Air Ventilation Pilot Grants

Current information (4/9/2024): The Minnesota Air Ventilation Pilot Grant Program (HVAC Program) is designed to improve the health and safety of school communities, improve energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from base-line HVAC system conditions. The HVAC Program was created by the state legislature in Minn. Stats. §§ 123B.662 and 123B.663.

Notice of Request for Proposals

The Minnesota Department of Commerce seeks proposals from eligible schools (Applicants) throughout Minnesota for the HVAC Pilot Grant Program. The funding application process is comprised of three stages: 1) a School Readiness Questionnaire (Questionnaire), 2) a School Readiness Questionnaire Report (Report), and 3) an Application for Award. The Questionnaire is due May 17, 2024. The Department will provide the Report by email to all Applicants after receiving the questionnaire. Required forms and detailed information are available for download on the Department’s website (https://mn.gov/commerce/business/rfp.jsp). 

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

• A core principle of the HVAC Program is to alleviate the energy and financial burden of schools, and prioritize schools based on federal Title I funding.
• $1,000,000 is available to the HVAC Program as a one-time appropriation to the Department. 
• 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 apply on behalf of multiple schools within a district and thus be eligible for more than $50,000 in grant funds, though it must rank schools in order of priority.
• There will be at least one (1) RFP funding round until appropriated program funds are encumbered or expended.
• Eligible costs include those incurred for the following activities:
  • Assessment Report
  • HVAC Verification Report
  • Engineering Report
  • Testing, Adjustments, and Balancing:
  • Health, Safety, and Efficiency Improvements
  • HVAC Upgrades
  • Greenhouse Gas Reduction Measures
  • Other Projects

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

Please note that while these funds are limited, an eligible entity may also utilize funds awarded from federal programs towards total project cost in addition to the grant available under this HVAC Program.

Additional information about this program can be found in Minnesota Laws Chapter 60, Article 12, Section 8.