The Maryland Energy Administration (“MEA”) presents this funding opportunity for the Electrification Outreach Program (the “Program”). Building electrification – the replacement of fossil fuel-powered systems and appliances with electric alternatives – is a key strategy for improving health and safety, increasing energy efficiency, and reducing emissions economy-wide.
This Program supports:
- Residential Community Electrification Outreach: statewide, community-based outreach to educate owners and tenants of single-family and multi-family dwellings on the benefits of electrification and encourage adoption of building electrification measures. Electrification outreach aligns with key State climate policies, including the decarbonization requirements of the Climate Solutions Now Act (SB528 2022).
- Residential and Commercial Outreach to WARMTH Pilot Communities: In 2024, the Maryland General Assembly passed the WARMTH Act (HB397 2024), requiring certain gas utilities to develop networked geothermal pilot programs in their service territories. Networked geothermal systems use a shared geothermal loop to efficiently heat and cool multiple buildings, offering a promising approach to community-scale electrification. Under the WARMTH Act, MEA will fund outreach to owners and tenants of single-family dwellings, multifamily dwellings, and commercial buildings within participating gas utility service areas to encourage participation in the WARMTH Pilot and facilitate coordination with Finalist communities over the pilot’s duration.
Type of Grant Program: Competitive Grant Program
Eligible Applicants: The Program is only open to nonprofit organizations, including community-based organizations. Applicants must be registered to do business in Maryland and in good standing.
FY25 Budget: A total of $350,000 for Fiscal Year 2025 is anticipated to be available. The actual amount available may vary, depending on the quantity of applications received and MEA’s available resources within a given fiscal year. The minimum request for a grant award is $50,000 and the maximum request for a grant award is $175,000. MEA may increase the maximum amount depending upon applicant qualifications. MEA may also issue partial awards.
Application Deadline: March 26, 2025, 5:00PM EST
Partial Awards: Partial awards are possible under the Program and will be determined based on the applicant’s competitive application score, as determined in the Review Process using the Evaluation Criteria. MEA may issue a partial award:
- Needed to ensure equitable distribution of funds across geographic regions of the State; or
- Sufficient grant funds are not available to fully fund a project.
Program Webpage: You may visit the program webpage to review the Funding Opportunity Announcement: https://energy.maryland.gov/Pages/EnergyOutreach.aspx
Please click "NEXT" to complete an online application. A PDF application is also available as an alternative.
All applications must be submitted in full to be eligible for consideration. Incomplete submissions will not advance to the next stage of the review process. Any questions or concerns should be directed to Ryan Trauley at building.decarbonization@maryland.gov