{"status":200,"message":"Success","data":{"id":"6a196d99-2ece-55a8-84b3-8acc045fd466","title":"Higher Education Clean Energy Grant Program","description":"The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) offers competitive grants to Maryland's accredited two- and four-year colleges and universities to support solar installations, strategic sustainability and clean energy campus planning, clean energy curriculum development, and workforce training and student internships. The program aims to create energy-efficient campuses that serve as practical learning environments and hubs for renewable energy education and job creation. It supports adopting on-site renewable energy technologies, integrating strategic energy planning into operations and academic curricula, and advancing workforce development in the renewable energy sector. Funded from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund (SEIF), the program has a total anticipated budget of $8,000,000.","status":{"value":"custom","customValue":"Recurring"},"source":"http://energy.maryland.gov/Pages/HigherEducationCleanEnergy.aspx","funding":{"details":"Competitive grants totaling up to $8,000,000 from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund (SEIF), funded from sale of allowances under §2–1002(g) of the Environment Article. Maximum funding per application for solar installation is capped at $1,000,000. Solar installations funded at up to $2,500/kW (or $3,000/kW case-by-case) for applicant-purchased systems; up to $600/kW for 3rd-party-owned systems. For each applicant, maximum funding is $145,000 for campus clean energy master planning (first-time grantees only), $145,000 for clean energy sector course development, and $25,000 for student internships (up to $5,000/intern, max 5 interns). Award amounts in prior cycles ranged from $414,300 to $1,315,000. Applicants may submit one or more applications. Ineligible activities include fossil fuel, natural gas, or combustion technologies and expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure. Expected period of performance: 36–39 months beginning with the effective date of the executed grant agreement.","minAwardAmount":{"amount":"414300.00","currency":"USD"},"maxAwardAmount":{"amount":"1315000.00","currency":"USD"}},"keyDates":{"closeDate":{"name":"Application deadline","eventType":"singleDate","date":"2025-11-14","details":"November 14, 2025 at 3:00 P.M. EDT"}},"acceptedApplicantTypes":[{"value":"custom","customValue":"higher education institution"}],"customFields":{"agency":{"name":"agency","fieldType":"object","value":{"name":"Maryland Energy Administration"},"schema":"https://commongrants.org/custom-fields/agency"},"contactInfo":{"name":"contactInfo","fieldType":"object","value":{"name":"Kristen Keim","email":"Kristen.Keim@maryland.gov, schools.mea@maryland.gov","phone":"443-571-6976"},"schema":"https://commongrants.org/custom-fields/contactInfo"},"additionalInfo":{"name":"additionalInfo","fieldType":"object","value":{"url":"https://compass.maryland.gov/incentives/#/incentive/higher-education-clean-energy-grant-program","description":"Maryland Community Compass record"},"schema":"https://commongrants.org/custom-fields/additionalInfo"},"eligibilityCriteria":{"name":"eligibilityCriteria","fieldType":"object","value":{"beneficiaryTypes":[{"code":"higher_education_institution","name":"higher education institution"}],"details":"Maryland accredited two- and four-year colleges and universities (Institutions of Higher Education accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education). Community colleges located in census tracts with median income ≤80% of state median income, overburdened communities, and underserved communities receive special competitive consideration.\n\nStatewide — available to Maryland's accredited institutions of higher education. No county, municipality, or regional restrictions. Community colleges in census tracts with median income ≤80% of state median income, overburdened communities (census tracts where ≥3 environmental health indicators exceed 75th percentile statewide per Maryland Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022, Ch. 38), and underserved communities receive special competitive emphasis."},"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"attachments":{"name":"attachments","fieldType":"array","value":[{"downloadUrl":"http://energy.maryland.gov/SiteAssets/Pages/HigherEducationCleanEnergy/FY26%20Higher%20Education%20Clean%20Energy%20Grant%20Program%20FOA_%20Revised%201.pdf","name":"FY26 Higher Education Clean Energy Grant Program FOA_ Revised 1.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"http://energy.maryland.gov/SiteAssets/Pages/HigherEducationCleanEnergy/Higher%20Education%20Clean%20Energy%20Grant%20Project%20Budget.xlsx","name":"Higher Education Clean Energy Grant Project Budget.xlsx"},{"downloadUrl":"http://energy.maryland.gov/SiteAssets/Pages/HigherEducationCleanEnergy/FY26%20HECE%20Award%20Recipient%20List.pdf","name":"FY26 HECE Award Recipient List.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"http://energy.maryland.gov/SiteAssets/Pages/HigherEducationCleanEnergy/FY25%20Higher%20Ed%20Award%20List.pdf","name":"FY25 Higher Ed Award List.pdf"},{"downloadUrl":"http://energy.maryland.gov/SiteAssets/Pages/SchoolDecarbonization/Education%20Sector%20FY26%20Grant%20Program%20Directory.pdf","name":"Education Sector FY26 Grant Program Directory.pdf"}],"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"fundingSource":{"name":"fundingSource","fieldType":"string","value":"Public","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"fundingInstrument":{"name":"fundingInstrument","fieldType":"string","value":"grant; training","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"lastSyncedAt":{"name":"lastSyncedAt","fieldType":"string","value":"2026-10-17T08:01:11.292Z","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdCompassId":{"name":"mdCompassId","fieldType":"number","value":1525,"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdSlug":{"name":"mdSlug","fieldType":"string","value":"higher-education-clean-energy-grant-program","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdDataQuality":{"name":"mdDataQuality","fieldType":"string","value":"medium","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdGeographicScope":{"name":"mdGeographicScope","fieldType":"string","value":"statewide","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdAcceptingApplications":{"name":"mdAcceptingApplications","fieldType":"boolean","value":false,"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdRecurring":{"name":"mdRecurring","fieldType":"boolean","value":true,"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdAssistanceTypes":{"name":"mdAssistanceTypes","fieldType":"array","value":["grant","training"],"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdEligibleIndustries":{"name":"mdEligibleIndustries","fieldType":"array","value":["Educational Services","Any"],"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdEligibleCounties":{"name":"mdEligibleCounties","fieldType":"array","value":["All"],"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdEligibleOrganizationTypes":{"name":"mdEligibleOrganizationTypes","fieldType":"array","value":["higher education institution"],"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdApplicationDeadlineRaw":{"name":"mdApplicationDeadlineRaw","fieldType":"string","value":"November 14, 2025 at 3:00 P.M. EDT","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdApplicationProcess":{"name":"mdApplicationProcess","fieldType":"string","value":"Submit an electronic application via the MY MEA online portal with all required documents. A Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and Project Budget Table are available on the program page. For the FY26 cycle, a webinar was held on 09/09/2025. The FY26 application deadline was November 14, 2025 at 3:00 P.M. EDT. Contact MEA at Kristen.Keim@maryland.gov or schools.mea@maryland.gov for more information.","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdProgramAudience":{"name":"mdProgramAudience","fieldType":"string","value":"Maryland accredited two- and four-year colleges and universities (Institutions of Higher Education accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education). Community colleges located in census tracts with median income ≤80% of state median income, overburdened communities, and underserved communities receive special competitive consideration.","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdUseOfFunds":{"name":"mdUseOfFunds","fieldType":"string","value":"Solar system installations (roof/ground-mounted, canopies), Campus Clean Energy Master Plan development (first-time grantees), clean energy sector course development, student workforce training and internships, on-site renewable energy adoption, and strategic energy planning integration into operations and academic curricula. Courses designed to prepare students for NABCEP Associate and other renewable energy credentials are eligible. Ineligible uses include fossil fuel, natural gas, or combustion technologies, and expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure.","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdGeographicEligibility":{"name":"mdGeographicEligibility","fieldType":"string","value":"Statewide — available to Maryland's accredited institutions of higher education. No county, municipality, or regional restrictions. Community colleges in census tracts with median income ≤80% of state median income, overburdened communities (census tracts where ≥3 environmental health indicators exceed 75th percentile statewide per Maryland Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022, Ch. 38), and underserved communities receive special competitive emphasis.","schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdRequirements":{"name":"mdRequirements","fieldType":"array","value":["Applicant must be an accredited Maryland Institution of Higher Education","Must be accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education","Solar installation activity funding capped at $1,000,000 per application","Campus clean energy master planning capped at $145,000 per applicant (first-time grantees only)","Clean energy sector course development capped at $145,000 per applicant","Student internships capped at $25,000 per applicant (up to $5,000/intern, max 5 interns)","Applicants may submit one or more applications","Applicants submitting multiple applications in a funding cycle are only eligible for one Campus Clean Energy Master Plan (CCEMP) award","Applicants who were awarded funding under the FY2025 Higher Education Clean Energy program must comply with any prior grant agreement requirements before receiving new awards","First-time applicants submitting multiple applications in FY2026 are subject to specific CCEMP requirements","Applicants who received funding for course development in a previous funding cycle are subject to restrictions on repeat course development funding","Fossil fuel, natural gas, combustion technologies, and expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure are ineligible activities","Signed IRS Form W9, Authorization Letter signed by applicant's Authorized Representative, and complete Budget required for application submission","MEA will not accept any application packages after the deadline under any circumstances","For solar installations requiring competitive procurement, evidence of competitive procurement process must be provided; for non-competitive procurement, appropriate justification must be provided","Complete budget showing full costs for solar installation(s) and all additional requested activities required","A site map exhibiting the location of the system on the property required for solar applications","Output(s) from a Solar Energy Calculator (e.g., NREL PVWatts Calculator, PVsyst, or equivalent) documenting expected energy production required for solar applications","A basic electrical schematic (one-line diagram) of the facility's electrical system required for solar applications","A prospective schedule and plan for campus design and construction of the solar installation required","For purchased systems: calculate and provide the simple payback period; for 3rd-party-owned systems: provide equivalent financial documentation","For first-time grantees: a prospective schedule and plan for CCEMP development and a brief narrative (no more than two pages) describing anticipated scope required","For course development: Workforce Development Plan (narrative, no more than two pages), Educational Program Implementation description, and Community Engagement Plan required","For course development: documentation that the applicant actively teaches (has offered at least one relevant course) required","Eligible courses include those designed to prepare students for NABCEP Associate and other renewable energy credentials, support students in a renewable energy related field, support bachelor and graduate level programs, and prepare students to become solar installers","MSI applicants: documentation that the applicant is recognized as a U.S. Department of Education Minority Serving Institution required","Student Internship Utilization narrative (no more than one page) required for internship funding requests","Identification of a staff person responsible for overseeing continuation of grant activities required","Quarterly progress reports and invoices must be submitted to MEA during the grant period","Final close-out report outlining progress and identification of next steps required at grant conclusion","Grant administration costs (salaries/wages for administrative staff, supplies for program administration, cost allocation plans) are allowable as direct costs where applicable","MEA will not disburse grant funds unless otherwise specified conditions in the Grant Agreement are met"],"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdSourceUrls":{"name":"mdSourceUrls","fieldType":"array","value":["http://energy.maryland.gov/Pages/HigherEducationCleanEnergy.aspx"],"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"mdSourceCount":{"name":"mdSourceCount","fieldType":"number","value":1,"schema":"https://md.api.cg.a6lab.ai/docs"},"stateCode":{"name":"stateCode","fieldType":"string","value":"MD","description":"USPS code of the state whose agency offers this funding","schema":"https://opengrants.io/common-grants/schemas/state-portal-v1.json"},"agencyKey":{"name":"agencyKey","fieldType":"string","value":"mea","description":"Portal key of the administering agency","schema":"https://opengrants.io/common-grants/schemas/state-portal-v1.json"},"agencyAbbrev":{"name":"agencyAbbrev","fieldType":"string","value":"MEA","description":"Administering agency abbreviation","schema":"https://opengrants.io/common-grants/schemas/state-portal-v1.json"},"upstreamSource":{"name":"upstreamSource","fieldType":"string","value":"maryland","description":"Upstream CommonGrants API this record is read from (src/data/state-portals/upstreams.json)","schema":"https://opengrants.io/common-grants/schemas/state-portal-v1.json"},"bindingMode":{"name":"bindingMode","fieldType":"string","value":"upstream","description":"Read from an upstream CommonGrants API; 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