Green and Environmental Grants

The landscape of "green grants" in 2026 looks very different than it did a few years ago. Major federal incentives for residential clean energy and home efficiency have either expired or been substantially reduced, and many EPA environmental justice grants have been terminated or are in legal dispute. This page tries to lay out what's still real and where to look — but it's a fast-moving area, so verify current status before counting on any specific program.

What changed in 2025–2026

Two of the most-used federal incentives for homeowners expired on December 31, 2025:

• Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (Section 25C) — covered insulation, air sealing, windows, doors, and HVAC. Expired. Only improvements installed and placed in service by Dec 31, 2025 qualify.
• Residential Clean Energy Credit (Section 25D) — covered solar panels, battery storage, and other clean energy systems. Expired. Only projects completed and operational by end of 2025 qualify.

The New Energy Efficient Home Credit (Section 45L) for builders and the Section 179D commercial buildings deduction are set to expire after June 30, 2026.

If you're a homeowner who installed eligible upgrades in 2025, file IRS Form 5695 with your 2025 return to claim those credits. The official IRS guidance is at irs.gov/credits-and-deductions/individuals/residential-clean-energy-credit.

What's still available for homeowners

• Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) — Department of Energy program that pays for energy efficiency upgrades for low-income households. Free to qualifying homeowners and renters. Apply through your state's WAP office.
• LIHEAP — primarily heating and cooling bill assistance, but some states use LIHEAP funds for efficiency upgrades too
• State and utility rebates — many states and utilities still offer rebates on heat pumps, EVs, insulation, and solar. Check your state energy office and your utility's website.
• USDA Section 504 Home Repair Grants — up to $10,000 for very-low-income elderly rural homeowners to remove health and safety hazards (including some efficiency-related issues)

EPA grants for organizations

The EPA awards grants to states, tribes, nonprofits, local governments, and universities — not generally to individuals. Major programs include:

• Environmental Justice Small Grants — up to $100,000 for community-based nonprofits addressing local environmental issues
• Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving — larger awards for partnership projects
• Brownfields grants — for assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites
• Environmental Education grants — for K–12 and community environmental education

Several IRA-funded EPA programs (Community Change Grants, Solar for All) have had grants terminated and are in active litigation. Check current program status at epa.gov/grants before applying.

USDA conservation and rural energy programs

• Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) — grants and loan guarantees for agricultural producers and rural small businesses installing renewable energy systems or making efficiency improvements
• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) — payments to farmers and ranchers for conservation practices
• Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) — for ongoing conservation work on agricultural land

Where to find current opportunities

• Grants.gov — all federal grant opportunities, filterable by environment, energy, agriculture
• EPA Grants — current EPA funding announcements
• DOE Energy.gov funding — Department of Energy programs
• DSIRE database — comprehensive state-by-state list of clean energy incentives, rebates, and policies (run by NC State University)