Tag: grant

Pennsylvania small businesses can now apply for up to $12,000 in grant funding through the 2025–2026 Small Business Advantage Grant Program. This competitive reimbursement grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) supports small, for-profit businesses investing in energy efficiency, pollution prevention, and natural resource protection.

The program opened on August 1, 2025, and applications will be accepted through March 13, 2026, or until funding is exhausted—whichever comes first.

What’s New This Year

• Tiered funding based on project location and environmental impact:

  • Up to 50% of eligible project costs or $7,500 (whichever is less)

  • Up to 65% or $9,750 for projects located in an Environmental Justice (EJ) area or that achieve significant environmental savings

  • Up to 80% or $12,000 for projects that meet both criteria

• Projects must demonstrate at least $500 in annual savings and reduce energy or pollution-related costs by 20 percent. Natural resource protection projects are exempt from the financial savings requirement but must meet specific pollution reduction goals.

Eligible Projects

Eligible project categories include:

• LED lighting upgrades (Energy Star or DLC certified)

• Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) improvements

• High-efficiency boilers and refrigeration systems

• Medical imaging equipment upgrades (x-rays and scanners)

• Truck retrofits to reduce idling or improve aerodynamics

• Agricultural or non-agricultural runoff control or natural resource protection

• Other pollution prevention and energy-saving equipment upgrades

Who Can Apply

To qualify, applicants must:

• Be a for-profit business located in Pennsylvania

• Have 100 or fewer full-time equivalent (FTE) employees, including all affiliates

• Be registered to do business in Pennsylvania and have an SAP Vendor Number

• Be able to pay project costs upfront and apply for reimbursement later

All work must be completed between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online through the Commonwealth’s Electronic Single Application (ESA) system at https://grants.pa.gov. Paper applications are not accepted.

Step-by-step instructions and eligibility checklists are available in the program guidelines.

Need Help?

EMAP can answer simple questions and provide general guidance about the Small Business Advantage Grant program. We are available to help small businesses understand the application process and determine if a project might be eligible.