The Maryland Energy Administration has announced the tenth annual open application period for two grant programs aimed at moving forward Maryland’s offshore wind energy industry. The Maryland Offshore Wind Education & Workforce Program and the Maryland Offshore Wind Supply Chain Investment Program will have a combined Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) budget of $5 million.
Maryland Offshore Wind Education & Workforce Program
With a funding pool of $3 million for FY25, this program focuses on two areas:
1. Industry Education: Grants up to $500,000 are available for nonprofits, government, public institutions, or emerging businesses to develop or expand general offshore wind education programs, covering up to 75% of project costs.
2. Workforce Training: Similar grants and coverage are available for developing or expanding non-certification oriented offshore wind training programs.
Maryland Offshore Wind Supply Chain Investment Program
This program has $2 million in funding for FY25, focusing on:
1. Capital Expenditures: Grants up to $400,000, covering up to 50% of project costs, are available for offsetting capital expenditures to enter the offshore wind industry.
2. Industry Events: Grants up to $5,000 are available for attending eligible offshore wind industry events.
The application deadline for the Education & Workforce Program is November 29, 2024, while the Supply Chain Investment Program is open until December 15, 2024.
