Just in Time for the Holidays: DOE Announces More than Half a Billion Dollars in Competitive Grants for Energy Codes

On December 18, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $530 million in new competitive grant funding. Of the $530 million, between 40 and 200 awards will be made, with funding ranging from $1 to $20 million, and no cost-sharing requirements.

Supporting the Adoption of the Latest and Zero Building Energy Codes

This funding aims to support the adoption and full implementation of the 2021 and forthcoming editions of the International Energy Conservation Code® (IECC), the IECC’s zero energy appendices, and other codes that deliver equivalent or greater energy savings. This includes innovative approaches to decarbonize existing buildings through measurable and enforceable requirements.

States, territories and local governments with the authority to adopt building codes are eligible applicants. The DOE will prioritize local capacity building, multi-year investments in workforce and education and long-term improvements in building energy codes through multi-cycle adoption.

While the DOE has established three rounds of rolling application deadlines, it also noted that all funding may be awarded in the first round. Concept papers must be submitted to DOE by 5:00 PM ET on February 9, 2024, with full applications due by 5:00 PM ET on April 30, 2024, to be eligible for the first round of funded projects.

The DOE is hosting an informational webinar on these grants at 2:00 PM ET on January 17, 2024. Click here to register.

Additional information is available within the associated Funding Opportunity Announcement, a Q&A Spreadsheet, Code Council Factsheet, and DOE-provided Application Forms and Templates.

The Code Council will post additional code official-specific factsheets and guidance here.

Please reach out to federalgrants@iccsafe.org for additional assistance.