FY26 Decarbonizing Public Schools Program App Final

FY26 Decarbonizing Public Schools Program Application

Please carefully read through the Program's Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs) before filling out an application.
FOAs can be found under Program Documents on the Decarbonizing Public Schools Program website

A Word document version of the application is available here for planning purposes only. Please note that all applications must be submitted using this online form.

Please reach out to Kristen.Keim@Maryland.gov or schools.mea@maryland.gov with any questions or concerns.
LEA Information
LEA Name: *
LEA Address (EXACTLY as it appears on LEA's W-9)*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Has the LEA previously shared their EPA EnergyStar Portfolio Manager (or similar) account(s) with MEA?:*

YesNoUnsure

Primary LEA Contact

This is an LEA staff member who will be responsible for overseeing the continuation of the activities outlined in the FY26 FOA after the award’s performance period ends.
Primary Contact's Name*

First NameLast Name
Title*
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
LEA Signatory Authority

This is an LEA officer with the authority to commit the LEA to execute the grant’s requirements (e.g., Chair of the Board of Education, Chief Financial Officer, General Manager, etc.). This individual should have sufficient authority to identify, authorize, and provide the necessary resources to implement the grant agreement.
Signatory Authority's Name*

First NameLast Name
Title*
Email*
example@example.com
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
LEA Additional Contacts

This is an alternate LEA employee familiar with the project(s), which may also include a third party.
Secondary Contact's Name

First NameLast Name
Title
Email
example@example.com
Please add any alternate LEA employee contacts familiar with the project(s)

Application Areas of Interest
For Which Area Of Interest (AOI) are you applying? (see FOA for more details)*

AOI 1: Capacity Building Grants for Energy Management, Efficiency, Sustainability, and Portfolio PlanningAOI 2: Energy Efficiency CapitalAOI 3: Solar on SchoolsAOI 4: Net Zero Energy Schools
Each AOI FOA for the Decarbonizing Public Schools Program can be found here:

AOI 1 (Capacity)

AOI 2 (EE)

AOI 3 (Solar)

AOI 4 (NZE)

AOI 1: Capacity Building

Capacity Building Grants for Energy Management, Efficiency, Sustainability, and Portfolio Planning
AOI1 FOA
Select which project category you are applying for under this AOI (see FOA for more details). Select all that apply*

Category 1: Energy Data Management Support for K-12 SchoolsCategory 2: Strategic Capital Planning for Energy Efficient Schools
Category 1: Energy Data Management Support for K-12 Schools
Current Energy Management Status: Please provide an outline of the LEA's current status in developing or implementing energy policy and utility bill management strategies*
Energy Policy and Utility Bill Management: Please provide a narrative demonstrating the LEA's current need for assistance in developing or implementing an energy policy and utility bill management strategies*
Local Resource Challenges: Please provide a narrative demonstrating the LEA's current challenges in raising local resources for energy management *
Additional Capacity: Please provide a narrative demonstrating the LEA's current need for additional capacity to develop or implement energy policy *
Financial Information (AOI 1, Category 1)

Please provide all information regarding the project's funding below.
Grant Request ($)*
Please enter the amount of funding requested from the Decarbonizing Public Schools Program AOI 1. (example: $100,000)
Justification of Funds: Please provide a justification of how funds will be used to advance or expand activities consistent with the Scope of Work. *
Additional Funding Incentives: Project funding is encouraged to be combined with other incentives
Total incentive reimbursables combined with grant funding may not exceed the project budget.
Total Project Cost ($) *
Please enter the total cost of the project before the consideration of rebates and incentives. (example: $2,030,442)
Category 2: Strategic Capital Planning for Energy Efficient Schools
Please indicate which of the activities the LEA will undertake if awarded under this Program (select all that apply).*

Net Zero Energy (NZE) Planning for New and Major School ProjectsEnergy Efficiency Strategies for Partial Renovations and Systemic ProjectsRenewable and Clean Energy Generation Opportunities
History of Portfolio-Wide Analysis/Planning: Please provide an outline of the LEA's current status in conducting a comprehensive energy sustainability, or portfolio-wide analysis and developing or implementing energy or sustainability policies. *
Readiness and Commitment to Implement Policies: Please provide a narrative demonstrating the LEA's proposed use of local and state (including other MEA and Decarbonizing Public School Program) funds, availability of qualified personnel to perform the scope of work, and ability to access additional resources to support NZE design standards, financing, procurement, and portfolio-wide energy strategies.*
Financial Information (AOI 1, Category 2)

Please provide all information regarding the project's funding below.
Grant Request ($)*
Please enter the amount of funding requested from the Decarbonizing Public Schools Program AOI 1. (example: $100,000)
Justification of Funds: Please provide a justification of how funds will be used to advance or expand activities consistent with the Scope of Work. *
Additional Funding Incentives: Project funding is encouraged to be combined with other incentives
Total incentive reimbursables combined with grant funding may not exceed the project budget.
Total Project Cost ($) *
Please enter the total cost of the project before the consideration of rebates and incentives. (example: $2,030,442)

AOI 3: Solar on Schools

This program provides Maryland LEAs with the opportunity to request funding to support the installation and planning of solar arrays on existing school roofs and infrastructure.
Note: Please submit one application per project

AOI3 FOA
Project Site Location(s) Details

*If this project will have multiple locations, provide the main project site address and list additional addresses in the additional project site box
Project Site Name*
Project Site Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Additional project site(s) for THIS project
Does your project serve a low-income, underserved, and/or overburdened Census tract? Set by Chapter 98 (Ch.98) of the 2023 Laws of Maryland. See FOA for more details.*

YesNoUnsure
Describe the project site(s) in the box below, including a description of the location of the project and list the low-income or disadvantaged and overburdened census tract(s) served.*
Cost-Effectiveness: Demonstrate how the proposed project will show the greatest energy reduction and greenhouse gas savings per MEA dollar spent*
Community Engagement: Provide an engagement plan detailing how the project involves students, staff, and community, integrating with educational activities.*
Please Upload these Required AOI 3 Specific Documents:

1) System Diagram detailing locations, dimensions, and orientations of proposed system on the property.

2) Site map exhibiting the location of the system on the property.

3) Construction Schedule.

4) Energy production modeling: a PVWATTS, PVSYST (or equivalent) document showing expected energy production - A basic electrical schematic of the facility's electrical system (a one-line diagram is acceptable) and where/how the solar array connects to it.

5) Payback Analysis (for a purchased system): calculate the simple payback period. For a 3rd party- owned system: show the cost savings to the site owner over a 15-year period.

6) Technical and engineering reports, including site evaluations, solar potential assessments, and preliminary engineering studies
Please upload the required documents listed above here*

Can attach as individual documents or as a singular PDF
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Financial Information (AOI 3)

Please provide all information regarding the project's funding below.
Grant Request ($)*
Please enter the amount of funding requested from the Decarbonizing Public Schools Program AOI 3. (example: $100,000)
Please upload a simple budget outlining how the requested funds will be used. Applicants may use the MEA Project Budget (https://energy.maryland.gov/SiteAssets/Pages/SchoolDecarbonization/FY26%20Schools%20Decarb%20Project%20Budget.xlsx)*

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Additional Funding Incentives: Identify and quantify the amount of funding leveraged from other sources
Total incentive reimbursables combined with grant funding may not exceed the project budget.
Total Project Cost ($)*
Please enter the total cost of the project before the consideration of rebates and incentives. (example: $637,802)

AOI 4: NZE

This program supports the design, construction, and post-occupancy commissioning of the next generation of Net Zero Energy (NZE) Schools in Maryland.
AOI4 FOA
Project Site Location(s) Details

*If this project will have multiple locations, provide the main project site address and list additional addresses in the additional project site box
Project Site Name*
Project Site Address*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Additional project site(s) for THIS project
Does your project serve a low-income, underserved, and/or overburdened Census tract? Set by Chapter 98 (Ch.98) of the 2023 Laws of Maryland. See FOA for more details.*

YesNoUnsure
Site Locations: Provide a detailed description of the proposed Net Zero Energy school locations including justification of site selection based on community needs and benefits. Indicate whether the funds will be used for: design, construction, and post-occupancy commissioning. *
Project GHG Reduction: Demonstrate how the proposed project will show the greatest energy reduction and greenhouse gas savings per MEA dollar spent*
Additional Capacity: Provide a narrative demonstrating the need for additional capacity to implement and execute the design, construction, and post occupancy commissioning of a NZE school*
Community Impact: Provide an assessment of application's impact on underserved or overburdened communities, with a focus on Title I schools and high social vulnerability indices.*
Community Engagement: Provide an outline of the engagement of students, educators, and the community in all phases of the NZE school design, construction, post-occupancy commissioning, and daily operations, with strategies for inclusive decision-making, community workshops, student initiatives, educational integration, and regular progress updates*
Educational Integration: Provide an assessment of plans for engaging students and the community in all phases of the project, including educational integration of sustainability concepts.*
Please Upload these Required AOI 4 Specific Documents:

1) Energy Impact: Modeled energy intensity (BTU/GSF) during the design phase and projected reductions (include current energy usage at existing school to be replaced to show energy savings for LEA)

2) Scope of work or executive summary detailing LEA goals

3) Prospective schedule and plan for LEA design and construction. Detailed notes from LEA or assigned design team on how they intend to meet NZE designs including: Renewable energy production, Building controls, Building envelope and commissioning needs.

4) Modeled construction costs - Modeled energy intensity and renewable energy requirements to meet net zero energy
Please upload the required documents listed above here*

Can attach as individual documents or as a singular PDF
Cancelof
Financial Information (AOI 4)

Please provide all information regarding the project's funding below.
Grant Request ($)*
Please enter the amount of funding requested from the Decarbonizing Public Schools Program AOI 4. (example: $100,000)
Please upload a simple budget outlining how the requested funds will be used. Applicants may use the MEA Project Budget (https://energy.maryland.gov/SiteAssets/Pages/SchoolDecarbonization/FY26%20Schools%20Decarb%20Project%20Budget.xlsx)*

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Justification of funds: Provide a detailed justification of how the funds will be utilized to meet or exceed NZE standards in the Scope of Work.*
Additional Funding Incentives: Project funding is encouraged to be combined with other incentives*
Total incentive reimbursables combined with grant funding may not exceed the project budget.
Total Project Cost ($)*
Please enter the total cost of the project before the consideration of rebates and incentives. (example: $711,435)

Electronic Communications

Electronic communication provides the fastest and most efficient method of interacting with MEA; therefore, MEA encourages the use of electronic communication for all matters relating to this grant program. Unless the applicant opts out as indicated below, MEA will require the electronic submission and receipt of all documents (including but not limited to the application, the grant agreement, reports, and invoices).
The Applicant agrees to use electronic communication for all purposes relating to this grant program:*

I agree
Application Signature
Please Attach a Signed W-9 *

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Signature of Signatory Authority *

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FY26 Decarbonizing Public Schools Program Application

LEA Information

Primary LEA Contact

LEA Signatory Authority

LEA Additional Contacts

Application Areas of Interest

AOI 1: Capacity Building

Category 1: Energy Data Management Support for K-12 Schools

Financial Information (AOI 1, Category 1)

Category 2: Strategic Capital Planning for Energy Efficient Schools

Financial Information (AOI 1, Category 2)

AOI 2: Energy Efficiency

Project Site Location(s) Details

Financial Information (AOI 2)

AOI 3: Solar on Schools

Project Site Location(s) Details

Financial Information (AOI 3)

AOI 4: NZE

Project Site Location(s) Details

Financial Information (AOI 4)

Electronic Communications

Application Signature