 Buildings UP Application Process Opens February 18, 2023
Dear Multifamily Owners and Operators,
The Department of Energy recently launched (Building UP), their climate action competitive prize focused on upgrading existing buildings nationwide to increase energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
Welcome to Buildings UP! The Buildings Upgrade Prize (Buildings UP) is an
ambitious initiative by the U.S. Department of Energy Building Technologies
Office to build capacity to accelerate equitable, widespread energy efficiency and
efficient electrification building upgrades across the country. More information
about this competitive prize can be found by following Buildings UP on HeroX.
About the Buildings Upgrade Prize
Buildings UP provides more than $22 million in cash prizes and technical
assistance to support the transformation of existing U.S. buildings into more
energy-efficient and clean energy-ready homes, commercial spaces, and
communities. Buildings UP is an American-Made Challenge funded by the U.S.
Department of Energy Building Technologies Office and administered by the
National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Upgrades may include transitioning to
efficient electric equipment, including heat pumps and heat pump water heaters,
and improving building efficiency through measures such as insulation and air
sealing. Together, efforts will help reduce carbon emissions and energy costs while
improving indoor air quality and occupant comfort.
The Department of Energy’s official press release can be found here and official
announcement video can be found here. Follow #BuildingsUP on Twitter,
LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram for more prize-related information and
updates.
Application Process
Opens: February 18, 2023
Closes: July 18, 2023
During Phase 1 of Buildings UP, teams will submit innovative concepts to leverage
the billions of dollars available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL),
the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), utility rebate programs, and many other funding
sources, capitalizing on this once-in-a-generation opportunity to equitably
transform a wide variety of buildings across diverse geographies.
Applications are submitted via Buildings UP on HeroX.
Who should apply?
Buildings UP invites community-based organizations, state and local governments,
Indian tribes, building owners, utilities, non-profit organizations, energy efficiency
program implementers, and other organizations to collaborate and apply through
either the “Open Innovation” or “Equity-Centered Innovation” pathway.
- In the “Equity-Centered Innovation” Pathway, winning teams, which
focus on delivering upgrades to low- and moderate-income homes and other
equity-eligible buildings, will receive $400,000 in cash as well as expert
technical assistance and coaching.
- In the “Open Innovation” Pathway, winning teams will receive $200,000
in cash as well as expert technical assistance and coaching.
Application Support Prize
Opens: January 18, 2023
Closes: When all available funding is awarded
Buildings UP offers a supplemental Application Support Prize for new and under-resourced teams. Up to 50 Application Support Prizes of $5,000 and 10 hours of
technical assistance will be awarded on a rolling basis. This additional money and
technical assistance is meant to encourage applicants who might otherwise not
have the staff capacity, time, or expertise to submit a full Phase 1 submission.
Eligible applicants should act quickly before funding runs out.
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