Smart Grid Grants is designed to increase the flexibility, efficiency, and reliability of the electric power system, with particular focus on: 

• Increasing capacity of the transmission system  
• Preventing faults that may lead to wildfires or other system disturbances 
• Integrating renewable energy at the transmission and distribution levels 
• Facilitating the integration of increasing electrified vehicles, buildings, and other grid-edge devices  

Smart grid technologies funded and deployed at scale through this program must demonstrate a pathway to wider market adoption. The Smart Grid Grant program will invest up to $3 billion ($600 million/year for Fiscal Years 2022-2026) in grid resilience technologies and solutions.

On November 18, 2022, GDO released a Funding Opportunity Announcement for the Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) Program, including the Smart Grid Grants. Concept papers were due by December 16, 2022. A public webinar was held on November 29, 2022.

This program is open to domestic entities including institutions of higher education; for-profit entities; non-profit entities; and state and local governmental entities, and tribal nations. 

The Smart Grid Grants Program was previously funded by the Recovery Act of 2009. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law expands on the existing program. 

Visit the Grid and Transmission Program Conductor for additional information to help identify which financing program is most appropriate for individual projects.