Decarbonizing Public Schools Program

About this funding opportunity

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Decarbonizing Public Schools Program

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The FY2026 Decarbonizing Public Schools Program is CLOSED

New! FY2027 Commercial & Community Buildings Grant Program Request for Information (RFI):The Maryland Energy Administration's FY2027 Commercial & Community Buildings RFI is now available. We welcome feedback from interested stakeholders to help inform program design and development. Responses will be accepted via JotForm through Friday, July 3.

Program Description: The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), in partnership with the Interagency Commission on School Construction (IAC), is pleased to announce the Funding Opportunity Announcement for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Decarbonizing Public Schools Program to help Local Education Agencies (LEAs) develop capacity and advance strategies for promoting clean and efficient energy use within their portfolio of current and future K-12 schools and support facilities.

Program Purpose: The overall intent of the Decarbonizing Public Schools Program is to prepare LEAs, also known as school districts, to expand their capacity to manage energy data and to reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions while designing for future high-performance schools. The program will provide approximately $36 million in funding from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund, Climate Action Plan and Alternative Compliance Program to help LEAs develop and expand their capacity to address ongoing challenges and opportunities for controlling costs through energy data management, net zero energy design considerations for public school portfolio planning, solar installations and energy efficiency upgrades. Grant funding will be offered for multiple areas of interest (AOI).

Type of Program: Formula and Competitive, with consideration of need. Applicants may apply for funding to support one or multiple AOIs, for either their entire school district, for a significantly sized multi-facility subset or for individual school facilities.

Funding: A total of $36 million is expected to be available. The amount may vary depending on the quantity and quality of applications received.

Application Deadline: November 21, 2025, at 3:00 PM ET.

Webinar: 09/09/2025 Decarbonizing Public Schools Webinar

Program Documents: AOI1 Capacity Building for Energy Management, Efficiency, Sustainability, and Portfolio Planning AOI2 Energy Efficiency AOI3 Solar on Schools Eligible Census Tracts AOI4 Net Zero Energy Schools FY26 Decarbonizing Public Schools Program Application Final (Word Doc Version) FY26 Decarbonizing Public Schools Project Budget MEA Grant General Provisions

Education Sector FY26 Grant Program Directory

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Awardees: FY25 School Decarb Award List FY24 School Decarb Award List

Case Studies: Baltimore City Schools Wilde Lake Middle School

For more information, contact MEA regarding by email the Decarbonizing Public Schools Program at schools.mea@maryland.gov.

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Topic areas: Energy and Environment, Smart Cities, Education and Training.

Funding amount

This other provides Varies in funding.

Deadline

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; there is no single fixed deadline.

Who can apply

This opportunity is open to the following applicant types:

• Not specified by the program.

Eligibility

The program did not publish a separate eligibility statement. See the official opportunity page for the full eligibility criteria.

Agency

Decarbonizing Public Schools Program is administered by Maryland Energy Administration (MEA), listed via Maryland Energy Administration.