News

Minnesota GreenCorps is now accepting applications from organizations interested in hosting an AmeriCorps member for the 2026-27 program year. Applications are due March 24.

The Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources' 2027 Request for Proposal for funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund was issued on January 7, 2026.  Approximately $121 million is available from the lottery-generated fund through this RFP for projects beginning July 1, 2027. Proposals are due by 4:30 PM on March 18, 2026.

The Food Retail Improvement and Development: Retailer Equipment and Infrastructure Grants help grocery stores and small food retailers make physical improvements and purchase equipment to stimulate sales of affordable, nutritious, and culturally appropriate foods.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources seeks applications from qualified Minnesota schools for the Solar for Schools Grant Program.

CERTs is a statewide partnership with a shared mission to connect Minnesotans to the resources they need to identify and implement community-based clean energy. That means that we spend a lot of time talking about things like heat pumps and weatherization and renewable energy. But today, we want to talk about one of the other words in our mission: community.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency seeks public, private, and nonprofit owners of fossil fuel on-road and off-road equipment and vehicles that are used within food systems in Minnesota to apply to this competitive grant opportunity to partially fund new, cleaner versions of these equipment and vehicles. 

The Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships at the University of Minnesota Extension wants to hear your ideas to advance sustainability within your area!

A note from CERTs Co-Directors to close out 2025.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce is seeking proposals from residential energy contractors for its Training for Residential Energy Contractors grant program, which aims to increase the number of skilled contractors for home energy efficiency upgrades. 

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency is offering approximately $135,000 in grant funding to help businesses and organizations purchase bicycles and electric-assisted bicycles for commercial use. 

The Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships announced a new round of funding for Minnesota farmers to take on climate adaptation and mitigation projects, due Jan. 2.

This fall, Olivia Siebert joined the Metro CERT squad at the Great Plains Institute as our newest Minnesota GreenCorps member!

New round of State Competitive Fund Matching Funds reflect expanded amount of eligible federal awards.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce seeks proposals from local units of government in designated counties for energy efficiency and conservation planning grants.

Tribes, cities, counties, and other local governments can apply by Dec. 11, 2025.

Power-up your clean energy journey with a chance to win a portable solar panel charger. Take the steps to becoming a CERTified Community Energy Ambassador and you could win!
 

Our new tool helps you discover programs that can help pay for clean energy projects in Minnesota. 

As you think about what kind of seeds you want to plant – remember, CERTs Seed Grant applications are due October 1 – you can enjoy some stories of impactful past projects by Minnesota communities.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce seeks proposals from qualified applicants throughout Minnesota for the Electric School Bus Grant Program.

Deloitte is hosting a series of webinars with the municipalities within the State of MN to provide an overview of the IRA and how they can take advantage of the assistance Deloitte has been hired to provide.

The MN Department of Commerce's Solar on Public Buildings Grant Program is now available throughout Minnesota with $15 million available.

The federal bill H.R. 1 was signed earlier in July and changed many of the clean energy incentives brought about or expanded by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. Here's what we know and what we're following to learn more.
 

Power-up your clean energy journey with a chance to win a portable solar panel charger. Take the steps to becoming a CERTified Community Energy Ambassador and you could win!
 

Get the scoop on staff travels across Minnesota this summer, plus an update on IRA incentives, as well as the latest clean energy news, events, and opportunities in Minnesota!