Grants and In-Kind Support to USA LEAs to Implement Infras

Grants and In-Kind Support to USA LEAs to Implement Infrastructure Improvements in Schools

Energy CLASS (Champions Leading the Advancement of Sustainable Schools) Prize

GrantWatch ID# 206917

Agency: Federal

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Funding Source

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP)

Geographic Focus

All USA

Important Dates

Conference Date: 12/10/22
Deadline: 02/28/23 5:00 PM ET Save

Grant Description

Grants and in-kind support to USA local education agencies to implement infrastructure improvements in schools. The purpose of the program is to enhance energy efficiency and indoor air quality. In addition to funding, successful applicants will receive technical assistance and professional development.

The Energy CLASS Prize is focused on building capacity within local educational agencies (LEAs) to identify and implement energy and health improvements in their facilities and classrooms. The Energy CLASS Prize will provide resources to staff and will train personnel on operations and maintenance (O&M), strategic energy management, project development, funding pathways, and related topics to deepen bandwidth and knowledge for advancing the fiscal and environmental sustainability of their schools. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s schools provision set aside $500 million to transform decaying public school infrastructure into healthier, more energy efficient learning environments. Section (f) of the provision allows up to 5% of funds to be used for O&M training and up to 3% to be used on continuing education. The Energy CLASS Prize program focuses on O&M training and continuing education of LEA staff in some of the neediest school districts so that they can gain the knowledge needed to lead energy and indoor air quality projects and identify funding to implement improvements.

The Energy CLASS Prize provides a total of $4.5 million in awards, including $3.75 million in cash prizes for selected LEAs to fund energy management professionals in training (Energy Champions) and an additional $750,000 in technical assistance from Energy CLASS Training Network partners. The first cohort of LEAs selected for the Energy CLASS Prize will participate in a yearlong program anticipated to run from May 2023 to May 2024. The program kicks off with orientation and community-building events. Training and coaching take place over the 2023–2024 school year, from roughly September 2023 to May 2024.

The Training Network includes professional organizations with expertise in energy, health, communications, project development, and finance that will provide trainings and support to Energy CLASS Prize participants through (1) 80–160 hours of educational content and (2) 60–80 hours of professional coaching on LEA-specific projects.

Full Grant Text RFP

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Recipient

Eligibility

Others (see text field entitled "Additional Eligibility Criteria" for clarification)

Additional Eligibility Criteria

Eligible entities include any U.S. local educational agency, or LEA. An LEA refers to a public board of education or other public authority legally constituted for either administrative control or direction of, or to perform a service function for, public elementary or secondary schools within a state, or of or for a combination of school districts or counties as are recognized in a state as an administrative agency for its public elementary and secondary schools. LEA has the meaning given in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). LEAs that contain Charter schools are eligible to apply.

For further eligibility considerations, see the following link: https://americanmadechallenges.org/challenges/energy-class/docs/EnergyCLASS_Official_Prize_Rules.pdf#page=7

Pre-Proposal Conference

Dec. 7, 2022, 8 p.m. IST
Informational Webinar

https://nrel.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_oGSnjGKaQkGd5rytbfYUlQ

The webinar will cover timelines, deliverables, and rules for the prize, as well as a Q&A session where potential participants can get their questions answered.

Pre-Application Information

Complete a submission package online before February 28, 2023, at 5 p.m. E.T.

Phase 1: Application
- Open: November 29, 2022
- Close: February 28, 2023, at 5 p.m. E.T.
- Evaluation period: February–March 2023
- Winner notification: April 2023 (anticipated)

Phase 2: Skills Development and Planning
- Open: May 2023 (anticipated)
- Close: May 2024 (anticipated)
- Evaluation period: May–June 2024
- Winner notification: July 2024 (anticipated)

Additional Funding Information

Estimated Total Program Funding:

$4,500,000

Number of Grants

Up to 25 winners in each phase.

Estimated Size of Grant

In Phase 1 (Application), LEAs will submit their statement of need and letters of support, demonstrate their commitment to improving energy performance and indoor air quality, and identify staff to participate in the program. LEAs may choose to fund one person or portions of multiple people’s time across different functions to attend the trainings and put learnings into practices within their schools in Phase 2 (Skills Development and Planning). Up to 25 LEAs who demonstrate a need for and commitment to staff capacity building will receive $100,000 each and will be invited to participate in 80–160 hours of virtual training and 60–80 hours of coaching at the end of Phase 1.

In Phase 2 (Skills Development and Planning), staff from up to 25 LEAs will be invited to participate in 80–160 hours of primarily virtual educational courses delivered by training professionals on topics including, but not limited to:
- Fundamental building science
- Benchmarking and management
- Indoor air quality
- Procurement strategies
- Business and communications skills
- Stakeholder engagement.

At the conclusion of Phase 2, participants will summarize their progress and actions taken during Phase 2 and submit their plans for future improvements for a chance to win a $50,000 bonus prize. Phase 2 is only open to Phase 1 winners.

Term of Contract

- Phase 1 Duration: 3 months
- Phase 2 Duration: 12 months

Contact Information

Apply online: https://www.herox.com/energy-class

Direct questions to energyclassprize@nrel.gov

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