Funding Opportunities
IRS: Elective Pay / Direct Pay
Elective pay allows applicable entities, including tax-exempt and governmental entities that would otherwise be unable to claim certain credits because they do not owe federal income tax, to benefit from some clean energy tax credits. By choosing this election, the amount of the credit is treated as a payment of tax and any overpayment will result in a refund.
Publication 5817-D, Elective Pay for Tax-Exempt Organizations
Publication 5817-F, Elective Pay for Indian Tribal Governments
Publication 5817-A, Elective Pay for Rural Electric Cooperatives
Tax Credits related to Elective Pay (Direct Pay)
EPN holds weekly Tuesday office hours for the IRA Pre-filing Registration Tool.
EPA: Grant Funding to Address Indoor Air Pollution in Schools – $32 million
This funding opportunity will provide approximately $32 million (awarding four to six grants of $5 million – $8 million) to support five years funding for grants and other activities to monitor and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and other air pollutants at schools in low-income, disadvantaged, and Tribal communities through the development and adoption of comprehensive indoor air quality (IAQ) management plans. There are four project areas:
- IAQ and greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction Capacity Building targeting facility management staff, health officers, and key decision makers at K-12 schools and/or school districts in low-income and disadvantaged communities.
- The same for Tribal Communities
- IAQ and GHG Reduction Training and Education Campaign for facility management staff and health officers at K-12 schools and school districts in low-income, disadvantaged, and Tribal communities, and/or the development of qualified K-12 school staff necessary to execute comprehensive IAQ and GHG Reduction Plans.
- IAQ and GHG Reduction Research and Demonstration Projects in K-12 schools located in low-income, disadvantaged, and/or Tribal communities.
Eligible Applicants: States, territories, Indian Tribes, nonprofit organizations, and local governments and educational agencies.
Submit Optional Notice of Intent to Apply: February 22, 2024.
To allow for efficient management of the competitive grant process, EPA requests that applicants send an email to IAQSchools@epa.gov. Include a project title, project area(s), the applicant’s name, and the expected funding amount that will be requested.
Applications Due: March 19, 2024, 10:59 PM CST
Grant Support: through the Great Lakes Environmental Justice TCTAC. To help applicants, EPN, a collaborator on the EJ TCTAC, has created a suggested 6-step application process—including a suggested timeline. Go to #1 on EPN’s website for more information.
NOFO: Grant Funding to Address Indoor Air Pollution at Schools – updated January 24, 2024 (PDF)
Information Session 1 Webinar presentation slides (PDF); view recording
Information Session Webinar 2 Webinar presentation slides (PDF) (February 2024); view recording
DOE: Advancing the National Clean Hydrogen Strategy Program – $59 Million
The purpose of the office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs Program is to create networks of hydrogen infrastructure and accelerate the use of hydrogen as a clean energy carrier.
Individual awards ranging between $250,000 and $10 million will aim to advance the fueling infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty (MD/HD) vehicles and other heavy transportation applications; develop and demonstrate hydrogen-based zero-emissions equipment for seaport facilities; address key challenges to sitting, permitting and installation; and improve community engagement and outreach to support environmental justice and ensure equitable deployment of clean hydrogen systems.
Applications are considered in two submission phases: a concept paper, and a full application. Only entities who have submitted the concept paper can submit a full application.
Eligible Applicants: State, local and tribal governments, for-profit and nonprofit-entities and higher education institutions
Concept Paper Due: January 26th, 2024
Full Application Due: March 22nd, 2024
Learn More about the funding opportunity to advance the National Clean Hydrogen Strategy
EPA: Community Change Grants – $2 Billion
EPA’s Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants program (Community Change Grants) offers approximately $2 billion dollars in Inflation Reduction Act funds for environmental and climate justice activities to benefit disadvantaged communities through projects that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges. These place-based investments will be focused on community-driven collaborative efforts that involve and are responsive to community and stakeholder input.
Applications can be under one of two tracks and a lead applicant can submit up to 2 grants:
Track I- Community-Driven Investments for Change with awards of $10-20 million each (~120 awards)
There are specific target investment areas for tribes ($300 million) and for unincorporated rural communities ($50million) within this.
There are 6 requirements that must be addressed in the application: Climate Action Strategy; Pollution Reduction Strategy; Community Engagement and Collaborative Governance Plan; Community Strength Plan; Readiness Approach; and, Compliance Plan.
The threshold eligibility criterion in Section III.D.4 regarding the Project Area Map has been revised
- Appendix A regarding the Project Area and Project Area Map has been revised including:
- Requiring a map for Track I applications addressing farmworker communities and disadvantaged unincorporated communities as defined in Appendix A.
Tack II – Meaningful Engagement for Equitable Governance with awards of $1-3 million each (~20 awards)
These initiatives will facilitate the engagement of disadvantaged communities in governmental decision-making processes that impact them to advance environmental and climate justice.
Eligible Applicants: a partnership between 2 community-based nonprofit organizations (CBO) or, a partnership between a CBO and one of the following: a federally recognized Tribe, local government, or institution of higher education.
Due Date: EPA is accepting applications on a rolling basis with applications due on or before November 21, 2024, 10:59pm CST (if there are funds remaining).
Initial award selection begins March 2024 with those projects to start June 2024. Applicants who are ready, try to submit by February 20, 2024.
Grant duration: 3 years maximum
Learn more:
To attend EPA webinars on the grants see CCTA Webinar Series below.
To listen to the recorded EPA Webinar about the Notice of Funding (NOFO), view recording December 7, 2023.
To learn about future webinars and resources go to Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program
Ready to Begin? Get Assistance with Your CCG Application
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Key links/Resources:
- Main EPA grant website: Inflation Reduction Act Community Change Grants Program
- Biden-Harris Community Change Grant Program NOFO announcement (Summarizes NOFO)
- NOFO: Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants Program
- EPN’s Suggested Six-Step Guide for EPA’s Community Change Grants
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Community Change Technical Assistance (CCTA) Webinar Series
EPA is holding a series of webinars every Tuesday through at least March 2024. They will provide information on the content and requirements of the Community Change Grants (CCG) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), available technical assistance, and answer questions about the grant application process. Schedule (all times CST) & topics:
- February 6, 2:00 PM – Applicant Eligibility, Statutory Partnerships, and Collaborative Entities
- February 13, 2:00 PM – Defining Disadvantaged Communities
- February 20, 2:00 PM – CCG NOFO Track I Overview
- February 27, 2:00 PM – CCG NOFO Track II Overview
- March 5, 2:00 PM – CCG Community Plans: Engagement, Governance, and Strength
- March 12, 2:00 PM – Complying with Federal Grants Requirements and Developing a Compliance Plan
- March 19, 2:00 PM – Preparing a Grant Budget
- Date To Be Determined, 2:00 PM – Project Evaluation
Register or View Past Webinars
OEI: Rural Energy Startup Program – $2.33 Million
The Office of Energy Innovation (OEI) at the Public Service Commission (PSC) is administering Wisconsin’s Rural Energy Startup Program (RESP) funded by US DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG). This program is geared to Wisconsin’s disadvantaged rural and Tribal communities that aren’t eligible to apply for EECBG funds through DOE. RESP funds strategies to reduce energy use, reduce fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency.
Projects must fall under one of three activities:
- Comprehensive Energy Planning
- Renewable Resource Planning
- Energy Audits and Building Upgrades.
Eligible Applicants: Wisconsin’s disadvantaged rural and Tribal communities. The specific communities that qualify for this funding are determined using several sources that have been rolled into a searchable Map app built for OEI. It includes maps that are based on census tract information using the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), maps of Wisconsin rural areas by zip code and population size, and data from the Office of Management and Budget.
Due Date: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, until funds are expended or March 29, 2024, at 1:30 PM Central, whichever comes first.
For more information RESP Webpage
Webinar that cover the program application instructions, Recording here, and slides here
Frequently Asked Questions
To learn How to Use the PSC Grants System
To receive updates from the PSC on RESP, subscribe to docket 9714-FG-2023.
USDA: Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) – $21 million
USDA has reinstated REAP funding in Wisconsin from December 2023 through September 2024. REAP provides loans and grants for renewable energy systems and energy efficiency improvements.
Eligible Applicants: Rural small businesses and agricultural producers
Due: March 31, 2024, June 30 2024, September 30, 2024
For more information and grant application
To watch a video on REAP funding, see UW-Extension’s Ag Producers and Rural Businesses: Clean Energy Funding Webinar
EPA: Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) Phase II Implementation Grants – $4.6 Billion
There are two competitions for the CPRG Implementation Grants: a general competition and a competition for Tribes and Territories.
Eligible applicants can apply to receive CPRG Implementation grants to implement greenhouse gas reduction programs, policies, projects, and measures identified in a CPRG planning grant’s Priority Climate Action Plan (PCAP).
For the general competition, individual grants will range between $2 million and $500 million. For the competition for tribes and territories individual grants range from $1 million to $25 million.
Eligible Applicants: States, air pollution control agencies, municipalities, Tribes, or groups of eligible entities that are covered by a plan developed with funding from a planning grant awarded under Phase I of the CPRG program.
General Competition Application Due: April 1, 2024
Tribes and Territories Competition Application Due: May 1, 2024
Learn more about the CPRG General Competition
CPRG Implementation Grants Training and Webinar Recordings
For Grants.gov training see EPN’s 6-Step Guide for Competition Application
DOE: Electric Drive Vehicle Battery Recycling and Second-Life Applications Program – $37 million
This funding will reduce the costs associated with transporting, dismantling, and preprocessing end-of-life electric drive vehicle batteries for recycling, and recycling of plastic and polymer electric drive battery accessory components.
Eligible entities: State, local, and tribal governments, for-profit and nonprofit entities, and higher education institutions
Concept papers due: February 7, 2024
Full applications due: April 19, 2024
See DE-FOA-0003120 for more information
DOE: Latest and Zero Building Energy Codes Grants Program – $530 million
This program provides funding for the adoption and implementation of the latest model energy codes, zero energy codes, building performance standards, and innovative codes that achieve equivalent energy savings to the latest model and zero energy codes.
Eligible entities: States, territories, or local governments with the authority to adopt building codes
Concept papers due: February 9, 2024
Full applications due: April 30, 2024
Learn more about the Latest and Zero Building Energy Codes Grant Program
DOE Regional Resource Hubs for Purpose-Grown Energy Crops – $29 million
This funding opportunity will support the development of a domestic supply chain of alternative sources of carbon. R&D activities funded from this FOA will provide the foundations to transform purpose-grown energy crops, including both algal and terrestrial crops, into environmentally sustainable, conversion-ready feedstocks.
Eligible entities: Including, but not limited to, higher education institutions, businesses, tribal entities, labor organizations, and workforce education and training providers
FOA Concept Papers Due: March 14, 2024, at 4:00 PM Central
Full Application Due: June 13, 2024, at 4:00 PM Central
NEW – Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program
Communities throughout six Midwest states (including Wisconsin) will receive a major infusion of federal support for environmental justice projects over the next three years, thanks to a new program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that is directing $50 million to a partnership serving the Great Lakes region. The Minneapolis Foundation, in partnership with the Midwest Environmental Justice Network (MWEJN), NDN Collective, and RE-AMP Network, has been selected to serve EPA Region 5 states as one of 11 grantmakers nationally in its new Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program. The partnership aims to distribute 30% of grant funding through this program to Indigenous communities, 25% to rural and 45% to urban areas to address local environmental and public health issues of underserved communities.
Subgrants will be distributed to community-based nonprofits and other eligible organizations in three concurrent tiers:
- Tier One: Grants for $150,000 for assessment.
- Tier Two: Grants for $250,000 for planning.
- Tier Three: Grants for $350,000 for project development.
More information about the grants will be announced in 2024 as the process is developed for the region. Press release
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program
$550 Million in funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is available to support community-based clean energy in state, Tribal, and local governments through US DOE’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program. There are two programs: formula grants and competitive grants.
EV Tax Credit Becomes An Instant Rebate
The Treasury Department issued guidelines for consumers to get the federal Electric Vehicle (EV) tax credit as an instant rebate at the dealership beginning January 1, 2024 rather than receiving it as a credit when they file their taxes the following year. A new EV can be up to $7,500 cheaper the day you purchase the vehicle and a used clean vehicle $4,000 less. Consumers should check fueleconomy.gov to see which vehicles are eligible for the credit.
The guidance provides additional information on registration requirements and how the mechanics of this transfer will work for car dealers. US Dept of the Treasury
Justice40 Initiative Covered Programs – $118 Billion
A 2021 Executive Order on Justice40 directs that 40% of the benefits from BIL and IRA investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, or overburdened by pollution. $118 B is earmarked for 74 federal funding opportunities across 19 federal agencies.
Justice40 Initiative Covered Programs List from the Whitehouse, November 2023
Solar on Schools Grant
Through a vision and generous support from the Couillard Solar Foundation, MREA launched Solar on Schools to provide year-round resources and grants to Wisconsin K-12 schools and select colleges pursuing solar PV systems.
- Grant: Wisconsin schools and colleges can apply for an in-kind module grant per school building installing solar. Grants are awarded up to 50 kW DC with a corresponding value of $20,000.
- Resource Center: They have compiled case studies, RFP and other templates, guiding documents, finance modeling tools, expert-presented videos, a WI school peer network and more to help schools Solar Planning Teams develop and execute a solar project.
For more information and Couillard Solar Foundation
Focus on Energy: 123 Rural Energy Audits
Work with your area Energy Advisor (there are 8 across WI) who will provide a list of energy efficiency projects for your home. If done in the order provided, additional incentives will be provided.
Project completion by October 2026.
Rural Renewable Solar Electric ZIP Codes eligible rural zip codes
Tax Credits & Rebates for Home Energy Upgrades
Wisconsin residents that make energy efficiency upgrades where they live may be eligible to receive income tax credits from the federal government as well as rebates from WI Focus on Energy (this applies to all WI residents regardless of utility). Scroll down the Focus table of Available Credits and Rebates to calculate the reduced cost of each improvement.
BCPL Funds School Clean Energy Projects
The Board of Commissioners of Public Lands (BCPL) makes loan funds available to Wisconsin School Districts for school energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. The Board recognizes the economic materiality of climate change and potential impacts of climate change on investments. BCPL manages $1.2 billion in State Trust Funds that benefit K-12 public schools and the University of Wisconsin.
Applications
For more information about the funding opportunity. Direct questions to BCPL Loan Officer.
Upcoming Deadlines
Rolling Applications began February 20
EPA:Community Change Grants
March 14, 4:00PM CST
DOE Regional Resource Hubs for Purpose-Grown Energy Crops
March 19, 10:59 PM CST
EPA: Grant Funding to Address Indoor Air Pollution in Schools
March 22
DOE: Advancing the National Clean Hydrogen Strategy Program
March 29, 1:30 CST
OEI: Rural Energy Startup Program
March 31
USDA: Rural Energy For America Program
Clean Energy Funding Webinar Series 2023
State Funding Resources
Justice40 Initiative Covered Programs – $118 Billion
74 Inflation Reduction Act grant, rebate, loan, and other funding programs covered by the Justice40 Initiative add up to over $118 billion in federal funding from 19 federal agencies.
Tax Credits & Rebates for Home Energy Upgrades
Wisconsin residents that make energy efficiency upgrades where they live may be eligible to receive income tax credits from the federal government as well as rebates from WI Focus on Energy (this applies to all WI residents regardless of utility). Scroll down the Focus table of Available Credits and Rebates to calculate the reduced cost of each improvement.
Grant Writing Basics Blog Series
Get tips and advice for writing federal grant applications through the Grant Writing Basics Blog Series by Grants.gov. The goal of the trainings is to provide the essential basics to begin writing.
Blog Series Topics covered include:
- Prepare for Reporting Requirements
- Peer Review Panels and the Federal Grant Application Evaluation Process
- Understand the Funder Before Writing
- How To Start Working on Future Funding Opportunities
- Tips to Avoid Last Minute Problems
- Additional Tips
Past Funding Opportunities
WI OEI: Energy Innovation Grant Program (EIGP) – $7.8 Million
Wisconsin’s Office of Energy Innovation (OEI) Energy Innovation Grant Program (EIGP) opened November 30, 2023. The PSC allocated $7.8 million for EIGP at an open meeting November 3, 2023. The funds are through a DOE grant from the birpartisan infrastructure law’s EECBG program and the office of state and community energy programs (SCEP).
These funds support projects in 3 categories:
- Renewable Energy & Energy Storage – $3.4 Million
- Energy Efficiency and Demand Response – $3.4 Million
- Comprehensive Energy Planning & Microgrid Feasibility Studies – $1 Million.
Eligible Applicants: Municipalities, Universities, Schools, Hospitals, and Like Entities (MUSH Market): cities, villages, towns, counties, K-12 school districts, tribes, municipal water and wastewater utilities, municipal electric utilities, municipal natural gas utilities, electric cooperatives, University of Wisconsin System campuses and facilities, Wisconsin Technical College System, public or nonprofit hospitals, 501(c)(3) nonprofits, and manufacturers.
Due Date: March 1st, 2024 before 1:30 pm CST.
Link to EIGP Application Instructions
EIGP Program Application Instructions Webinar slides here
For more information visit EIGP Webpage
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
To learn How to Use the PSC Grants System
To receive updates from the PSC on EIGP, subscribe to docket 9709-FG-2023
FEMA: Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) – $1 Billion
The Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program is an annual grant program for state agencies, county governments, local governments and Tribal Nations to implement long-term, cost-effective mitigation actions to reduce risk to infrastructure and communities. These funds will help address future risks from natural disasters, foster greater community resilience, and reduce disaster suffering. Local governments can submit subapplications to their state, territory, or tribal application agency to target specific projects to benefit their communities.
Eligible Applicants: states, territories and federally recognized tribal governments.
Eligible Subapplicants: local governments including cities, townships, counties, special district governments, state agencies, and federally recognized tribal governments.
Applications Due: February 29, 2024
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Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Direct Technical Assistance
FEMA is providing wide ranging non-financial support through BRIC Direct Technical Assistance (DTA), including climate risk assessments, community engagement, partnership building, and mitigation and climate adaptation planning. Assistance can range from pre-application activities to grant closeout.
Interested communities and tribes should submit a BRIC Direct Technical Assistance Request Form to be considered.
Forms due: February 29, 2024
Treasury & IRS: Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit for Solar and Wind
The Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program through the Inflation Reduction Act promote cost-saving clean energy investments in low-income communities, on Indian land, as part of affordable housing developments, and benefitting low-sincome households.
The bonus credit provides a 10 or 20 percentage point increase to the investment tax credit for qualified solar and wind energy facilities with a maximum net output of less than five megawatts (AC).
Eligible Applicants: Wind or solar project that will be completed within the next 12 months, are less than 5 MW, are:
- located in a Low-Income Community
- located on Indian Land
- part of a Qualified Low-Income Residential Building Project
- part of a Qualified Low-Income Economic Benefit Project
Due Date: Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis through February 29th, 2024 for categories with remaining capacity. It is recommended to review the fact sheet and prepare to file for an allocation ASAP.
Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program | Department of Energy Justice and Equity
Low-Income Communities Bonus Credit Program / IRS
Low Income Communities Bonus (LICB) Fact Sheet
EPA: 2023 Clean School Bus (CSB) Rebate Program
EPA anticipates awarding at least $500 million in rebate funding with the potential to modify this figure based on the application pool and other factors.
Eligible applicants can apply to receive funding for the purchase of up to 25 zero-emission (ZE) and/or clean school buses, along with ZE charging infrastructure and eligible workforce development costs. Selectees may be eligible for Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credits applicable to their bus and infrastructure purchases. For example, the Clean Vehicle tax credits for qualifying school buses are worth up to $40,000.
Priority Applicants: those that will replace buses serving high-need local education agencies, rural areas, Tribal school districts funded by the Bureau of Indian Affairs and public school districts receiving basic support payments for students living on Tribal land. In addition, EPA is committed to ensuring the CSB Program delivers on the Biden-Harris Administration’s Justice40 Initiative that at least 40% of the benefits of certain federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities.
Application Deadline: February 14, 2024 before 3PM CST
For more information see online application portal
Clean School Bus Rebates: Online Application Forms
2023 Clean School Bus Rebates Program Guide
Joint Office Technical Assistance Helpline
Webinars about the CSB Program
IRS: IRA Elective Pay/Direct Pay Pre-filling Registration Assistance
The IRS held office hours (through Microsoft Teams) to help tax-exempt entities with the pre-filing registration process on the new IRA Pre-filing Registration Tool. Pre-filing registration is a required step for applicable entities and eligible taxpayers to take advantage of elective payment/direct pay or transfer of credits available in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
January 30, 2024 | 12-1 PM CST | Register Here |
February 2, 2024 | 12-1 PM CST | Register Here |
February 6, 2024 | 12-1 PM CST | Register Here |
February 9, 2024 | 12-1 PM CST | Register Here |
WI Office of Rural Prosperity: Thrive Rural Wisconsin
Thrive Rural Wisconsin ,a program by the Office of Rural Prosperity in the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), helps rural communities leverage IRA funding for sustainable energy projects. Management support will be provided by the Office of Rural Prosperity, also applicants will have the ability to apply for predevelopment funds through WEDC for projects.
Eligible Applicants: County economic development organizations, nonprofits, and tribal organizations that are based in communities of 10,000 people or fewer.
Application Due: PASSED – January 16, 2024
For Informational Webinar Recordings
ACEEE: Technical Assistance for Communities to Improve Rental Energy Efficiency and Housing Affordability
ACEEE’s Energy Equity for Renters initiative is offering no-cost technical assistance services for up to 10 local governments and community-based organizations (CBOs) to help tackle the challenge of reducing energy waste in rental housing. This opportunity will be available for communities seeking to improve the energy efficiency of rental housing while also preserving or expanding housing affordability. Reducing rental housing energy use is vital for tackling climate change. These homes are less energy efficient than others, consuming 15% more energy per square foot on average than owner-occupied homes and leaving one-third of renters struggling to pay high bills.
Technical assistance work must involve CBOs working alongside local governments to ensure that any initiatives supported through this work are community-driven.
Application Due: PASSED – Friday, January 5, 2024
For more information: Visit ACEEE website and for a link to the online application.
Contact localpolicy@aceee.org with any questions.
USDOE: Communities Local Energy Action Program (LEAP)
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Communities Local Energy Action Program (LEAP) will provide technical assistance services valued at over $18 million to support 24-32 communities to develop and advance their own community-driven clean energy transition approach. This is not a funding opportunity announcement; however selected communities may have the opportunity to receive funds (up to $50,000) for services rendered to help implement the technical assistance. Communities LEAP seeks to facilitate sustained community-wide economic empowerment through clean energy, improve local environmental conditions, and open the way for other benefits primarily through DOE’s clean energy deployment work.
DOE has designed this initiative with the aim of:
- Recognizing each community’s specific energy-related challenges and opportunities.
- Supporting community member and stakeholder leadership in designing and implementing actions to address those challenges and opportunities.
- Building toward long-term community economic and environmental change and a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable future.
Eligible applicants: low-income, energy-burdened communities that are also either disadvantaged or experiencing direct economic impacts from a shift away from historical reliance on fossil fuels. Multi-stakeholder applicant teams must include at least one Community-Based Organization and one local government or tribal entity.
Application Deadline: PASSED – December 14, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. CST. Selections are expected to be announced March 2024.
To learn more about the second phase of Communities LEAP, register for webinars, and submit an application, please visit energy.gov/communitiesLEAP.
Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Grants – $115 million
DERA funding is intended to incentivize and accelerate the upgrading or retirement of the nation’s legacy diesel engine fleet. Eligible activities include the retrofit or replacement of existing diesel engines, vehicles, and equipment with EPA and California Air Resources Board certified engine configurations and verified retrofit and idle reduction technologies. EPA anticipates that approximately 4-10 cooperative agreements will be made per each of EPA’s ten regions subject to the availability of funds, the quantity and quality of applications received, and other considerations. Wisconsin is in EPA Region 5.
Eligible Entities: Regional, state, local, or Tribal agency, or port authority, which has jurisdiction over transportation or air quality. School districts, municipalities, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), cities, and counties
Deadline: PASSED – December 1, 2023
CEC: Environmental Justice for Climate (EJ4Climate) Grant Program- $2 million
The EJ4Climate Grant Program by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) provides funding directly to community-based organizations and seeks to support environmental justice by facilitating the involvement and empowerment of communities searching for solutions and the development of partnerships to address their environmental and human health vulnerabilities, including those due to climate change impacts. The CEC is calling for project proposals that will advance community-driven strategies in support of environmental justice and community resilience to the impacts of extreme weather events in urban areas. Projects will be implemented in overburdened communities in urban areas. Projects should create partnerships, advance community resilience, ensure meaningful local participation, and include an action plan with measurable results.
Eligible Entities: Nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), civil society groups, environmental groups, community-based associations, faith-based organizations, tribal nations, and Indigenous Peoples and communities
Deadline: Proposals due: PASSED
November 9, 2023
For more information and to apply
DOE: Energy Futures Grants – $27 million
These grants will support community-led innovation, prioritizing planning and analysis to ensure the benefits of clean energy flow to disadvantaged communities. Awards will support at least 50 multijurisdictional partnerships for states/territories, local government, and Tribes.
Eligible Entities: State, local, and Tribal government partners nonprofit partnerships
Deadline: PASSED – November 10, 2023
For more information and application form
Public Comment on EIGP & EECBG Grant Programs Open through October 25
A Public Service Commission memo has been issued for public comment on the scope of both the 2023 round of Energy Innovation Grant Program (EIGP) and the scope of the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG).
Comments are due by 1:30 pm on Wednesday, October 25, 2023. Submit a comment here.
Location: The Commission meeting will be held at the Hill Farms Office building and broadcasted virtually through the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin’s YouTube channel
Subscribe to the program dockets (9709-FG-2023 for EIGP, 9714-FG-2023 for EECBG) using EZ-subscribe to receive updates
EPA: Solar for All Funding
Solar for All will award up to 60 grants to states, territories, Tribal governments, municipalities, and nonprofits to expand the number of low-income and disadvantaged communities primed for residential solar investment—enabling millions of low-income households to access affordable, resilient, and clean solar energy. The Solar for All competition is to create programs to tackle barriers -financial and technical- to disadvantaged communities to deploy solar on residential rooftops (single and multi-family) or community solar for residential customers up to 5MW where half the power goes to residents, and associated storage (for resilience) or enabling upgrades (to ensure dwelling is solar ready like energy efficiency upgrades). So, these are not grants for projects but for programs. Grant funds may be used for financial assistance (minimum of 75% in subgrants, loans, rebates), project deployment tech assistance (workforce development program, outreach & ed, project deployment assistance- permitting, siting, interconnection), and program administration and procuring services and tools.
Notice of Intent (NOI) Due: PASSED
August 14 for municipalities and eligible nonprofits; August 28, 2023 for tribal governments.
There are 5 items in the NOI. Number 3. Number & Type of Applications
a. Award option 1, 2, or 3. Local and tribal govts and eligible nonprofits and coalitions are in option 1 F
b. Program coverage – geography
c. Estimated EPA funding requested (can be changed in actual proposal). The “small” program: no less than $25 million -$100m in funding that supports the number of households the program is designed to serve – must specify the number of HH up to 10,000 for the small. Medium and large up to $400m.
Application Due: PASSED September 26, 2023 at 10:59 PM CST through Grants.gov.
Solar for All Webinar recording
Solar for All Notice of Funding Opportunity
Direct questions to ggrf@epa.gov.
Travel Support for Midwest Climate Resilience Conference October 25-27, Duluth, MN
A travel scholarship application is open to local governments, Tribal representatives, nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, and other community leaders to attend the Midwest Climate Resilience Conference hosted by the University of Minnesota. Conference themes include: Actionable Climate Science; Cascading Climate Impacts; Collaborative Climate Action; Creative Communications and Engagement; Equitable Adaptation; Financial Solutions; and Policy, Governance & Law.
Applications PASSED
Accepted through Friday, August 25.
Preview the scholarship application form (PDF).
USDOE: Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement & Planning (R-STEP)
More Information Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program
Proposal release September 12
This USDOE funding program is designed to support local communities and states in planning and evaluating proposed siting and development of large-scale solar, wind, and battery storage. The Renewable Energy Siting through Technical Engagement and Planning (R-STEP) program seeks to expand the decision-making capacity and expertise of state and local governments around large-scale renewable energy planning, siting, and permitting recognizing that siting is a hyperlocal issue with each community having different needs and priorities when it comes to hosting large-scale renewable energy facilities.
Applicants: “Collaborative” – a cross-disciplinary team that could include: state energy offices, governor’s offices, University Extension, universities, non-governmental organizations, and community-based organizations.
Funding: $1-2 million each for 5-7 state-based Collaboratives
Application period: PASSED
September 12 – November 3, 2023, 4:00 PM CST
Informational webinar: September 11, 1pm CST. To Register
Questions? Please contact ENERGYWERX: info@energywerx.org
RENEW: Solar for Good
The Fall 2023 Solar for Good grant cycle opens Friday, September 1, 2023. Winning organizations will be provided with up to 50% of the modules needed to complete their project of solar panels, solar canopies or project grants. Remaining modules (same brand/model) can be purchased from the Couillard Solar Foundation (CSF) while supplies last. The cost for additional panels at this time* will be between $0.50-$0.55 per watt (*NOTE: prices are subject to change). Grants for donated modules DO NOT include shipping costs. Modules available for donation for the Fall 2023 round will be Philadelphia Solar Phenex 540W bifacial modules. All proceeds from the sales of additional panels go back to providing grants and administration for Solar for Good and the Couillard Solar Foundation.
Cash grants are also available for the Fall 2023 cycle. Winning organizations can receive $150 for every 1 kW of solar energy installed (max of $10,000 for projects < 100 kW and a max of $20,000 for projects > 100 kW).
Eligible Entities: Wisconsin Mission-based nonprofits & houses of worship
Deadline: PASSED
Completed applications must be submitted by Sunday, October 1, 2023.
Links for Solar for Good
Design Tips FAQ by CSF is available for anyone interested in optimizing the donated bi-facial modules.
Solar Canopy Design: A brochure for CSF’s solar canopy designs. Consider a solar canopy for providing electricity and shading at places like parks, picnic areas, community gathering spaces, community pools, and farmers markets.
EPA Clean Communities Investment Accelerator – $6 billion
This GGRF grant competition for the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator (CCIA) will provide grants to support two-to-seven hub nonprofit organizations, enabling them to provide funding and technical assistance to public, quasi-public, not-for-profit, and non-profit community lenders working in low-income and disadvantaged communities—supporting the goal that every community in the country has access to the capital they need to deploy clean technology projects.
Eligible Entities: Nonprofit financing institutions that meet certain eligibility criteria (See Section III of funding opportunity for eligibility information)
Deadline: PASSED
October 12, 2023
EPA National Clean Investment Fund – $14 billion
This GGRF grant competition for the National Clean Investment Fund (NCIF) will provide grants to support two-to-three national clean financing institutions, enabling them to partner with the private sector to provide accessible, affordable financing for tens of thousands of clean technology projects nationwide.
Eligible Entities: National nonprofit financing institutions that meet certain eligibility criteria (See Section III of funding opportunity for eligibility information)
Deadline: PASSED
October 12, 2023
Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Tribal Climate Resilience Annual Awards Program – $120 million
The BIA Branch of Tribal Climate Resilience (TCR) will make available approximately $120 million to federally-recognized Tribes and tribal organizations to increase climate adaptation and resilience capacity and support related Tribal planning and implementation efforts.
Eligible Entities: Tribes and Tribal organizations
Deadline: PASSED
October 13, 2023
2023 TCR Annual Awards solicitation
A recording of the FY2023 Annual Awards FAQ Webinar held on August 2, 2023 by the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) Tribes and Climate Change Program is available to view online.
EPA Tribal Support for E-Enterprise for the Environment, 2024-2029 –
EPA’s Office of E-Enterprise is offering $1 million in funding with the goal to support and enhance tribal participation in E-Enterprise by providing tribes necessary research, training, and technical assistance. The scope of work is broad and may involve supporting topics that relate to many environmental program areas including but not limited to air, climate, water, chemical safety, land clean-up and revitalization, enforcement and compliance, and environmental justice. EPA intends to award $1 million over 5-years to one recipient through a cooperative agreement.
Eligible Entities: Interstate, intrastate, states, local entities, public and private nonprofit institution/organization, federally recognized Tribal governments, U.S. territories and possessions, individuals/families
Deadline: PASSED
October 16, 2023
Informational Webinar: September 20, 2023, from 12:00-1:30pm CST. webinar for potential applicants using Zoom. Register for this webinar
Funding Announcement: EPA Tribal Support for E-Enterprise for the Environment, 2024-2029
USDA: REAP Grants & Guaranteed Loans
Rural Energy for America (REAP) guaranteed grants and loans of $2 billion over the next decade for rural ag producers and rural small businesses are now available (rural = population less than 50,000). Grants were increased through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to offset 40% of project costs and they cover both energy efficiency and renewable energy. Note: this does not cover residential farm energy projects (unless install second meter). Funding for underutilized renewable energy technologies for $303.8 million is included.
Due Date: PASSED
March 31, 2023, for Round 1 grants; for grants less than $20k and greater than $20k. $1million per applicant ceiling. Total $820 million available
Guaranteed loans on a continuous monthly cycle; up to $25 million per loan.
DOE Office of Indian Energy Powering Unelectrified Tribal Buildings – $15 million
Eligible Entities: Indian Tribes, which include Alaska Native Regional Corporations and Village Corporations, Intertribal Organizations, and Tribal Energy Development Organization
Through this funding opportunity, the Office of Indian Energy plans to deploy energy infrastructure or integrated energy system(s) to provide electricity to unelectrified Tribal buildings.
For more information, visit the funding opportunity.