Iowa Energy Center Grant Program

The Iowa Energy Center Grant Program’s administrative rules can be found in Iowa Administrative Code section 261.404.  You may also request a copy of the administrative rules by sending an email to iecgrants@iowaeda.com.

Applicants must first complete a notice of intent to apply and be invited to complete a full application to be considered for funding. 

Purpose

The IEC Grant program is a competitive program.  Iowa Businesses, colleges and universities, and private nonprofit agencies and foundations are eligible to apply.  The Grant program provides grants to eligible applicants for projects that provide a benefit to Iowa ratepayers. For the purposes of this program, a ratepayer is defined as a customer who pays for an electric or natural gas utility service in the state of Iowa.  Projects must also aid in the implementation of one of the key focus areas of the Iowa Energy Plan:

1) Technology-based Energy Research and Development

2) Energy Workforce Development

3) Support for Rural and Underserved Areas

4) Biomass Conversion

5) Natural Gas Expansion in Underserved Areas

6) Electric Grid Modernization

7) Alternative Fuel Vehicles

 Eligible Applicants

Iowa Businesses, colleges and universities, and private nonprofit agencies and foundations are eligible to apply for Iowa Energy Center grant funds. 

• An eligible applicant may submit an application that includes one or more subrecipients
• An eligible applicant may apply individually or jointly with another eligible or other eligible applicants.
• A principal investigator will be allowed to submit one application per funding announcement.  An applicant who has applied as the principal investigator for a funding announcement may also be named as a co-investigator on additional applications submitted but may not be named as a principal investigator on additional applications.
• A business will be considered an Iowa business if it is incorporated in the State of Iowa or authorized to do business in the State of Iowa.
  • A business that is authorized to do business in the State of Iowa will be required to provide a certificate of authorization during the full application process. 

Eligibility Requirements

• Applicants shall demonstrate a benefit for ratepayers.
• Applicants shall demonstrate that they are eligible candidates.
• Applicants who have previously received Iowa Energy Center awards shall have demonstrated acceptable past performance, including the timely expenditure of funds. 
• Proposals must demonstrate the feasibility of completing the proposed activities with the funds requested.
• Applicants must demonstrate that they have the capacity for grants administration.
• Applicants shall identify and describe any other sources of funding for the proposed activities. 

Ineligible Projects

• Relocation of a business.
• Expansion of a business
• Funding for existing training programs
• Private asset development
• Pipeline, transmission line, and distribution line construction
• First generation ethanol
• Cellulosic ethanol

 Eligible Expenses

Only expenditures directly related to the implementation of the funded grant activity will be reimbursed. Examples of eligible expenses include, but are not limited to:

• Salaries/Wages
• Supplies and Materials
• Domestic Travel
• Tuition
• Equipment purchases, which must be approved by the board at the time the award is made.
• Vehicle purchases, which are eligible only when the purchase of the vehicle is an integral part of the funded grant activity and must be approved by the board at the time the award is made. 

 Ineligible Expenses

Ineligible expenses for Iowa Energy Center grant funds may include, but are not limited to:

• Purchase or rental of buildings
• Office equipment
• Furniture and fixtures
• Intangible assets
• International travel
• Insurance
• Phone expenses

 Other Budget Requirements

• Cost share is required to apply for an Iowa Energy Center Grant.
• Indirect costs cannot exceed more than 20 percent of a grant award
• IEC grant funds cannot be used as cost share to a federal grant award
• Vehicle purchases. Other vehicle-related expenses are not eligible if the purchase or expense supports the proposed grant activity but is not an integral part of the proposed grant activity.  If a vehicle purchase is an integral part of the grant activity but a recipient fails to obtain board approval prior to the purchase, then the vehicle purchase is ineligible.
• For projects where a co-investigator or Sub-recipient is named, a minimum of 51% of grant funds must be directed to activities performed by the Recipient organization.  

Please see the program guide using the links below for more information regarding the application process.
2027-IEG-Handbook.pdf (iowaeda.com)