All funds for the Minnesota Air Ventilation Pilot Grant Program (HVAC Pilot Grant Program) have been claimed. Commerce is no longer taking new applications.

The HVAC Pilot Grant Program was designed to improve the health and safety of school communities, improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from existing HVAC system conditions. The HVAC Program was created by the state legislature in Minn. Stats. Sec. 123B.662 and 123B.663.

Air Ventilation Pilot Grant Program Status

The Minnesota Department of Commerce sought proposals from eligible schools throughout Minnesota for the HVAC Pilot Grant Program. This grant opportunity was available through December 31, 2025.

Here are important items Minnesotans should know about the Air Ventilation Pilot Grant Program:

  • There are 20 schools participating in Minnesota’s Air Ventilation Pilot Grant Program.
  • The Program was designed to alleviate the financial and energy burdens on schools, and prioritized schools based on federal Title I funding.
  • $1,000,000 was appropriated by the state legislature to the HVAC Pilot Grant Program in 2023, and since that time all funds have been awarded to schools.
  • Grants may be used to reimburse a qualified entity for up to 50 percent of its total project cost but may not exceed $50,000 per school.
  • A public-school board may have applied on behalf of multiple schools within a district and thus be eligible for more than $50,000 in grants funds, though these schools must rank higher in priority than other school’s projects.
  • Eligible costs included those incurred for the following activities:
    • Assessment Report
    • HVAC Verification Report
    • Engineering Report
    • Testing, Adjustment, and Balancing
    • Health, Safety, and Efficiency Improvements
    • HVAC Upgrades
    • Greenhouse Gas Reduction Measures
    • Other Projects

An Assessment Report, Engineering Report and HVAC Verification Report were required elements for participating in the HVAC Pilot Grant Program. The Assessment Report requirement can be met by Applicant if it can demonstrate an Assessment Report has previously been prepared in accordance with HVAC Program Standards.

Additional information can be found in Minnesota State Statute 123B.663.

If you have any questions, contact the Commerce Energy Information Center (energy.info@state.mn.us, 651-539-1886, or 800-657-3710) and mention that you are inquiring about the HVAC Pilot Grant program for schools.