Massachusetts' Gap Energy Grant Program

Bringing energy-saving results to Massachusetts’ communities through efficiency and clean energy generation upgrades.

Gap Energy Grant - Now accepting Applications

Signup to receive updates on the forthcoming Gap Energy Grant IV  Pre-register to apply for the Gap IV Energy Grant 

Introduction

The 2025 Gap IV Energy Grant Program will award $5 million towards energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. The maximum amount of funds available for any individual grantee is $350,000, and the minimum amount is $75,000.

Under the leadership of MassDEP, the Clean Energy Results Program (CERP) is an integrated energy and environmental partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) that reduces regulatory or other barriers to clean and energy efficient development across the state.  The Gap Grant is a cornerstone of this partnership and is a streamlined energy grant funding model that has helped municipal water utilities reduce their energy usage, operating costs, and improve the environment. The grant is designed to fill the last “gap” in project financing, enabling and encouraging facilities to use energy utility incentives as well as funding from other sources to install selected energy efficiency and clean energy generation projects. In the 2022-2023 round, the Gap III Energy Grant expanded its eligibility to include nonprofit multifamily affordable housing organizations, nonprofit agricultural food producing organizations, and small businesses engaged in food distribution and processing. 

News and Announcements

Gap III Grant Completed Projects Summary - October 1, 2024 

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory: Integrated Water Power Resilience Project Stakeholder Engagement - July 25, 2023

Housing Nantucket Newsletter: MassDEP staff visit Wiggles Way Housing program - August 24, 2023

Nantucket.gov: Surfside Wastewater Treatment Plant Solar Project (PDF)

The Massachusetts’ Gap Energy Grant Program: An innovative funding model for realizing energy benefits in the water sector June 2023 Fact Sheet

Gap IV Energy Grant

MassDEP is making these grant funds available from the agency’s Climate Protection and Mitigation Expendable Trust to fund energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Funding will be provided to the following eligible entities: 

• Publicly-owned (municipal, district, or authority) drinking water and wastewater treatment facilities
• Nonprofit agricultural and food-producing organizations
• Small businesses engaged in food distribution and processing

The request for responses is now available on COMMBUYS (Bid # BD-26-1045-BPE00-BPE01-120045). You must pre-register to apply for this grant opportunity. The deadline for all eligible entities is September 19, 2025 at 5:00 PM EST.

Bidders’ Information Conferences

Please join us for the second Bidders’ Information Conference on September 9, 2025. To register, please complete the e-mail interest form. 

Information for our first Bidders’ Information Conference held on August 20, 2025 is now available. Please find resources below.

• Bidders’ Informational Conference Resources
  • August 20, 2025 Bidders’ Conference recording
  • August 20, 2025 Bidders’ Conference slides
  • August 20, 2025 Bidders’ Conference Q&A Answers

Estimated Procurement Calendar

• Notice of Grant Opportunity (posted on COMMBUYS and MassDEP website): August 15, 2025
• Bidders’ Informational Conference (via Zoom):
  • August 20, 2025 at 10:00 AM EST
  • September 9, 2025 at 10:00 AM EST
  • To obtain dial-in information or the Zoom link for either session, please register. Interested applicants may attend either session, both informational sessions will be recorded.
• Deadline for Submission of Questions to MassDEP:
  • Bidders’ Conference or
  • prior to August 21, 2025 at 5:00 PM EST (following the first Bidders’ Information Conference)
  • prior to September 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM EST (following the second Bidders’ Information Conference)
• Official Answers for Q&A/Amendments published on MassDEP website:
  • Answers to the first Bidders’ Information Conference:  August 25, 2025
  • Answers to the second Bidders’ Information Conference: September 12, 2025
• Grant Application Deadline for all eligible entities: September 19, 2025 at 5:00 PM EST
   

Gap III Energy Grant

News release: $8.1 Million in Gap Energy Grants Awarded to 62 Organizations and Municipal Facilities

Massachusetts GAP III Energy Grant Awardees

Amended Notice & Grant Opportunity Documents

• Amended Notice of Grant Opportunity
• Amended Grant Opportunity 2022-2023

2022-2023 Gap III Grant Documents

• MassDEP Grant Agreement
• Appendix A Application Funding and Overview
• Appendix B Application Authorization
• Attestation forms
  • Appendix B Small Business Eligibility Attestation Form
  • Appendix B Non-Profit Eligibility Attestation Form
• Excel form
  • Appendix C Application Data Tables - for water utilities and small business/non-profit

Bidders' Informational Conference

• GAP III ENERGY GRANT 2022-2023 OPPORTUNITY MassDEP's Official Answers to Questions
• MassDEP 2022 Gap Energy Grant Bidders Conference Attendance

Gap Energy Grant Story Map