The Department of Energy (DOE) is hosting a Buildings UP information session exclusively for HUD stakeholders on March 30th from 3:30-4:30pm ET. This webinar will provide an overview of the prize and its application submission process.
Buildings UP Information Session for HUD Stakeholders
March 30th 3:30-4:30pm ET
Register for the webinar here.
Welcome to Buildings UP! The Buildings Upgrade Prize (Buildings UP) is an
ambitious initiative by the U.S. Department of Energy Building Technologies Office
to build capacity to accelerate equitable, widespread energy efficiency and efficient
electrification building upgrades across the country. More information about this
competitive prize can be found by following Buildings UP on HeroX.
About the Buildings Upgrade Prize
Buildings UP provides more than $22 million in cash prizes and technical assistance
to support the transformation of existing U.S. buildings into more energy-efficient and
clean energy-ready homes, commercial spaces, and communities. Buildings UP is an
American-Made Challenge funded by the U.S. Department of Energy Building
Technologies Office and administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
Upgrades may include transitioning to efficient electric equipment, including heat
pumps and heat pump water heaters, and improving building efficiency through
measures such as insulation and air sealing. Together, efforts will help reduce carbon
emissions and energy costs while improving indoor air quality and occupant comfort.
The Department of Energy’s official press release can be found here and official
announcement video can be found here. Follow #BuildingsUP on Twitter, LinkedIn,
Facebook, and Instagram for more prize-related information and updates.
Application Process
Opens: February 18, 2023
Closes: July 18, 2023
During Phase 1 of Buildings UP, teams will submit innovative concepts to leverage
the billions of dollars available through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the
Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), utility rebate programs, and many other funding
sources, capitalizing on this once-in-a-generation opportunity to equitably transform a
wide variety of buildings across diverse geographies.
Applications are submitted via Buildings UP on HeroX.
Who should apply?
Buildings UP invites community-based organizations, state and local governments,
Indian tribes, building owners, utilities, non-profit organizations, energy efficiency
program implementers, and other organizations to collaborate and apply through
either the “Open Innovation” or “Equity-Centered Innovation” pathway.
- In the “Equity-Centered Innovation” Pathway, winning teams, which focus
on delivering upgrades to low- and moderate-income homes and other equity eligible buildings, will receive $400,000 in cash as well as expert technical
assistance and coaching. - In the “Open Innovation” Pathway, winning teams will receive $200,000 in
cash as well as expert technical assistance and coaching.
Application Support Prize
Opens: January 18, 2023
Closes: When all available funding is awarded
Buildings UP offers a supplemental Application Support Prize for new and under resourced teams. Up to 50 Application Support Prizes of $5,000 and 10 hours of
technical assistance will be awarded on a rolling basis. This additional money and
technical assistance is meant to encourage applicants who might otherwise not have
the staff capacity, time, or expertise to submit a full Phase 1 submission. Eligible
applicants should act quickly before funding runs out.