A final chance to access billions in DOE’s GRIP funding

Transformative organizations that are looking to benefit from the billions of dollars offered by the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program have one final opportunity to cash in.

The GRIP program is a bold initiative by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) aimed at strengthening and modernizing the nation’s power grid against the increasing threats of climate change and extreme weather events.

By investing in innovative technologies and strategies, GRIP funding supports the development of next-generation solutions to enhance grid resilience, reliability and efficiency. With an eye toward a cleaner, more sustainable energy future, the program seeks to equip communities with the tools they need to adapt to an evolving energy landscape.

Understanding the basics of GRIP

GRIP funding presents a significant opportunity for utilities and other organizations that are looking to improve or expand their infrastructure, particularly in the face of looming climate and weather threats.

GRIP has already launched two successful funding rounds, providing $7.6 billion to innovative projects aimed at enhancing grid resilience. Previous rounds have supported a diverse range of initiatives, from advanced grid technologies to new methods of addressing climate-driven disruptions.

Looking ahead, the third and final funding round – featuring an anticipated $2.9 billion in available grants – is focused on scaling these innovations and expanding efforts to integrate renewable energy sources, further boosting the grid's ability to withstand future challenges.

The round three notice of funding announcement is expected to take place this spring, but organizations should begin the planning and scoping process today. Because once the funding announcement occurs, organizations typically only have about two months to create and submit a concept paper – essentially a project summary that allows the DOE to either encourage or discourage the application.

At that point, the full application deadline won’t be far behind (three months). So, in short, the timing is tight, and the process is competitive. You need to have a well-planned project in the works before you even begin the grant application process, if you have any hopes of securing the funding dollars you need.