The programs listed below are no longer available due to federal policy changes, depleted funding, or program closures. We’ve archived this information for reference and to document what was previously available to North Carolina residents.
*Because these funds are no longer active, some links may not work.
Contact Your Representatives! While these opportunities have ended, EF4A continues tracking current programs and advocating for resources that support clean energy access in the Carolinas. If you want more incentives like these, tell your Federal, North Carolina, and South Carolina legislators.
To support coastal resilience, coastal communities, and conservation, restoration, and protection of coastal and marine habitats and resources.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was scheduled to spend $2.6 million through direct federal spending, contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and technical assistance. Eligible uses include conservation, restoration, and protection of coastal and marine habitats, including fisheries, to enable coastal communities to prepare for changing climate conditions.
State, local, and tribal governments, Tribes, and tribal and Native organizations, nonprofits, and institutions of higher education.
This funding is no longer available. If you want more incentives like this, tell your Federal, North Carolina, and South Carolina legislators. Click “Learn More” to see how this program benefited the Carolinas.
Grants to install EV chargers and other alternative fueling in communities and along transportation corridors.
Grants to install publicly accessible EV chargers and other alternative fueling in urban and rural communities, including downtown areas and local neighborhoods, particularly in underserved and disadvantaged communities, and along transportation corridors.
Eligible applicants included states, metropolitan planning organizations, local governments, port authorities, Tribes, and U.S. territories.
This funding is no longer available. If you want more incentives like this, tell your Federal, North Carolina, and South Carolina legislators. Click “Learn More” to see how this program benefited the Carolinas.
Grants for clean energy programs in rural areas (<10,000 people)
The funding provided financial investments, technical assistance, and other resources to advance clean energy demonstrations and energy solutions
If your community or organization is located in a rural/remote area, you could apply.
This funding is no longer available. If you want more incentives like this, tell your Federal, North Carolina, and South Carolina legislators. Click “Learn More” to see how this program benefited the Carolinas.
Loans to support the manufacture of eligible advanced technology vehicles and components
Loans to support a range of manufacturing, including light-duty vehicles, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, locomotives, maritime vessels including offshore wind vessels, aviation, and hyperloop. Loan amount cannot exceed 80% of eligible project costs.
Eligible recipients included manufacturers of eligible vehicles or of components of materials that support eligible vehicles’ fuel economy performance.
Funding that had not already been awarded was canceled by the budget reconciliation bill signed on July 4, 2025.
Funding for Tribal climate resilience and adaptation programs
Funding to help sustain ecosystems and natural and cultural resources, economies, infrastructure, human health, and safety through technical and financial assistance, access to scientific resources and educational opportunities.
Federally-recognized Tribes are eligible.
This funding is no longer available. If you want more incentives like this, tell your Federal, North Carolina, and South Carolina legislators. Click “Learn More” to see how this program benefited the Carolinas.
Funding for Tribal fish hatchery operations and maintenance
Funding to extend the life of Tribal hatcheries across the nation and support hatchery rearing and stocking programs.
Federally-recognized Tribes are eligible to apply and some funds will be spent directly by the BIA.
Contact the regional location of the BIA. Funding to remain available until September 30, 2031.
Funding to help the National Tribal Air Association address air pollution.
This funding opportunity is seeking applications from eligible entities to support the operations of the National Tribal Air Association (NTAA). It is anticipated that the selected applicant will provide expert air quality regulatory and policy analysis and national coordination to assist Tribes in understanding, participating in and responding to the EPA/OAR’s air quality planning, regulatory, policy, and implementation activities.
Federally recognized Indian Tribes, states (including the District of Columbia), other public and private non-profit organizations, local governments, U.S. territories and possessions, and public and private universities and colleges, hospitals, and laboratories are eligible.
Click “Learn More” for more details. Applications are due October 1, 2025.
Funding for community planning grants and capital construction.
Provided funds for projects seeking to increase transportation infrastructure connecting communities to economic opportunities, including community-led projects to mitigate physical barriers to mobility and access like highways or train tracks.
This funding was available to states, local governments, tribes, and metropolitan planning organizations.
This funding is no longer available. If you want more incentives like this, tell your Federal, North Carolina, and South Carolina legislators. Click “Learn More” to see how this program benefited the Carolinas.
Funding energy efficiency and renewable energy projects at public K-12 schools to lower energy costs and improve indoor air quality.
Funding for energy improvements at schools: energy efficiency improvements like new HVAC and ventilation systems, building envelope and lighting projects, and renewable energy technologies; alternative-fueled vehicles and alternative-fueled vehicle infrastructure.
Teams must consist of at least one local educational agency and one or more schools, nonprofit organizations, for-profit organizations, or community partners.
Applications were due April 3, 2025, but all mention of the 2025 cycle were removed from DOE’s page. At this time, we do not believe funding will be available in future rounds.
Funding for community-based organizations to build partnerships for solving environmental and public health problems.
Financial assistance to community-based organizations to address local environmental or public health issues in partnership with local businesses, industry, local government, academia, etc.
Community-based nonprofits and partnerships of community-based nonprofits
98 awards were made in October 2023, including 2 in the Carolinas that may provide benefits to local communities. No further application cycles have been announced. Click “Learn More” for information on efforts to terminate already-awarded grants.
Grants to community-based organizations in historically disadvantaged communities to promote environmental and climate justice.
Approximately $2 billion to community-driven initiatives in disadvantaged communities that reduce pollution, increase community climate resilience, advance clean energy, and build community capacity to address environmental and climate justice challenges.
A partnership between two community-based nonprofit organizations (CBOs) or a partnership between a CBO and a federally recognized Tribe, or a local government, or an institution of higher education. Projects must serve communities disproportionately impacted by climate change, legacy pollution, or historical disinvestment.
This funding is no longer available. If you want more incentives like this, tell your Federal, North Carolina, and South Carolina legislators. Click “Learn More” to see how this program benefited the Carolinas.
Funding to further the Clean Air Act and projects that abide by its standards
EPA announced approximately $25 million in Clean Air Act grants to support efforts by air pollution control agencies and other organizations to partner with EPA to deliver cleaner air through programs that address air quality, transportation, indoor air, and climate change. Other activities included planning and preparation for implementing other Inflation Reduction Act provisions.
State, local, Tribal, and territorial air pollution control agencies were eligible. Eligibility was limited to air agencies currently receiving Clean Air Act Section 105 grants.
This funding is no longer available. If you want more incentives like this, tell your Federal, North Carolina, and South Carolina legislators. Click “Learn More” to see how this program benefited the Carolinas.
Funding to improve walkability, safety, and access to public transit
Provided funds for projects that improve walkability, safety, and affordable transportation access through context-sensitive strategies, as well as projects that address existing transportation facilities that create barriers to community connectivity or negative impacts on the human or natural environment.
Available to states, local governments, and metropolitan planning organizations
This funding was replaced by the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program. Both funding opportunities are no longer available. If you want more incentives like this, tell your Federal, North Carolina, and South Carolina legislators. Click “Learn More” to see how this program benefited the Carolinas.
Provided funding for the purchase or lease of zero-emission and low-emission transit buses as well as the required supporting facilities.
Provided funding for the purchase or lease of zero-emissions and low-emission transit buses as well as acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities and workforce development.
Eligible applicants included direct or designated recipients of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grants, states, local governmental authorities, and Tribes.
This funding is no longer available. If you want more incentives like this, tell your Federal, North Carolina, and South Carolina legislators. Click “Learn More” to see how this program benefited the Carolinas.
Funding to support Tribal investment in energy-related projects by providing direct loans or partial loan guarantees to Federally-recognized Tribes.
$75 million to support investment in energy-related projects by providing direct loans or partial loan guarantees to Federally-recognized Tribes.
Federally-recognized Tribes. In addition, a Tribal Energy Development Organization that is wholly or substantially owned by a federally recognized Tribe is eligible.
Click “Learn More” for more information. The original program was canceled but DOE has other Tribal financing opportunities.
Grants for states and others to develop and implement plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution.
Grants to develop and implement plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other harmful air pollution. This two-phase grant provided funding of $250 million for noncompetitive planning grants and $4.6 billion for competitive implementation grants.
States, local governments, Tribes, and air pollution control agencies were eligible to apply. All funding has been awarded, but opportunities for engagement still exist. Click “Learn More” for NC DEQ public input sessions and Climate Conversations Mini-Grants from the Central Midlands Council of Governments (SC).
This funding is no longer available. If you want more incentives like this, tell your Federal, North Carolina, and South Carolina legislators. Click “Learn More” to see how this program benefited the Carolinas.
Loans and grants to increase energy efficiency and improve the comfort of buildings.
Loans and grants for energy efficiency audits, upgrades, and retrofits to increase energy efficiency and improve the comfort of buildings.
State Energy Offices will receive the funds and then provide grants and loans to homeowners, businesses, local governments, and nonprofits.
This funding is no longer available. If you want more incentives like this, tell your Federal, North Carolina, and South Carolina legislators. Click “Learn More” to see how this program benefited the Carolinas.
Funding to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and low-emission models
Annual program of grants and rebates to replace existing school buses with zero-emission and low-emission models
Available to:
This funding is no longer available. Click “Learn More” to see details of the program. If application rounds are opened, we will update that page.
Funding to reduce pollution at schools in low-income and disadvantaged communities
Grants and other activities to monitor and reduce air pollution and GHG emissions at schools in low-income and disadvantage communities; technical assistance to address environmental issues, develop school environmental quality plans, identify and mitigate ongoing air pollution hazards
State/territorial governments, inter-state agencies, local governments, and Indigenous communities were eligible.
This funding is no longer available. If you want more incentives like this, tell your Federal, North Carolina, and South Carolina legislators. Click “Learn More” to see how this program benefited the Carolinas.
Funding to create activities leading to measurable environmental or public health results in communities in need.
Funding to support government activities that lead to measurable environmental or public health impacts in communities disproportionately burdened by environmental harms. A variety of projects were funded, including air monitoring, indoor/outdoor air quality, solar panel installation, small-scale cleanups, community education, EJ tool development, green jobs and infrastructure, food access, and much more.
Eligible entities included:
This funding is no longer available. If you want more incentives like this, tell your Federal, North Carolina, and South Carolina legislators. Click “Learn More” to see how this program benefited the Carolinas.
Funding for states to develop a program to train home energy efficiency contractors.
Funding for states to develop and implement a state program that provides training and education to home energy efficiency contractors.
States are eligible.
Section 50402 of the budget reconciliation bill signed on July 4, 2025 rescinded unobligated funds under this IRA provision. This page will remain updated if we hear that NC or SC had already received funding and will be continuing with their training programs.
Funding to create building, training, and assessment centers for energy efficiency workers.
The Building Training and Assessment Centers (BTAC) Program provided grants to institutions of higher education to establish building, training, and assessment centers. These BTACs will educate and train students and building performance professionals to deploy modern energy efficiency building technologies in small businesses and K-12 schools.
BTACs will fund institutions of higher education, like community colleges and universities.
This funding is no longer available. If you want more incentives like this, tell your Federal, North Carolina, and South Carolina legislators. Click “Learn More” to see how this program benefited the Carolinas.
Funding to outfit Tribal homes with zero-emissions energy systems.
Financial and technical assistance to Tribes to increase the number of Tribal homes with zero-emission electricity.
Eligible applicants were Federally-recognized Tribes and Tribal Organizations. Tribal consortia needed to coordinate with Federally-recognized Tribes within their service area.
This funding is no longer available. If you want more incentives like this, tell your Federal, North Carolina, and South Carolina legislators. Click “Learn More” to see how this program benefited Tribes across the country.
HUD paid landlords to make climate-friendly upgrades to low-income housing
These were grants and loans for HUD landlords to complete low-income home projects that reduce energy use.
Owners of eligible HUD-assisted multifamily properties were eligible.
This funding is no longer available. If you want more incentives like this, tell your Federal, North Carolina, and South Carolina legislators. Click “Learn More” to see how this program benefited the Carolinas.
Help with implementation of strategies to reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions while improving energy efficiency.
Designed to help local governments with implementation of strategies to reduce energy use and fossil fuel emissions while improving energy efficiency. Applicants can apply either for grants or for technical assistance and/or equipment-rebate vouchers.
Available to states, local governments, and Tribes. Subgrants may be available to other entities, including renters and homeowners. Click “Learn More” for details.
SC is accepting applications for round three through December 1, 2025. In NC, renters and homeowners in Orange, Granville, and Durham counties may be eligible for subgrants to help with energy efficiency upgrades.
Technical and financial assistance to help plan and implement authorized watershed projects.
Provides technical and financial assistance to help plan and implement authorized watershed projects for purposes of flood prevention, fish and wildlife protection, agricultural water management, water quality management, and more.
Available to states, local governments, and Tribal organizations
Contact your local USDA Service Center to inquire about application periods.
This EPA competition selected 11 grantmakers to make subgrants to community-based environmental justice projects.
RTI International received a grant to make subgrants in NC and SC for a variety of environmental justice projects.
Nonprofits, Federally- and state-recognized Tribal governments and intertribal consortia, local governments, and Native American organizations who are proposing environmental justice projects.
This program was terminated by the EPA in April of 2025, and applications are no longer being accepted or reviewed. Click “Learn More” to see how we are fighting back to get this funding restored.
Improved financing of clean energy, especially for low-income and disadvantaged communities.
$20 billion across two grant programs to improve clean energy financing options, especially for low-income communities
Grants were awarded to 8 large nonprofits that will in turn distribute funds to households, small businesses, community lenders and others. Click “Learn More” for details.
Grant awards were announced April 2024, but recipients’ access to the grant funds has been frozen by the US EPA. Grantees have sued to regain access to the funds. Click “Learn More” for details.
Funding to help low-income and disadvantaged households and communities go solar
Funds to help low-income households install solar and batteries, create community solar opportunities for low-income and disdvantaged communities, and build the solar workforce.
Low-income homeowners or renters.
Funds were to be available starting in 2026, but the program is on hold pending lawsuits. Click “Learn More” for details.
