Grants for Small businesses - Energy

This funding opportunity provides financial support to U.S. and international organizations working to enhance global security by countering the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and related technologies.

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.

This funding opportunity supports innovative research and development projects from various organizations to advance Army technologies in ground vehicle systems, focusing on areas like power, mobility, and survivability.

This funding opportunity is designed to support research and projects that improve the efficiency and environmental performance of existing coal power plants in the U.S., targeting energy companies and technology developers focused on enhancing grid reliability and reducing emissions.

The Rural program is dedicated to enhancing surface transportation infrastructure within rural communities, with $780 million allocated for this purpose. It supports highway, bridge, and tunnel projects that improve freight, safety, and access to agricultural, commercial, energy, or transportation facilities critical to a rural area's economy. This program recognizes the unique challenges faced by smaller communities in accessing funding and aims to support projects that address these needs directly. The submission deadline is May 6, 2024.

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 Economic Development Fund, supported by the East Tennessee Foundation, is designed to advance regional economic development through charitable and educational programs. This grant program directly aligns with the foundation's mission by fostering economic growth and stability within selected counties of Tennessee. The foundation's strategic priority is to invest in initiatives that contribute to the long-term well-being and prosperity of the region, utilizing a theory of change that posits that targeted support for economic and educational programs will lead to a more vibrant and sustainable local economy. The program targets 501(c)(3) public charities, units of government, and public educational institutions. New or emerging groups without nonprofit status can apply with a fiscal sponsor. The ideal beneficiaries are organizations that demonstrate a commitment to non-discrimination, ensuring that their projects do not exclude individuals based on race, color, national origin, religion, gender, familial status, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status. The impact goals are centered on strengthening the economic infrastructure and educational opportunities within the community. The fund prioritizes projects that contribute to regional economic development, with a particular focus on programs that align with the foundation’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. While faith-based organizations are welcome to apply, their projects must not have explicit religious content, express a particular religious view, limit participation based on faith affiliation, or require participation in religious activities or services. This ensures that the grants support broadly accessible community-focused initiatives. Expected outcomes include enhanced economic activity, increased educational attainment, and a more robust regional economy. Measurable results will be assessed through the one-year grant term, from August 1, 2024, to July 31, 2025. The grants, ranging from $5,000 to $6,500, are intended to provide meaningful support for projects that can demonstrate tangible progress within this timeframe. The foundation expects to see clear evidence of how the funding has contributed to the stated economic development and educational goals.

This program provides financial assistance to businesses in Wabasha for improving the exterior of their commercial or industrial buildings, promoting revitalization and private investment in the community.

This funding opportunity supports organizations and businesses in Kentucky that are working on innovative nuclear energy projects, with a focus on job creation, workforce training, and community engagement in underserved areas.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for U.S.-owned nuclear industry entities to develop advanced technologies for recycling used nuclear fuel and improving waste management, while ensuring compliance with national security policies.

This program provides financial support to U.S.-based developers of hydropower technologies, enabling them to access testing facilities that will help improve their innovations and accelerate commercialization.

This competition provides funding to U.S.-based businesses and teams to develop innovative solutions for efficiently recycling lithium-ion batteries, promoting sustainability and reducing reliance on foreign materials.

This funding opportunity supports U.S.-based businesses, academic institutions, and non-profits in developing innovative solutions for sustainable supply chains that reduce waste and promote recycling, while also fostering community benefits and workforce development.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to electric and energy-related operators in California for projects that improve the reliability and resilience of the electric grid against wildfires and extreme weather.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to local businesses and non-profits for community-focused projects that promote public engagement, enhance public spaces, and foster economic growth in Hyattsville.

The purpose of this solicitation is to provide cost share funding to applicants that apply for and receive one of the following:  An award under an eligible federal Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and meet the requirements of this solicitation, or  Follow-on funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to continue research from a previously awarded federal grant that also received Energy Commission federal cost share funding under PON-14-308, GFO-18-902, or this GFO and the proposed project meets the requirements of this solicitation.   Continuously Updated Eligible Cost Share Opportunities Before applying, applicants are encouraged to check Eligibility Requirements in Section II of this solicitation. As new eligible cost share opportunities are released, the Energy Commission will revise this document with corresponding information on how to apply for cost share for that funding opportunity. Information on currently eligible funding opportunities can be found in the Eligible Federal Funding Opportunities section of the Eligibility Requirements (Section II.A.). The Energy Commission will provide cost share only to applicants that are applying for a federal funding opportunity or follow-on funding as described above. If the applicant has already received a federal award or follow-on funding and is seeking retroactive cost share, that application will not be eligible for CEC cost share funds under this solicitation.

The Recipients will implement the program in their awarded region to install energy-efficient electric appliances, energy efficiency measures, and related upgrades directly to low-income households living in single-family, multifamily, and manufactured homes in underresourced communities. Applications are required to (1) include community-based organizations (CBOs) for culturally appropriate outreach, education, and support for participating households and communities, and (2) include expertise in decarbonization of single-family homes, multifamily buildings, and manufactured housing.

This funding opportunity supports partnerships that include domestic academic institutions to develop innovative technologies for extracting and refining rare earth elements from unconventional sources, enhancing the U.S. supply chain and reducing environmental impact.

The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) provides guaranteed loan financing and grant funding to agricultural producers and rural small businesses in Idaho for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements. Eligible entities include agricultural producers with at least 50% income from agricultural operations and small businesses in rural areas, meeting specific criteria. The program supports a range of projects, including biomass, geothermal, hydropower, wind, and solar energy systems, as well as energy efficiency upgrades. Applications are accepted year-round, with specific deadlines for fiscal years 2023 and 2024.