CERTs Seed Grants

The main goals of this funding are to: 

• Support community-based clean energy projects in each Minnesota CERT region. Clean energy projects can include energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy, electric vehicle-related projects, and energy storage.
• Encourage projects that are highly visible in the community and can be an example for other communities.
• We are especially looking for projects that:
  • Help people learn about clean energy.
  • Build community by engaging a variety of community partners.
  • Remove barriers, making clean energy more accessible for everyone.

Each region has its own pool of funding and its own steering committee that selects projects for funding. 

Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to nonprofit organizations, community-based organizations, local governments, tribal nations, schools, libraries, civic associations, religious institutions, service clubs, student groups, business associations, cooperatives, food shelves, shelters, and for-profit entities if the project has a public purpose. The project must be located in Minnesota or the 11 Tribal nations that share geography with Minnesota. 

If you have a project idea that might be a fit for future seed grant rounds, contact us! Email us: [email protected].

• Aug. 2025: CERTs issues the application guidelines and begins accepting applications.
• Aug. - Oct. 1, 2025: CERTs staff available to assist applicants with seed grant ideas, questions and applications.
• Oct. 1, 2025 at noon: Application deadline.
• Oct. - Nov. 2025: Regional CERT Steering Committees review applications and meet to determine project funding.
• Dec. 2025: CERTs notifies applicants of funding decisions and paperwork needed to complete the contract.
  • Once the contract is complete, organizations will receive an email notifying them that they can begin work.
• Jan. 2026: CERTs’ public announcement of awards.
• June 1, 2026: Interim report due. Projects may submit an interim invoice for up to 50% of the full project award, if 50% of project is complete. Any project that has not begun work may have funding revoked. Funds will be redirected to other project(s) in the region.
• Jan. 12, 2027: Project work must be completed. Final Invoice and Final Report are due (Final Report form will be provided by CERTs).
• Upon project completion: CERTs will work with seed grant recipients to produce the project story.