What does this funding get me?
The US Department of Energy awards funding to the SC Energy Office to fund high-impact demonstration projects in the areas of energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean transportation. The maximum award value in the latest cycle was $50,000.
Am I eligible?
Eligible applicants included South Carolina state agencies, local governments, public colleges/universities/technical colleges, K-12 public schools, and nonprofit organizations.
How can I access the money?
FY2026 closed on December 5, 2025. For more information on requirements, see the FY2026 Mini-Grant Solicitation.
What is the timeline?
Applications for Fiscal Year 2026 were due December 5, 2025 and projects must be completed by February 1, 2027. Projects must begin within 30 days of execution of the grant agreements and periodic status reports will be requested.
What other incentives could I use to help me accomplish my goals?
- Round 3 of the SC Energy Office’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant subgrants (closed December 1, 2025)
- SC Energy Office’s Energy Efficiency Revolving Loans
- SC Energy Office’s Energy Saver Tool
- Affordable loans may soon be available through the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
- RTI was making subgrants for environmental justice projects under the EPA’s Environmental Justice Thriving Communities Grantmaking Program, but that program is on hold because it was terminated by the EPA, an action that is now the subject of ongoing lawsuits.
- Check out our (non-exhaustive) list of non-federal funding from other sources that may fit your energy and cost-saving goals.
What are examples of projects that have been selected for awards?
- Beaufort County: Electric Utility Vehicle for Beaufort Solid Waste & Recycling Department’s litter control program, Beaufort
- Lugoff Fire Department: Replacement of over 100 Fluorescent and Metal Halide Fixtures with LEDs, Lugoff
- Montessori School of Columbia: Installation of 8.16kW Solar Photovoltiac System on Learning Lab Building, Columbia
- Pee Dee Farmers Market: Installation of 2 Level-2 Charging Stations, Florence
To see many more awarded projects, please visit the Energy Office’s Mini-grant Program.
Where can I get more information?
- SC State Energy Office web page on Mini-Grant program has more information and details on previous years’ grantees.
- Contact Rick Campana, RCampana@ORS.SC.GOV, 803-737-5229.
- For more assistance or additional questions, contact Priscilla Preston at info@energyfundsforall.org.