RD-RUS-HECG25: High Energy Cost Grants
Closed
This grant is closed. Who won this program's grants before is below, and similar open grants are at the end of the page. It is in our archive of Rural Utilities Service notices from 2024.
Rural Utilities Service offered grants of up to $3.0 million (at least $100,000) to any type of organization. It expected to make about 10 awards worth $10.0 million in total. Applications closed on February 28, 2025.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed December 30, 2024. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$3.0 million
- Award floor$100,000
- Total funding$10.0 million
- Expected awards10
- Cost sharingNot required
- Funding typeGrant
Key dates
| Posted | December 30, 2024 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | February 28, 2025 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | March 30, 2025 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to any type of organization.
All 17 applicant types the notice lists
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Individuals
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
- Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility"
Grants are for projects that serve an eligible community; grants are not for the benefit of individuals or a single business. Individuals may apply on behalf of entities not yet incorporated but awards will not be made directly to individuals. Applicants must be located in the United States, a U.S. Territory or other area authorized by law to participate in programs of the Rural Utilities Service or under the Rural Electrification Act.
Is this a realistic fit?
- Past Assistance to High Energy Cost Communities awards averaged $1.7 million; this notice allows up to $3.0 million per award.
- No cost sharing or match is required.
What the grant funds
The Rural Utilities Service (RUS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announces a notice of funding opportunity, subject to appropriation, of up to $10 million in competitive grants to assist communities with extremely high energy costs. The grant funds may be used to acquire, construct, or improve energy generation, transmission, or distribution facilities serving communities where the average annual residential expenditure for home energy exceeds 275% of the national average. Eligible projects also include on-grid and off-grid renewable energy projects and the implementation of energy efficiency and energy conservation projects for eligible communities. Projects cannot be for the primary benefit of a single household or business. Grant funds may not be used for the preparation of the grant application, operating costs, or for the purchase of any equipment, structures, or real estate not directly associated with the provision of community energy services.
Who has won Assistance to High Energy Cost Communities grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Assistance to High Energy Cost Communities (10.859) awarded $41.7 million across 24 grant awards, an average of $1.7 million per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska Energy Authority | Alaska | 3 | $8.0 million |
| Alaska Village Electric Cooperative Inc. | Alaska | 3 | $4.2 million |
| City of Tenakee Springs | Alaska | 1 | $3.0 million |
| Native Village of Port Heiden | Alaska | 1 | $3.0 million |
| City of Nome | Alaska | 1 | $2.9 million |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Agencies often post the same opportunity again under a new number, so check the program's notices on Grants.gov and the similar open grants below.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is RD-RUS-HECG25 still open?
No. It closed on February 28, 2025.
Who can apply for High Energy Cost Grants?
Rural Utilities Service accepted applications from any type of organization. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for High Energy Cost Grants?
Closed February 28, 2025. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.
How much funding is available?
Awards of up to $3.0 million each. About $10.0 million in total across about 10 awards.
Who has won Assistance to High Energy Cost Communities grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Alaska Energy Authority, Alaska Village Electric Cooperative Inc., City of Tenakee Springs. The program made 24 awards worth $41.7 million in that time.
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