Application Notes:

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on August 15, 2025.

Applications must be submitted online at www.ecivis.com/grants.gov or www.ecivis.com/grantsolutions.gov. 

Applications must include:

• SF 424
• SF 424A/SF 424C (as applicable)
• SF 424B/SF 424D (as applicable)
• SF 429 (if applicable)
• SF LLL (if applicable)
• Project abstract summary
• Cover letter
• Project narrative
• Budget and budget narrative
• Most recently negotiated rate agreement (if applicable)
• Conflict of interest and unresolved matters disclosure
• Overlap or duplication of effort statement

The following are required in order to submit an application:

• Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number
• SAM (System for Award Management) registration

Applicants may obtain a UEI number and verify or renew SAM registration status at www.ecivis.com/sam.

Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Goals and objectives (25 percent)
• Project description and implementation plan (40 percent)
• Environmental considerations (15 percent)
• Roles, responsibilities, resources, and capabilities (10 percent)
• Project support (10 percent)

Refer to the NOFA file for additional application information.

Match Notes:

Matching funds are not required for this program; however, applicants should detail any nonfederal cost share and/or third-party contributions in the application.

For grid/feasibility studies, deployment of energy and power generation/transmission projects, and thermal and energy storage systems, applicants must demonstrate that the chosen technology has financing available from private-sector organizations.

Funding Notes:

Approximately $15.25 million is available to support an estimated 20 awards through this program.

Funds will be provided on a reimbursement basis.

The project period is anticipated to begin on October 1, 2025, and end on September 30, 2028.

Funds may not be used to fund the salaries of local, existing employees, but may be utilized to provide temporary, short-term expertise from contractors or consultants to help carry out the project if approved in the proposed budget.

Funds may not be used for:

• Supplanting local funding for routine operating expenses of an insular government or organization
• Annual operation and maintenance (O&M) costs over the life of the project
• Projects that are contrary to the Administration's Energy Dominance policies under the Department of the Interior Secretary's Order No. 3418, "Unleashing American Energy," which implements Executive Order 14154, "Unleashing American Energy"

For FY 2023, a total of $15,935,439 was distributed via 23 awards ranging from $55,000 to $3 million through this program. Refer to the Award file for details.

July 9, 2025
A revised solicitation for this program has been released and attached as the NOFA file.