apply, LEAs need to submit a statement of need, letters of support, and demonstrate their commitment to making building energy upgrades. Interested applicants should review the official rules for complete application instructions. For updates or questions, applicants can subscribe on the HeroX platform or contact the Energy CLASS Prize team directly at [email protected].

The Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity (RMUC) Program is offering a grant opportunity for electric cooperative, municipal, and small investor-owned utilities with limited cybersecurity resources. The Advanced Cybersecurity Technology (ACT) 1 Prize is a three-phase competition that challenges eligible utilities to identify risks and implement solutions to improve their overall cybersecurity posture. Utilities that progress through the competition will receive cash prizes and technical assistance to invest in staff training, governance processes, and cybersecurity tools and technologies. To apply, interested applicants should review the official rules for the complete application process and requirements. Eligible utilities can then create a HeroX account, accept the ACT 1 Prize Competitor Agreement, and choose whether to compete as a team. Application templates are available to aid in completing the application. Additionally, Phase 1 applicants must participate in two mandatory virtual webinars. The ACT 1 Prize offers a total prize pool of up to $8.96 million in cash and technical assistance across three phases: Commitment, Planning, and Implementation. Each phase concludes with a prize award. In the Commitment Phase, utilities prepare submission packages describing their resources, need for improving cybersecurity, and commitment to participating. In the Planning Phase, utilities work with technical assistance providers to assess systems, identify training needs, understand risks and solutions, and draft an implementation roadmap. Finally, in the Implementation Phase, utilities make progress towards completing their roadmap with the help of technical assistance providers. Administered by DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and managed by DOE's Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response (CESER), the RMUC Program's ACT 1 Prize is part of a larger initiative to enhance the cybersecurity posture of electric utilities. The program will provide $250 million over five years to support critical investments, deliver technical assistance, and provide cybersecurity training to utility workers. This will result in a more secure and resilient energy grid. Interested parties can visit the RMUC Program webpage for more information and to sign up for updates.

The Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Prize is a grant opportunity for creative individuals, entrepreneurs, and businesses to address challenges in the lithium-ion battery recycling supply chain. The goal of this phased prize competition is to develop and demonstrate processes that can capture 90% of all discarded or spent lithium-ion batteries in the United States for recovery of key materials. The continuation of the prize will award a total of $7.4 million in cash prizes and voucher support over the next 3 years. This includes a new competition track for new competitors and previous participants, as well as additional support for Phase III winning teams. Breakthrough, a new public contest, aims to incentivize innovative solutions from battery industry entrepreneurs that align with the prize goal. Up to $2.4 million in cash prizes and voucher funding will be awarded to up to 10 winners. Winners will also have the opportunity to advance to Phase IV of the competition. Qualified lithium-ion battery recyclers and second-life testing organizations are also being sought as Evaluation Entities for Phase IV. More information about becoming an Evaluation Entity can be found on the American-Made website.

The Equitable and Affordable Solutions to Electrification (EAS-E) Home Electrification Prize offers up to $2.4 million in prizes for innovative solutions that advance the electrification retrofits of residential homes across all building types and geographies. The goal is to make electrification more affordable and accessible in existing U.S. homes, with a focus on equitable solutions for all homeowners, including those in low-income and under-resourced communities. The prize supports design solutions, tools, and technology innovations that enable the switch to electric products and reduce carbon emissions. Low-power electrification solutions are strongly encouraged. The competition consists of two phases: Phase 1 focuses on presenting proposed solutions and up to five winners receive a $5,000 cash prize and a $75,000 voucher to work with DOE national laboratories. Phase 2 involves finalizing teams, demonstrating functional prototype solutions, and up to three winners receive prizes, with a top prize of $1 million. The competition is open to individuals, private entities, nonfederal government entities, and academic institutions. For more information, refer to the official rules document.

Grant Opportunity: 2024 Equity Workforce Planning and Capacity Grants – Massachusetts Donor: Massachusetts Clean Energy Technology Center (MassCEC) State: Massachusetts County: All Counties Type of Grant: Grant Deadline: 05/20/2024 Grant Size: $894,422 - Planning Grants: $20,000-$50,000 - Capacity Grants: $30,000-$150,000 Duration: 2 years Details: The grants aim to provide funding and technical assistance to organizations focused on supporting minority and women-owned businesses, individuals from environmental justice neighborhoods or low-income communities, members of tribes, underrepresented communities in the clean energy workforce, and current or former workers from the fossil fuel industry. The program seeks to expand access to career and business opportunities in climate-critical fields and prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Goals: The program aims to grow Massachusetts’ clean energy workforce by prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts across economic opportunity categories. It seeks to produce a diverse bench of highly trained new workers and thriving minority and women-owned businesses. Funding Information: Total funding available is $894,422 for Planning and Capacity Grants. Eligibility Criteria: Community-based entities, post-secondary educational institutions, K-12 school districts, vocational schools offering a Career Technical Initiative evening program, for-profit entities such as training companies or trade associations, federally recognized and state-acknowledged tribes, workforce development organizations (nonprofit and for-profit), Massachusetts Workforce Investment Boards are eligible to apply as lead applicants. For more information visit MassCEC website.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to Virginia-based technology companies in the early stages of development to help them validate their products and grow their businesses in the state.