Grants for Small businesses - Energy

This funding opportunity supports researchers and innovators developing groundbreaking technologies to reduce reliance on critical minerals in clean energy solutions, promoting sustainable alternatives and recycling methods.

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 program provides funding to Massachusetts-based clean technology startups and academic institutions for projects that advance innovations in areas like high performance buildings, clean transportation, offshore wind, and net zero grid technologies.

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 funding opportunity provides financial support to domestic entities that own or operate coal-fired power plants, enabling them to recommission, modernize, or retrofit their facilities to enhance grid reliability and support energy needs in rural communities.

This grant provides financial assistance to Maui-based businesses impacted by the recent wildfires, helping them cover essential expenses like rent, utilities, and inventory replacement.

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.

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 program provides financial assistance to property owners and business tenants in Downtown Kearney, Nebraska, for upgrading and restoring commercial buildings to eliminate blight and enhance the area's economic and visual appeal.

This challenge invites engineers and materials innovators worldwide to create a cost-effective, corrosion-resistant lining for flow meters used in harsh industrial environments, with the potential for significant monetary awards and collaboration opportunities with a leading automation company.

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.

The purpose of this solicitation is to fund applied research to increase California’s hydropower generation through precipitation enhancement (cloud seeding). Research funded by this solicitation will foster cost-effective, robust approaches to manage anticipated needs for zero-carbon, fast-ramping resources in the context of a rapidly evolving energy system and climate change.; The proposed research contributes to implementation of the Electric Program Investment Charge (EPIC) 2021-2025 Investment Plan and responds to the strategic objective: “Inform California's Transition to an Equitable, Zero-Carbon Energy System that is Climate-Resilient and Meets Environmental Goals” (Chapter 7). Specifically, this solicitation supports the topic 44 within the Climate Resilience Initiative: “Integrating Climate Resilience in Electricity System Planning.” Hydroelectric power is an important source of zero-carbon, dispatchable power in California. It is a critical element of the state’s electricity system and in-state generation, providing peaking reserve, spinning reserve, and load following capacity, as well as transmission line support (Somani, et al., 2021). The percentage of the state’s electricity supplied by hydropower varies, as hydropower resources are strongly dependent on magnitude and timing of snowmelt runoff and rainfall. Between 2012 and 2021, hydropower (including in-state generation and imports) provided an average of 9 percent of California’s total energy mix (California Energy Commission 2022). As the state continues to contend with drought and other climate-driven impacts on water and hydropower resource availability, as well as develop more sustainable water management practices (California Water Action Plan, 2014), the proposed research will support opportunities for increasing and sustaining hydropower generation. Specifically, the research will contribute to more effective precipitation enhancement (cloud seeding) strategies.

This grant provides funding to organizations focused on capturing and reusing methane emissions from coal mines in Southwest Virginia, promoting environmental sustainability and economic development in the region.