Grid Resilience Grant Program

The program provides matching grants to improve the resilience and reliability of Michigan’s electric grid using IIJA Section 40101(d) funds. Objectives and priorities include grid hardening against severe weather, growing Michigan’s skilled workforce for grid resilience, and supporting microgrids and other non-wires alternatives. Eligible applicants are Michigan investor-owned, cooperative, and municipal utilities; in 2025, other eligible entities such as transmission owners/operators, electricity storage operators, and fuel suppliers may apply only in partnership with a Michigan utility. Eligible projects include hardening of lines, substations and systems; vegetation and fuel-load management; relocating lines; replacing aging overhead/underground conductors and cables; undergrounding electrical equipment (especially for critical facilities); workforce development activities; and non-wires alternatives including DERs, storage, and microgrids. Applications were submitted online using the required Project Narrative and Budget forms (with Certificate of Indirect Costs as applicable). Proposals were due 04/30/2025 following a posting on 01/13/2025; questions were due 01/31/2025 with responses posted 02/07/2025. Proposals were evaluated on project scope, impact, alignment with program priorities, and implementation, with bonus points for applicants not selected in prior rounds. Awards are reimbursement-based subawards subject to federal requirements; DOE review/acceptance and EGLE grant agreement execution are required before project start.