CERTs Seed Grant Application Guidelines

• The project must be located in Minnesota. See the map of CERTs seven Minnesota regions.
• 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. If you have questions about eligibility, email us: [email protected].
• Eligible costs include labor.
  • Examples of eligible labor costs include: consultant fees, design professional fees, electrician costs, installer costs, student interns, participation incentives, etc.
  • Not eligible: capital costs or substantial equipment and hardware such as solar panels, wind turbines, windows, etc.
  • If you have questions about eligible costs, email us: [email protected].
• Project must be completed within the funding period — January 1, 2026 to January 12, 2027.
• Preference will be given to proposals that are from, led by, and/or include meaningful participation by historically underserved populations. CERTs defines underserved populations as energy burdened communities — those who spend more than 5% of their income on energy costs — and/or people historically excluded from energy decisions and opportunities. This includes (but is not limited to) Black, Indigenous, people of color, multiracial, immigrant, LGBTQ+, women, low income, disabled, and geographically-isolated communities.

• Payments are made on a reimbursement basis, after the work is completed.
• CERTs cannot fund work that was done before December 2025.
• Projects will submit an Interim Report and a Final Report. CERTs will provide the forms for these reports. Interim Reports are due June 1, 2026. Final Reports are due January 12, 2027.
• Projects can request payment as soon as their projects are done. Projects can also request interim payments when they submit their Interim Report. 50% of the project award can be paid when 50% of the project is complete.
• Invoices will not be paid until reports are received, reviewed, and approved.
• If there has been no progress on the project by the time of the interim report (June  2026), funding may be revoked and reallocated to another project in the same region.
• Projects agree to share results publicly via a story written by CERTs, which they agree to share and promote, as they are able.

CERTs staff do not select or vote on projects. Funds are awarded by Regional CERT Steering Committees in Central, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest, and West Central regions. In the Metro region, a designated Review Committee will select projects.
 

All projects will be evaluated based on statewide criteria. In addition, the Metro region uses supplemental regional criteria, as noted below. Identify your region on our map.

Statewide Criteria

1. Advance community-based clean energy projects. Clean energy can include projects related to energy efficiency and conservation, renewable energy, electric vehicle-related projects, and energy storage.
2. Help people learn about clean energy and/or has high potential to be a replicable model.
3. Engage a variety of community partners.
4. Remove barriers or make clean energy more accessible in communities.
5. Demonstrate clear goals, benchmarks, timelines, and budgets.
6. Result in energy savings or offsets.
7. Project takes place in Minnesota or one of the Tribal nations that share this geography.

Preference will be given to proposals that are from, led by, and/or include meaningful participation by historically underserved populations. CERTs defines underserved populations as energy-burdened communities — those who spend more than 5% of their income on energy costs — and/or people historically excluded from energy decisions and opportunities. This includes (but is not limited to) Black, Indigenous, people of color, multiracial, immigrant, LGBTQ+, women, low income, disabled, and geographically-isolated communities.

Metro CERT will prioritize projects that:

1. Reduce household energy burden, primarily through energy efficiency, conservation, electrification, or renewable energy.
2. Educate about or pilot a beneficial electrification project in communities with low adoption rates.

And meets at least one of the following:

1. Incorporates workforce development opportunities.
2. Incorporates innovative outreach/communications and/or hands-on educational experiences.
3. Is located in outer metro communities AND/OR located in energy-burdened communities.

CERTs will provide a template for the Interim Report (due June 1, 2026) and Final Report (due January 12, 2027). You must show progress on your project by noting it in your Interim Report or your funding may be revoked. 

If you have an idea, or even if you feel like this could be an opportunity, but don’t yet have a concrete idea, please contact us! Staff are available to help you with your application. Contact us: [email protected].