Sponsorship Program

The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) Energy Unit offers grants through the Sponsorship Program to improve energy knowledge and awareness statewide. The program supports Governor Gretchen Whitmer's climate priorities and the MI Healthy Climate Plan by advancing energy education, driving down installed costs for clean energy, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency, renewable energy, and sustainability initiatives.

Eligible applicants are Michigan-based local governments, tribal governments, 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) non-profit organizations, and small businesses with fewer than 500 employees. Eligible entities must obtain an active SAM.gov UEI number and register with SIGMA VSS. Projects involving infrastructure, construction, or ground disturbance must comply with Davis-Bacon prevailing wages, Build America Buy America Act (BABA) requirements, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) provisions, and State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) Section 106 reviews where applicable.

Eligible activities must focus on energy management, energy efficiency, electrification, energy storage, or renewable energy in Michigan. Supported project types include workshops, conferences, trainings, seminars, competitions, small technology demonstrations, stakeholder engagement, and energy research. Projects are ineligible if they take place outside Michigan, demonstrate non-commercially available equipment, restrict transferability of results, or require unapproved NEPA environmental assessments.

Applications must be completed and submitted through the online application portal, accompanied by an Approved Budget Form and itemized budget narrative, outside audit or financial statements, and relevant compliance attachments. For events, applications should be submitted at least 90 days prior to the first event. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until 5:00 p.m. ET on April 30, 2025, or until funding is depleted, and awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis.