Featured Funding Resources
Green Buildings Design and Construction Assistance Grant
The Renewable Energy Trust, administered by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC), invites applications for its Design and Construction Assistance Grants. The grants support the costs, up to $500,000 per project, of eligible renewable energy technologies, and related renewable energy and energy efficiency features, in new green building construction or major renovation or rehabilitation projects. Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis in bi-annual rounds in order to accommodate differing construction schedules that may exist among potential applicants. The next grant round ends March 18, 2005.
Green Communities Initiative
Green Communities is a five-year, $550 million fund to build more than 8,500 homes across the country that provide significant health, economic and environmental benefits to low-income families and communities. This groundbreaking effort is a partnership of The Enterprise Foundation and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), along with the American Institute of Architects, the American Planning Association and leading corporate, financial and philanthropic organizations. Over time, Green Communities will transform the way Americans think about, locate, design and build affordable homes.
The Green Communities Initiative offers incentives for developers to build or rehabilitate affordable green housing. The Initiative was announced on Sept. 28, 2004. Detailed grant guidelines are now available.
California Energy Commission Funding for Zero-Energy Homes
The California Energy Commission (CEC) is encouraging the construction of energy-efficient solar homes. The CEC issued a request for proposals September 13, 2004 that aims to support research and development to encourage market adoption of so-called "zero-energy homes" -- homes that generate as much energy as they use over the course of a year. The CEC intends to provide up to $10 million to develop zero-energy homes that integrate the best available energy efficiency measures and solar power designs with effective business models to reduce the cost of the homes. Proposals are due by November 8th.
California Emerging Renewables Rebate Program
The California Energy Commission is offering cash rebates on eligible renewable energy electric-generating systems through its Emerging Renewables Program. The program provides rebates to consumers who install qualifying renewable energy systems. The financial incentive may vary according to the system size, technology and installation method. Affordable housing projects may qualify for an extra 25 percent rebate above the standard rebate. Photovoltaics, small wind turbines, fuel cells and solar thermal electricity systems may be eligible.
Notice: Beginning October 1, 2003 all applications for Federal grants or cooperative agreements will be required to include a Dun and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering Systems (DUNS) number. A DUNS number can be obtained, at no cost, by calling the toll-free DUNS Number request line at 1-866-705-5711 or accessing the D&B Web site at www.dnb.com. According to the Web site, it could take up to 30 days to receive your DUNS number. For complete details of this new requirement see Federal Register, Volume 68, No. 124, Friday, June 27, 2003/Notices, pages 38402-38405.
Recent Awards
U.S. Department of Energy Awards $20.4 Million to 13 Building Efficiency Projects
Industry partners will contribute more than $10 million to the projects, bringing the total investment to more than $30 million. The three-year projects will aim to develop advanced technologies for lighting systems, windows, water heaters, and air conditioning systems.
PATH Resources
PATH Grants
The National Science Foundation requests proposals for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Partnership for Advancing Technologies in Housing (PATH). Areas of interest are: 1) Construction Management and Production; 2) Structural Design and Materials; 3) Building Enclosures, Energy, and Indoor Air Quality; 4) Community and Economic Impacts of Housing Technology; and 5) Systems Interactions and Whole House Approaches. Proposals are due April 19, 2005.
NSF-PATH Awards
The NSF is PATH's primary link to academic research. NSF-PATH Program Awards provide funding to spur innovative background research, a key component to technology development.
Grants, Incentives and Other Opportunities
Energy Efficient Mortgages (EEMs)
Special benefits used at time of sale or refinance to qualify for a larger mortgage loan if the home to be purchased or refinanced is energy efficient.
Incentives for Insulation
Web site by the Association for Better Insulation. You can sign up to receive information about Government programs in your area that help pay for insulation upgrades.
Residential Energy Efficiency Database
Use this simple tool to find out what energy efficiency programs your utility and/or state offers to help you save energy and money.
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
Federal program that provides approximately $1 billion annually to American small businesses for early-stage R&D projects.
Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR)
Joint program of the National Science Foundation and several U.S. states and territories to promote the development of states' science and technology resources through partnerships involving universities, industry, government, and the Federal R&D enterprise.
DOE's Invention and Innovation Program
Provides financial assistance for establishing technical performance and conducting early development of innovations and inventions.
Grant Opportunities for Academic Liaison with Industry (GOALI)
Initiative to synergize university-industry partnerships.
Crosscutting Programs at NSF
These include interdisciplinary programs, programs that are supported by multiple Directorates at NSF, and programs jointly supported by NSF and other Federal agencies. This site lists programs and funding opportunities.
Local Initiatives Support Corp.
List of funding resources compiled by LISC.
Expired Solicitations
Innovation and Technology Research Grants
The Department of Energy has issued its 2004 solicitation for the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy is seeking grant applications for research in lighting technologies, sensors and controls, innovative waste heat recovery methods, materials and components for solar energy systems, and other areas. Closing date is January 6, 2004.
Community Development and Affordable Housing Fellowships
The Fannie Mae Foundation is seeking nominations for professionals in community development and affordable housing to serve as Johnson Fellows. The program's chief goals are to: recognize and reward individual dedication and contribution to the affordable housing and community development fields; increase leadership and professional development of the Fellows, which will positively affect their neighborhoods and communities; foster opportunities for new solutions to affordable housing and community development challenges; and inform the affordable housing and community development knowledge base and influence long-term strategies in the field. The Johnson fellowship provides each fellow with a $70,000 grant and a stipend of up to $20,000 for travel and education-related expenses. The deadline for nominations is December 31, 2003.
Environmental Protection Agency National Brownfields Grants
EPA is accepting proposals for national brownfields assessment, revolving loan fund and cleanup grants. These grants are part of the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act to help states and communities around the country clean up and revitalize Brownfield sites. The brownfields assessment grants (each funded up to $200,000 over two years) provide funding for a grant recipient to inventory, characterize, assess, and conduct planning and community involvement related to brownfield sites. The brownfields revolving loan fund grants (each funded up to $1,000,000 over five years) provide funding for a grant recipient to capitalize a revolving loan fund and to provide subgrants to carry out cleanup activities at brownfield sites that are owned by the subgrant recipient. The brownfields cleanup grants (each funded up to $200,000 over two years) provide funding for a grant recipient to carry out cleanup activities at brownfield sites that are owned by the grant recipient. The deadline for proposals is December 4, 2003.
U.S. Department of Energy Research, Development, and Demonstration of Micro CHP Residential Systems
The Office of Distributed Energy and Electric Reliability Program (DEER), of the Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, is soliciting applications for Research, Development and Demonstration (RD&D) projects that will advance the integration of energy-efficient technologies in residential Micro-Cooling, Heating, and Power (CHP) applications. Applications are November 24, 2003.
Fannie Mae Foundation Fellowships
The Fannie Mae Foundation, in partnership with the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, is offering the Fannie Mae Foundation Fellowship Program. Since 1996, the Foundation has annually sponsored up to 35 fellowships for senior managers and officials in the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government (State and Local program
). The program is intended to enhance the management and decision-making skills of accomplished leaders experienced in managing housing and community development programs. The deadline for submitting applications for the February 2004 session is November 1, 2003.
State Technologies Advancement Collaborative (STAC)
The collaborative is offering $2.6 million for energy efficiency projects proposed by qualified state entities. The four program areas of interest include Building Technologies, Industrial Technologies, Transportation Technologies, and Distributed Energy Resources. Buildings Technologies include projects that will improve the performance of residential HVAC systems, optimize the energy efficiency and other performance characteristics of commercial building energy systems through improved commissioning technologies and strategies and improve the efficiency and environmental performance of residentialfoundation systems used by production builders. STAC was formed in November 2002, and this is the collaborative's first solicitation. Proposals are due by September 10, 2003.
The American Water Works Association Research Foundation RFPs
The AWWA Research Foundation solicited proposal process occurs annually between March and July. The foundation also accepts proposals through a Tailored Collaboration program and an Unsolicited Program.
Million Solar Roofs Initiative Small Grant Program
The U.S. Department of Energy is announcing its intention to solicit applications from State and Local Partnerships under the Million Solar Roofs (MSR) Program. DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy will consider proposals from interested State and Local Partnerships to help fund their MSR program development and implementation activities. There are two types of grants available: Phase 1--New Partnership grants, and Phase 2--Meeting the Commitment grants. DOE will fund up to $50,000 per project. DOE anticipates funding approximately 30 to 40 grants in the amount of $10,000 to $50,000 each. Proposals are due July 8, 2003.
U.S. Department of Energy - Sensors, Controls, Telemetry
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Idaho Operations Office (ID) is seeking applications for cost-shared research, development and demonstration of innovative sensor, control, automation and wireless technologies that will reduce energy consumption, minimize environmental impacts, and enhance economic competitiveness in U.S. industrial manufacturing. This solicitation addresses two separate topics: 1.Crosscutting sensors and controls, 2.Industrial wireless telemetry. Proposals are due March 31, 2003.
U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficient Building Equipment and Envelope Technologies
Through this solicitation, the Department of Energy seeks applications on behalf of the Office of Building Technology Programs in DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy for innovative technologies that have the potential for significant energy savings in residential and commercial buildings. DOE is seeking to support projects that are advancing energy efficient equipment, envelope and whole building technologies. The research and development areas of interest are as follows: Whole Buildings - Building Performance and Zero Energy; Lighting - Light Sources and Ballasts, Lighting Controls, Luminaries and Distribution Systems, and Lighting Impacts; Space Conditioning Equipment - Energy Conversion Efficiency, and Distribution, Storage, Control and System Integration; Building Envelope - Building Materials and Envelope Systems, and Windows; and Appliances. Solicitation estimated to be released on or about February 28, 2003.
California Energy Innovations Small Grant Program
Provides up to $80,000 to small businesses, non-profits, individuals, and academic institutions to conduct research that establishes the feasibility of new, innovative energy concepts. Proposals due January 31, 2003.
Content updated on 3/10/2005