SAINT PAUL, MN: The Minnesota Commerce Department’s State Competitiveness Fund (SCF) Matching Funds Program is again accepting applications from Minnesota businesses, nonprofits, Tribes and other organizations pursuing federal clean energy grants that require or would benefit from matching funds. Proposals are due by January 17, 2025. Commerce, through its Energy Resources Division, also provides technical assistance to support applicants pursuing federal grants. 

“To date, nearly $11 million in SCF Matchings Funds has leveraged more than $60 million in federal funding, bringing benefits to communities across our state now and into the future,” said Commerce Deputy Commissioner of Energy Resources Pete Wyckoff. “We are excited to offer this new round of funding to encourage more Minnesota communities to pursue federal funding.” 

This is the fourth call by Commerce for applications. Proposals requesting less than $1 million in state funds will be accepted during this round. Reports on previous fund awards are on Commerce’s website and have been filed with the Legislature. 

The SCF Matching Fund Program was established in 2023 to provide awards for eligible entities applying for federal funding from the Infrastructure and Investment Jobs Act (IIJA or the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law or BIL) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The program aims to increase the competitiveness of Minnesotan entities seeking to secure federal funding by offering state matching funds. More than $80 million in SCF Matching Funds have been reserved for 99 entities, with awards to reserve funds averaging about $1.5 million and ranging from $29,000 to $10 million. Once a federal grant application is confirmed as successful, the reserved state funds are released to the grant awardee. 

More on the State Competitiveness Fund can be found here. 

Connect with the Minnesota Commerce Department
Get updates and news from the Minnesota Department of Commerce by following Commerce at mn.gov/commerce or @MNCommerce on social media.

Contact
Mo Schriner
Minnesota Department of Commerce
651-363-1227
mo.schriner@state.mn.us