Energy Challenge Prize
Forecasted
Energy Challenge Prize supports businesses, nonprofits, local governments, universities, and other entities with funding for innovative solutions to an energy problem the Maryland Energy Administration will announce.
Funder: Maryland Energy Administration
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2026 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Competitive prize funding; award amounts and prize structure have not been announced
Summary: Supports promising, innovative solutions to a specific energy challenge that MEA will announce.
Key Information: Projects must be located in Maryland or directly benefit a Maryland resident, business, community, campus, or facility.
Description
The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) lists this competitive prize under the Innovation Challenge category of its fiscal year 2027 programs. It will offer funding to entities proposing the most promising and innovative solutions to a specific problem. MEA will announce the problem later, establishing the challenge’s substantive focus. The target audience is open, including businesses, nonprofits, local governments, higher education institutions, and other entities.
The prize sits within MEA’s broader portfolio supporting reduced energy use, renewable energy, climate action, and green jobs. These goals provide context rather than a defined set of prize-specific priorities. The upcoming-program notice is for planning purposes: program names, details, and availability may change with final design and stakeholder feedback. The individual Funding Opportunity Announcement will establish specific program requirements.
