Reducing Industrial Sector Emissions in Pennsylvania (RISE PA) Grant Program

The RISE PA Small Award Track (SAT) grant program is administered by PennTAP, a technical assistance initiative housed at The Pennsylvania State University. The program is part of a broader statewide effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, strengthen industrial competitiveness, and support economic growth across Pennsylvania’s manufacturing sector. By investing in emissions-reducing technologies and process improvements, RISE PA aims to contribute to large-scale environmental impact while supporting job creation and modernization within small and mid-sized manufacturing facilities. The primary purpose of the SAT grant program is to fund implementation projects that directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions within industrial operations. Eligible projects must demonstrate measurable emissions reductions through a defined set of strategies, including industrial electrification, energy efficiency improvements, process emissions reductions, fuel switching to low-carbon alternatives, on-site renewable energy generation, carbon capture utilization and storage, and reduction of fugitive emissions. These investments are intended to accelerate adoption of advanced technologies and improve sustainability performance in manufacturing. The program will distribute a total of forty million dollars in funding between 2025 and 2029, with awards issued across multiple competitive rounds. Each project must fall within a total cost range of fifty thousand to one million dollars, with base grants covering up to fifty percent of total project costs and capped at five hundred thousand dollars per award. Funding is provided on a cost-reimbursement basis through subaward agreements issued by The Pennsylvania State University, which retains oversight responsibility and enforces compliance with state and federal requirements, including those from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Eligibility is restricted primarily to small and mid-sized manufacturing facilities located in Pennsylvania with fewer than five hundred employees at the site where the project will occur. The facility must be actively engaged in manufacturing processes involving the transformation of materials into finished or semi-finished goods. While property managers may apply on behalf of a facility, the ultimate recipient must be the manufacturing entity. Additional requirements include documented support from senior leadership, clearly defined project roles and responsibilities, and compliance with federal entity identification requirements such as obtaining a Unique Entity Identifier. The application process requires completion of a technical assessment prior to submission. Applicants must work with PennTAP or a qualified third-party assessor to produce a Technical Assessment Report evaluating the proposed project. Supporting documentation includes twelve consecutive months of utility data, project cost estimates, financial commitment documentation, and engineering or technical specifications. The application also requires emissions calculations demonstrating baseline conditions and projected reductions. A structured preparation timeline is recommended, beginning up to twelve weeks prior to submission and including stages for documentation gathering, assessment completion, and final application assembly. Applications are accepted through multiple cycles each year, with three anticipated rounds annually throughout the program period. For example, Round 4 is open through August 17, 2026. Applicants must submit all required materials by the deadline and ensure that all eligibility conditions are met, including completion of the technical assessment. Awards are made following review of project feasibility, emissions reduction potential, and completeness of application materials. The program is expected to continue recurring annually through 2029, providing ongoing opportunities for eligible manufacturers to participate.

Ensure technical assessment is completed early; provide complete emissions reduction calculations; secure leadership commitment and financial documentation before applying