Grants for Small businesses - Energy

This program provides funding to various organizations and communities in Colorado for the purchase and installation of high-efficiency electric heating and appliances, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings.

Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) have announced the opening of applications for the Department of Energy's (DOE) grant program aimed at enhancing the resilience of electric grids against disruptive events. The program is designed to allocate competitive grants to improve infrastructure and reduce the likelihood and impact of such events on the electrical grid. The grant supports weatherization, fire-resistant technologies, monitoring and control systems, vegetation management, adaptive protections, and advanced modeling technologies. This grant opportunity is now active with a closing deadline of June 28, 2024.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for innovative energy storage technology development and demonstration projects in New York State, targeting organizations capable of advancing next-generation storage solutions.

This solicitation presents an opportunity to shift towards on-site clean, dispatchable generation technologies, addressing the evolving generation mix and ensuring an ample supply of resources to meet the demands of critical facilities during the net peak period while maintaining system reliability. These technologies are well-suited to ensure a reliable and resilient energy supply for critical infrastructure on-site, including communications, healthcare, government offices, and many more, to provide on-demand load and peak matching. As such, this solicitation will focus on advancing emerging clean, dispatchable generation technologies, such as fuel cells or linear generators, using 100 percent renewable fuels, especially for critical sectors like industrial and commercial that have operational needs during peak hours. The projects from this solicitation will be deployed in these critical sectors and will reduce their demand on the grid, thereby decreasing the reliance from fossil-gas power plants during times of high electricity demand. Expected outcomes include on-site pilot-scale deployment of cost-effective and highly efficient clean, dispatchable generation technologies that will support energy demand of critical facilities and reduce the strain from the state’s electric grid while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions and criteria pollutants by curbing fossil-based generation. Ultimately, these projects will contribute to supporting the state's decarbonization goals, enhancing the reliability and strengthening the resilience of the state’s electric grid by increasing the availability of on-site clean, dispatchable generation technologies.

DOE is seeking information, comments, feedback, and recommendations from interested parties to determine what capabilities supporting research, training and technology demonstration are of highest interest to the nuclear energy research community.All responses are to be made at NEUP.gov per the attached instructions. NE’s mission is to advance nuclear energy science and technology to meet United States (U.S.) energy, environmental, and economic needs. NE has identified the following goals to address challenges in the nuclear energy sector, to help realize the potential of advanced technology, and to leverage the unique role of the Government in spurring innovation: 1. Enable continued operation of existing U.S. nuclear reactors. 2. Enable deployment of advanced nuclear reactors. 3. Develop advanced nuclear fuel cycles and spent nuclear fuel management options. Developing and maintaining a national RD&D framework to achieve NE’s mission requires an integrated approach involving people, tools, facilities, and knowledge tied to strategic partnerships. The infrastructure (i.e., tools and facilities) for nuclear research is a critical part of this framework. NE currently solicits and awards general scientific infrastructure enhancements to universities and national laboratories, as well as university research reactor upgrades through an annual Scientific Infrastructure Support for Consolidated Innovative Nuclear Research (CINR) Funding Opportunity Announcement. The awards made through this mechanism primarily focus on supporting infrastructure for localized research and training needs. NE has implemented an initiative to expand the infrastructure program to enhance the regional or national impact of university research reactors and other nuclear energy research capabilities, and to expand the scope and breath of infrastructure projects and expanding the reach of capabilities through consortia, partnerships and/or reactor sharing.

This competition provides financial incentives for U.S.-based manufacturers of solar photovoltaic modules and inverters to achieve environmental certification, enhancing their marketability and sustainability efforts.

The City of Dallas Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability’s (OEQS) Urban Agriculture Division, in partnership with Dallas County Health and Human Services, is implementing an Urban Agriculture Infrastructure Support Program (UAISP). This grant program is designed to strengthen the capabilities of urban growers and farmers within the city of Dallas. The overarching mission alignment is to advance food security, foster healthier communities, and mitigate disparities within the local food system, directly addressing critical community needs through sustainable agricultural practices. The primary beneficiaries of this program are urban growers and farmers in Dallas. The program aims to assist them with the planning, design, and installation of eligible infrastructure, while also simplifying the permitting process. The key impact goals are to enhance the capacity of these growers, ultimately leading to a more robust and equitable local food system, improved access to healthy and safe foods, and a reduction in food-related disparities. The UAISP prioritizes projects focused on power and water infrastructure. Allowable expenditures include project plans/designs, counseling, utility connections (on or off-grid for water, off-grid for energy), contracted labor/installations, greenhouses/hoop houses, versatile high tunnels, cold storage equipment, grow light systems, and bee hives. Projects that directly support the production, aggregation, and/or processing of food through power or water infrastructure will receive preferential consideration during the application evaluation. Expected outcomes include a significant improvement in the infrastructure supporting urban agriculture, leading to increased food production and processing capabilities. Measurable results will likely involve the number of grants awarded, the types of infrastructure implemented (e.g., number of new irrigation systems, cold storage units, greenhouses), and the resulting impact on food security and community health within Dallas. The program's strategic priority is to build resilience in the local food system, with a theory of change that posits that by providing financial and technical support for essential infrastructure, urban growers will be empowered to expand their operations, thereby creating a more accessible, sustainable, and equitable food supply for the community.

The anticipated funding opportunity announcement (FOA) aims to support research and development projects under the Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO). The goals include the demonstration of smart charge management for electric vehicles, improvement of 12-volt lead-acid batteries for safety-critical electric vehicle applications, development of strategies to reduce the likelihood of cascading effects of electric vehicle fires, reduction in battery electrode, cell, and pack manufacturing costs, advancement of silicon-based anodes for lithium-ion batteries, and development of high-energy density conversion cathodes. The FOA emphasizes advancing equity, addressing the climate crisis, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Eligible applicants are encouraged to include underrepresented groups and underserved communities in their project teams. The FOA will fund activities related to electric vehicle (EV) technologies, focusing on areas such as smart charge management, safety improvements in EV batteries, cost reduction in battery manufacturing, and the development of advanced battery materials. The Department of Energy aims to drive innovation in clean energy technologies, ensuring environmental justice and inclusion. Specific areas of interest include wide-scale demonstrations of smart charge management, enhancement of safety-critical 12-volt lead-acid batteries, reduction of cascading effects of battery fires, cost reduction in battery manufacturing, and the development of high-energy-density battery components.

This program provides financial assistance to small business and commercial property owners in Jackson, Mississippi, to improve the appearance of their buildings and attract more customers and investors.

Equitable Energy Future Grant Program (Notice of Funding Opportunity 3054-2638): The Equitable Energy Future Grant Program, administered by the Commerce And Econ Opp agency, aims to provide seed funding and pre-development funding opportunities to eligible contractors for renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in historically disadvantaged communities. The program is designed to remove barriers caused by lack of capital and promote project, community, and business development. The anticipated number of awards is 40, with an estimated total program funding of $25,500,000. The award range is between $250,000 and $1,000,000. The source of funding is the state government of Illinois. There are no cost-sharing or matching requirements, but indirect costs are not allowed. The application period is from November 16, 2023, to June 30, 2024 at 5:00 PM. Technical assistance sessions are offered on November 30, 2023 at 12:00 PM and registration can be done through a provided link. Applicants must be pre-qualified entities registered in the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA) Grantee Portal. For more information on eligibility criteria and application requirements, please visit the grant application link provided in the description above.

This initiative provides financial support to early-stage climate technology startups in Massachusetts to help them develop their innovations and achieve commercial success in the clean energy sector.

This funding initiative provides financial support to nonprofit organizations led by local residents in the Texas Gulf Coast region, focusing on pollution reduction and the equitable transition to clean energy.

This program provides financial assistance to rural small businesses and agricultural producers for renewable energy projects and energy efficiency improvements to help reduce energy costs and promote sustainability.

This solicitation will target technologies that have the potential to demonstrate cost-effectiveness and scalable to multiple industrial facilities with potential to increase confidence for adoption.

This program provides financial assistance to small businesses in Portland that have suffered from break-ins or vandalism, helping them cover repair costs and improve security measures.

The Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program offers progressive courses with one-on-one coaching to help clean energy contractors to develop a business plan. It provides operational support grants, tailored business coaching, mentorship, access to Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program services, assistance with certifications and vendor status, support in preparing bids, networking opportunities, and access to financial development assistance programs, including zero-interest and low-interest loans.

The Opelousas Downtown Development District (ODDD), with support from the City of Opelousas and Opelousas Main Street (OMS), is launching the fifth round of funding for its Building Improvement Grant (BIG) program. This program is a grant/reimbursement initiative designed to empower property and business owners in rehabilitating commercial buildings. The overarching mission alignment for this program is to create a positive visual impact within the city, stimulate private investment, and diligently preserve Opelousas' historic identity and cultural assets. The primary beneficiaries of this grant program are property and business owners within the Opelousas Downtown Development District who own commercial buildings. The core impact goals are to foster economic development through private investment, enhance the aesthetic appeal of the downtown area, and ensure the safeguarding of the city's rich historical and cultural heritage. The program directly supports the revitalization of commercial spaces, which, in turn, contributes to a more vibrant and economically robust downtown. The program's priorities and focuses are clearly on tangible and permanent building improvements. Eligible uses of funds are comprehensive, including restoration and renovation of buildings, installation of awnings (without signage), brick cleaning or re-pointing, accent lighting, removal of deteriorating or inappropriate materials visible from the street, and restoration of windows, doors, and original exterior/interior architectural features. Additionally, interior work related to ceiling repair, electrical, and plumbing is covered, as well as work on roofs, cornices, gutters, downspouts, and the cleaning, preparation, and painting of walls and trim. These priorities are aimed at holistic improvement of commercial properties. The expected outcomes include a noticeable improvement in the visual appeal of downtown Opelousas, an increase in private investment in commercial properties, and the successful preservation of historic buildings. While not explicitly stated as "measurable results" in the traditional sense, the program's structure and goals imply that the number of rehabilitated buildings, the amount of private investment stimulated, and the visible improvements in the downtown area would serve as key indicators of success. The program offers a total of $200,000 in grant funds, with a maximum application amount of $10,000 per project, providing a clear framework for financial allocation and impact tracking.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency in Maui County, with a focus on initiatives led by women, youth, and traditional native Hawaiian practices.

This grant provides funding and support to early-stage U.S. startups developing innovative technologies that can meet critical needs of the Department of Defense.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that enhance the domestic processing, manufacturing, and recycling of critical battery materials to strengthen U.S. supply chains and reduce reliance on foreign sources.