Funding Guidance
America’s Federal Funding Opportunities and Resources for Decarbonization
This tool is primarily intended to streamline state, local, non-profit, and community efforts to increase understanding of eligible funding, tax credits, and other incentives relevant to your project, goals, and community. The tool focuses on decarbonization efforts, including electricity, transportation, buildings, and resilient energy systems. It does not exhaustively capture federal resources for other topics. Use the filters below to sort available funding sources automatically and focus on the funding sources relevant to your project, goals, and community. Then use the compare feature to select up to 4 programs most relevant to review side-by-side.
Updates
The AFFORD tool will be updated on a monthly basis until otherwise noted. This version of AFFORD was last updated in January 2024.
Learn More
For more information on the AFFORD tool, check out our Funding Guidance. Contact Matthew Popkin (mpopkin@rmi.org) or Alex Dane (alex.dane@wri.org) with any questions or feedback.
Displaying 8 out of 263 Funding Opportunities
| New or Existing | Program Name | Purpose | Agency | Sub-Department | Eligibility Requirements | Matching | Funding Available | Max Award | Expected Allocations | Average Award | Deadline | Decarbonization Considerations | Equity Considerations | Helpful Tips | Other Notes | Only for Federal Emergency Declaration? | Webpage |
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| New - IRA |
Clean Communities Investment Accelerator
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To support hub nonprofits that will provide funding and technical assistance to specific industry networks of public, quasi-public, not-for-profit, and nonprofit community lenders, supporting the goal that every community in the country has access to the capital they need to deploy clean technology projects in their homes, small businesses, schools, and community institutions. | Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | Office of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (OGGRF) | Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations that is designed to provide capital, leverage private capital, and provide other forms of financial assistance for the rapid deployment of low- and zero-emission products, technologies, and services. | Not required | $6,000,000,000 | N/A | 2-7 | N/A | October 12, 2023 | The three priority project categories are distributed energy generation and storage, net zero-emissions buildings, and zero-emissions transportation. Consider how to provide financial assistant to integrated efforts, such as using distributed energy generation and storage to supply electricity for buildings and EV charging stations. | Applications must include a program budget that allocates at least 40% of grant funds for the purposes of providing financial assistance in low-income and disadvantaged communities. Consider partnering with community-based organizations to develop strategies and plans to improve community engagement and streamline project deployment. | N/A | The National Clean Investment Fund and Clean Communities Investment Accelerator will work in tandem to deploy much-needed capital for clean technologies into communities across the country. The National Clean Investment Fund will create centralized, long-term financing institutions with the scale required to transform financial markets, while the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator will build the capacity of community lenders to draw on that capital to catalyze deployment of projects in communities all across the country—especially in communities that have long faced barriers accessing capital and that most need the benefits of clean technology projects. See the list of awardees here: https://www.epa.gov/greenhouse-gas-reduction-fund/clean-communities-investment-accelerator | No | https://www.epa.gov/greenhouse-gas-reduction-fund/clean-communities-investment-accelerator |
| New - IRA |
Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) - Planning
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To (1) tackle damaging climate pollution while supporting the creation of good jobs and lowering energy costs for families, (2) accelerate work to address environmental injustice and empower community-driven solutions in overburdened neighborhoods, and (3) deliver cleaner air by reducing harmful air pollution in places where people live, work, play, and go to school. | Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) | Funding is available for states (including District of Columbia and Puerto Rico), local governments, territories, and Tribal communities. Entities included in, or covered by, such plans will be eligible to apply for implementation funding. | Not required | $250,000,000 | N/A | N/A | $3,000,000 for state planning; $1,000,0000 for metropolitan statistical area (MSA) planning | March 31, 2023 (states); April 28, 2023 (MSAs) | Planning grant recipients can use funding to design climate action plans that incorporate a variety of measures to reduce GHG emissions from across their economies in 6 key sectors (electricity generation, industry, transportation, buildings, agriculture/natural and working lands, and waste management). | Consider prioritizing projects that are located in economically and environmentally distressed communities and maximize the long-term benefits for residents of the region. Local governments are encouraged to integrate community benefits into project scopes and milestones. | Municipal departments/agencies are encouraged to work together to develop comprehensive emission reduction plans. Consider leveraging private investment to expand efforts. EPA encourages eligible entities to develop or, where applicable, revise their existing climate plans consistent with programmatic priorities. Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact EPA prior to submitting applications. | EPA will award planning grants in July-August 2023. | https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/climate-pollution-reduction-grants#CPRGProgramGuidance | |
| New |
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Competitive Program
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To directly invest in projects that develop, promote, implement, and manage energy efficiency and conservation, including clean energy. | Department of Energy (DOE) | Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP) | Eligible entities include only those US local governments and Indian Tribes that are ineligible for the EECBG formula grant. | Not required | $8,800,000 | $2,000,000 | 10 to 20 | $586,667 | June 5, 2023 (Concept Paper); August 7, 2023 (Full Application) | Consider using funds to enhance or enable innovative energy financing strategies that spread project costs out over time or capture additional incentives. These may be more complex, but can often extend the impact - bill savings and energy savings were at least 2X higher in the original EECBG program than other efforts when EECBG funds were utilized for more ambitious and/or "complex" financial incentive programs. | EECBG can help provide technical assistance to assist disadvantaged communities who lack the capacity or resources to put forward competitive applications. | For additional information on past program use, how EECBG funding was used to accelerate partners, and case studies, check out: http://www.usmayors.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/0227-report-eecbgsurvey.pdf | For additional information on past program use, how EECBG funding was used to accelerate partners, and case studies, check out: http://www.usmayors.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/0227-report-eecbgsurvey.pdf See past awardees here: https://www.energy.gov/scep/energy-efficiency-and-conservation-block-grant-eecbg-program-competitive-awards | No | https://www.energy.gov/scep/energy-efficiency-and-conservation-block-grant-program-competitive-funding-announcement |
| Existing - IIJA Increase |
Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG)
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To directly invest in or provide technical assistance vouchers for projects that develop, promote, implement, and manage energy efficiency and conservation, including clean energy. | Department of Energy (DOE) | Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE) | Cities, towns and villages with a population of at least 35,000 are eligible for this formula funding; at a minimum, the ten largest cities in each state, including Puerto Rico, regardless of population, are eligible to apply; all other cities, villages, and towns can apply for EECBG funds or technical assistance through their state. | Not required | $550,000,000 | Varies | All eligible recipients of formula funding | Varies by municipality | Pre-Application Information Sheet and State and territory applications are due ASAP. Full applications for local governments and Tribal communities are due by April 30, 2024. | Consider using funds to enhance or enable innovative energy financing strategies that spread project costs out over time or capture additional incentives. These may be more complex, but can often extend the impact - bill savings and energy savings were at least 2X higher in the original EECBG program than other efforts when EECBG funds were utilized for more ambitious and/or "complex" financial incentive programs. | EECBG can help provide technical assistance to assist disadvantaged communities who lack the capacity or resources to put forward competitive applications. | As an alternative to traditional grants, DOE will providing Local and Tribal governments with the option to apply for vouchers to receive technical assistance and/or equipment rebates. Vouchers provide a streamlined application process with fewer administrative requirements and allow Local and Tribal governments to take advantage of customized technical expertise or get reimbursed for eligible equipment. Eligible entities may choose to use a voucher or a grant, but not both. Voucher applicants do NOT need to follow the grant application process. More information about voucher applications has been released! See the EECBG Program Formula Grant Application Hub for the Voucher Handbook and Voucher Application Templates. For more information on the Biden Administration's current approach for EECBG, see this October 2023 announcement: https://www.energy.gov/articles/biden-harris-administration-announces-30-million-clean-energy-funding-28-state-local-and | For additional information on past program use, how EECBG funding was used to accelerate partners, and case studies, check out: http://www.usmayors.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/0227-report-eecbgsurvey.pdf | No | https://www.energy.gov/eere/wipo/energy-efficiency-and-conservation-block-grant-program |
| Existing - IRA Increase |
Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking program (EJ TCGM)
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To reduce barriers to the federal grants application process communities face and increase the efficiency of the awards process for environmental justice grants. Eligible activities include but are not limited to project development, blueprints for construction or cleanup projects, schematics, and technical development, work to get permits in place directly related to an environmental project, smaller land purchases and acquisitions, implementation of project plans, and public outreach and education. | Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights (OEJECR) | Eligible applicants are community-based nonprofit organizations and partnerships with them. Note that there are both grantmaker awards and subrecipients of grants. Eligible subrecipients include non-profit organizations, community-based organizations, Tribal governments, Native American organizations, local governments, institutions of higher education, territories, and Freely Associated States. | Not required | $550,000,000 | $50,000,000 | 11 | $50,000,000 | June 30, 2023 | Grants can be used to plan community-wide residential home retrofit projects that promote energy-efficient homes to help residents save energy bills, lower carbon emissions, and live healthier lives. Besides, consider using this grant to plan cleanup projects and help transition brownfields to brightfields: developing community solar farms to supply clean energy to the community. | This opportunity will help transform disadvantaged and underserved communities into healthy, thriving communities capable of addressing the environmental and public health challenges they have historically faced, as well as current and future challenges. Applications are required to describe how the proposed project will ensure the process to be accessible to underserved communities, communities in urban, remote and rural areas, and community stakeholders with the highest degree of burden and capacity constraints. | EPA will make awards to up to 11 Grantmakers that coordinate nationwide coverage to provide support and funding opportunities to Eligible Subrecipients. Subgrants include: Phase I assessment proejcts up to $150,000, Phase II planning projects up to $250,000, and Phase III development projects up to $350,000. Subgrant applications will be posted in Fall 2024. | EPA plans to award approximately 10 Regional Grantmaker awards and one nationwide award to a National Grantmaker who will provide coordination services for the Regional Grantmakers and fill gaps in coverage. Applicants can submit up to two applications as long as each application is for a different Geographic Area, which can be a EPA Region or National Geographic Area. See selected applications here: https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-12/2023-environmental-justice-thriving-communities-grantmaking-program-selectees.pdf | No | https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/environmental-justice-thriving-communities-grantmaking-program |
| New - IRA |
Methane Emissions Reduction Program
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To provide financial and technical assistance to accelerate the reduction of methane and other greenhouse gas emissions from petroleum and natural gas systems. The statute also establishes a waste emissions charge for applicable facilities that report more than 25,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent per year (to the petroleum and natural gas systems source category of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program) and that exceed statutorily specified waste emissions thresholds. | Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | Office of Air and Radiation (OAR) | States, Counties, Cities/Townships, Special Districts, Territories, Tribal Governments (federally recognized), Tribal Governments (other than federally recognized), Public Higher Education Institutions, Private Higher Education Institutions, Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) Status, Small Businesses, Businesses (other than small businesses), and Individuals all may qualify | Not required | $350,000,000 | $101,554,542 | 30 | $11,666,667 | Additional funding expected in 2024; NOI for additional funding has been released. | May be used for a variety of activities to reduce methane emissions including providing funding for financial and technical assistance for preparing and submitting greenhouse gas reports, monitoring methane emissions, and reducing methane and other greenhouse gas emissions from petroleum and natural gas systems, including improving and deploying equipment to reduce emissions, supporting innovation, permanently shutting in and plugging wells, mitigating health effects in low income and disadvantaged communities, improving climate resiliency, and supporting environmental restoration. | See the "Equity Design Considerations for Federal Funding" for general considerations and additional sector-based resources: https://cityrenewables.org/resources/equity-design-considerations-for-federal-funding/ | Methane leaks across the supply chain increase the emissions of natural gas by releasing a highly potent greenhouse gas. Unintentional releases of methane into the atmosphere come from the malfunctioning of gas field equipment like well pads, valves, and compressor stations. Catastrophic failures, like well blowouts can pump hundreds of tons of methane into the atmosphere for weeks or months. The same goes for gas pipelines. Learn more here to inform your application and project: https://rmi.org/reality-check-natural-gas-true-climate-risk/ | The program specifies that at least $700 million must be used for activities at marginal conventional wells. | No | https://www.epa.gov/inflation-reduction-act/methane-emissions-reduction-program |
| New - IRA |
National Clean Investment Fund
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To fund national nonprofit clean financing institutions capable of partnering with the private sector to provide accessible, affordable financing for clean technology projects. | Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | Office of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (OGGRF) | Eligible applicants are nonprofit organizations that is designed to provide capital, leverage private capital, and provide other forms of financial assistance for the rapid deployment of low- and zero-emission products, technologies, and services. | Not required | $13,970,000,000 | $13,970,000,000 | 3 | $4,656,666,667 | October 12, 2023 | The three priority project categories are distributed energy generation and storage, net zero-emissions buildings, and zero-emissions transportation. Consider how to provide financial assistant to integrated efforts, such as using distributed energy generation and storage to supply electricity for buildings and EV charging stations. | Applications must include a program budget that allocates at least 40% of grant funds for the purposes of providing financial assistance in low-income and disadvantaged communities. Consider partnering with community-based organizations to develop strategies and plans to improve community engagement and streamline project deployment. | N/A | The National Clean Investment Fund and Clean Communities Investment Accelerator will work in tandem to deploy much-needed capital for clean technologies into communities across the country. The National Clean Investment Fund will create centralized, long-term financing institutions with the scale required to transform financial markets, while the Clean Communities Investment Accelerator will build the capacity of community lenders to draw on that capital to catalyze deployment of projects in communities all across the country—especially in communities that have long faced barriers accessing capital and that most need the benefits of clean technology projects. | https://www.epa.gov/greenhouse-gas-reduction-fund/national-clean-investment-fund | |
| New - IIJA |
Orphaned Well Site Plugging, Remediation, and Reclamation Program Phase 1 Formula Grant
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To monitor, track, plug, remediate, and reclaim orphaned wells State-owned or privately-owned land | Department of the Interior | Orphaned Wells Program Office | States must have submitted an LOI by December 2021 to be considered for Phase 1 formula funding. | Not required | $658,037,849 | $79,673,757 | 26 | $25,000,000 | December 31, 2023 | Funding can be used to measure and track emissions of methane and other gases associated with orphaned wells | Funding can be used to identify and address any disproportionate burden of adverse human health or environmental effects of orphaned wells on communities of color, lowincome communities, and Tribal and indigenous communities. | Funding must be used within 5 years. | There are 3 types of grants for states under the Orphaned Well Program: (1) initial grants, (2) formula grants, and (3) performance grants. Initial grants have already been distributed. | No | https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/state-formula-grant-guidance-07.07.2023.pdf |
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To support hub nonprofits that will provide funding and technical assistance to specific industry networks of public, quasi-public, not-for-profit, and nonprofit community lenders, supporting the goal that every community in the country has access to the capital they need to deploy clean technology projects in their homes, small businesses, schools, and community institutions.Compare
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To (1) tackle damaging climate pollution while supporting the creation of good jobs and lowering energy costs for families, (2) accelerate work to address environmental injustice and empower community-driven solutions in overburdened neighborhoods, and (3) deliver cleaner air by reducing harmful air pollution in places where people live, work, play, and go to school.Compare
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To directly invest in projects that develop, promote, implement, and manage energy efficiency and conservation, including clean energy.Compare
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To directly invest in or provide technical assistance vouchers for projects that develop, promote, implement, and manage energy efficiency and conservation, including clean energy.Compare
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To reduce barriers to the federal grants application process communities face and increase the efficiency of the awards process for environmental justice grants. Eligible activities include but are not limited to project development, blueprints for construction or cleanup projects, schematics, and technical development, work to get permits in place directly related to an environmental project, smaller land purchases and acquisitions, implementation of project plans, and public outreach and education.Compare
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To provide financial and technical assistance to accelerate the reduction of methane and other greenhouse gas emissions from petroleum and natural gas systems. The statute also establishes a waste emissions charge for applicable facilities that report more than 25,000 metric tons of CO2 equivalent per year (to the petroleum and natural gas systems source category of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program) and that exceed statutorily specified waste emissions thresholds.Compare
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To fund national nonprofit clean financing institutions capable of partnering with the private sector to provide accessible, affordable financing for clean technology projects.Compare
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To monitor, track, plug, remediate, and reclaim orphaned wells State-owned or privately-owned landCompare