Maryland FY2027 Energy Challenge Grant
The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) offers competitive grants for innovative Maryland projects that coordinate distributed energy assets such as solar, battery storage, electric vehicles and smart building appliances to increase electric-grid reliability, reduce energy costs and strengthen emergency resilience. This is applicant financial assistance under the statewide FY2027 Energy Challenge, not an ordinary procurement or vendor bid. The controlling Funding Opportunity Announcement was issued September 30 and modified October 6, 2026.
Applicant funding and cost sharing
MEA anticipates approximately $2,000,000 in overall program funding and limits each project application to a maximum $750,000 MEA grant. The normal base funding component may cover up to 75 percent of eligible direct project costs; an applicant may justify a supplemental amount covering up to 90 percent of an isolated difficult-to-fund direct-cost category, and administrative costs may be included up to 15 percent of the total grant. The project budget workbook calculates the grant request and other leveraged financing. These category funding percentages are not a universal matching-funds percentage. MEA sets any reimbursement condition in the grant agreement.
Applicant eligibility
Eligible applicants include incorporated Maryland cities, towns and counties; incorporated nonprofit organizations; businesses and limited liability companies; local education agencies; and certain accredited Maryland higher-education institutions. Maryland state agencies, federal or foreign government units, public senior institutions of higher education, and higher-education institutions receiving FY27 Strategic Energy Investment Fund appropriations are excluded. Other applicant types may be considered case by case. Each applicant must have an EIN, necessary legal registrations and authority to operate, and must comply with program certifications.
Eligible work and restrictions
Projects should implement a workable solution addressing distributed-energy coordination, interoperability, grid resilience, market participation or customer engagement barriers. Eligible direct expenses can include project personnel, materials, contracts and related implementation. Standalone planning, standalone outreach and education, workforce development and fossil-fuel expansion are not eligible. An applicant may not receive two MEA grants for the same project scope at the same location; pre-agreement costs are ineligible unless MEA grants written approval. Applicable Maryland fossil-fuel rules and general grant provisions also govern.
Two-stage application process and deadlines
Stage 1 preliminary applications, including a 1,000 to 2,500 word concept paper and required eligibility information, must be submitted through the My MEA portal by December 2, 2026 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Only applicants invited after Stage 1 review may submit Stage 2 detailed proposals by February 10, 2027 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The detailed submission uses the FOA budget workbook, implementation plan, required declarations and supporting documents. Follow current attachments, amendments and portal instructions on the official MEA program page.