The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced selections for the 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize and Grant, a three-phase, $190 million investment to help K-12 public schools make energy upgrades that will decrease energy use and costs, improve indoor air quality, and foster healthier learning environments for students and teachers. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this new round of funding builds on $178 million in grants awarded in 2023.
For 2024, the DOE identified 21 phase-one winners who will earn a $300,000 cash prize for their work building teams and identifying facilities with compelling needs for improvements. In addition, 16 of these prize winners will advance to the next phases and enter cooperative agreements with the DOE for up to $15 million in awards, with plans to invest in 320 school facilities across 25 states and directly benefitting over 123,000 students and 9,100 teachers.
“Schools are the centers of our communities, and the need for investment in our children’s learning environments is key to ensure their overall well-being and ultimate success,” said U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “With today’s funding, DOE is creating new pathways for districts and partners so thousands of students can learn in safe, sustainable schools creating a healthy environment for all.”
The 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize and Grant will support energy improvement projects like new HVAC systems, building envelope and lighting upgrades, alternative fuel (such as electric) vehicles and infrastructure, and renewable energy technologies. The program funding also furthers the Biden-Harris administration’s Justice40 Initiative to support disadvantaged communities.
The DOE recognizes the significant impacts of healthy and safe facilities for students, teachers, and administrators. Poor indoor environmental quality can increase illnesses and absences and decrease academic performance; lighting influences cognition and academic performance, and so does thermal comfort. Over the past decade, the combination of temperature increases and either poorly equipped or poorly maintained energy infrastructure has doubled the frequency of school closures due to heat in many areas of the country, creating health and economic ripple effects for entire communities.
The 16 selectees are partnering with over 100 entities, including subrecipient local educational agencies (LEAs), consultants, energy service companies, utility companies, state and local government offices, financing partners, labor unions, and federally funded research and development centers. Overall, 55 LEAs will benefit from these funds.
Selectees for Prize & Cooperative Agreement:
- Alaska Municipal League & 3 LEAs (AK)
- Canton City School District (OH)
- Charter Schools Development Corporation & 13 LEAs (AZ, GA, IN, MI, MN, MO, NM, NY, NV, OH)
- Irvington Public Schools (NJ)
- Little Rock School District (AR)
- Lowell Public Schools (MA)
- Marion County School District (SC)
- Miami-Dade County Public Schools (FL)
- Omni Energy Partners LLC & 9 LEAs (IL)
- Oregon Department of Education & 7 LEAs (OR)
- Pittsburgh Public Schools & 1 LEA (PA)
- Raza Development Fund, Inc & 11 LEAs (AZ, CA, MN, NM, TX, NY, WA)
- Richmond Public Schools (VA)
- Rockingham County Schools (NC)
- Saint Louis Public Schools (MO)
- Wichita Public Schools (KS)
Prize Winners:
- Broward County Public Schools (FL)
- Chicago Public Schools (IL)
- Hoke County Schools (NC)
- School District of Philadelphia (PA)
- West Kentucky Educational Cooperative (KY)
Visit the 2024 Renew America’s Schools Prize and Grant webpage to learn more about winners and selectees. The DOE anticipates opening applications for a third round of funding in fall 2025.
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