The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), through the Office of State and Community Energy Programs (SCEP), announced that applications are now open for the 2025 Renew America's Schools Prize. This initiative will invest an anticipated $90 million in school districts around the country engaging in strategic partnerships to build capacity and implement energy upgrades in their schools.
The prize focuses on improving air quality, reducing energy use and costs, and lowering emissions across school facilities, with a special emphasis on disadvantaged and/or rural local educational agencies (LEAs). This funding is available for various energy improvements, including HVAC systems, building envelope enhancements, lighting upgrades, renewable energy technologies, alternative energy-fueled vehicles, infrastructure, and more.
During Phase 1 of the 2025 Renew America's Schools Prize, teams will identify a portfolio of eligible school facilities demonstrating both need and eligibility for energy improvements. Up to 14 Phase 1 Winners will earn a cash prize of $300,000 for successfully building teams and submitting compelling applications identifying need. DOE will down-select to identify winners who may move on to Phases 2 and 3, wherein they will enter and execute Cooperative Agreements with DOE. Awards made in Phases 2 and 3 will vary by portfolio size but could range from $7.5 million to $15 million.
The Prize marks the third round of funding from the Renew America’s Schools program and builds on the success of the 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize by leveraging the same prize-to-cooperative agreement funding mechanism, lowering barriers to entry for districts and increasing the accessibility of federal funds. In August DOE announced the 21 winners of the 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize who each received a $300,000 cash prize for their efforts, 16 of whom were selected to enter and execute cooperative agreements with DOE for awards up to $15 million. Among these 16 selectees, DOE plans to invest in 320 school facilities across 25 states and directly benefitting over 123,000 students and 9,100 teachers.
Ready to build a team? To facilitate the formation of project teams for this Prize, DOE is continuing to gather information for the “Teaming Partner List.” The Teaming Partner List allows prospective participants on an application to express their interest to other competitors, explore potential partnerships, and form project teams. The Teaming Partner List will be regularly updated to reflect new teaming partners who provide their organization’s information.
How to Participate Today:
1. Visit the HeroX site for weekly updates to the Teaming Partner list, to find information about webinars and office hours, and to start your application!
2. Visit the Renew America’s Schools website and read the Fact Sheet (also attached) to learn more about the 2025 Renew America’s Schools Prize.
3. Add your email HERE for Renew America’s Schools Program updates.
4. Follow the instructions in the Media Promotion Toolkit (also attached) to amplify the news that applications are opening for the 2025 Renew America’s Schools Prize.
5. Share this email with any media contacts interested in covering the news through their distribution channels (newsletters, social media, press, blogs, etc.).
The program is designed to deliver lasting benefits to local communities and supports the Biden-Harris Administration's broader goal of investing in better school infrastructure. We encourage you to explore this exciting opportunity for local schools and districts.
Please email Schools@doe.gov with any additional questions. Applications for the 2025 Renew America’s Schools Prize are due by Thursday, April 3rd, 2025, at 5PM ET.
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Douglas Paul
The American Institute of Architects
Washington DC
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