Opportunity Information: Apply for DOS CRI GR002
Apply for DOS CRI GR002
- The U.S. Mission to Costa Rica in the energy environment sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Smart Grid / Renewable Energy Pilot Projects Costa Rica" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 00.000 Not Elsewhere Classified.
- This funding opportunity was created on Aug 10, 2010 and posted on Aug 10, 2010.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 3, 2010. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $160,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $160,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Eligibility is limited to not for profit organizations subject to 501 (c) (3) of the U.S. tax code or comparable provisions in the home country of non U.S. applicants.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Smart Grid / Renewable Energy Pilot Projects - Costa Rica opportunity was a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Mission to Costa Rica through the U.S. Department of State Regional Environmental Hub for Central America and the Caribbean, based at the U.S. Embassy in San Jose. It sought proposals for pilot projects that demonstrate, in real-world settings, how smart grid technologies can work together with small-scale renewable energy systems. The overall intent was not just to fund a technology demonstration, but to create visible, practical examples that could help decision-makers understand the benefits of modern grid approaches and distributed renewables, and ultimately encourage policy and regulatory changes that make it easier to invest in clean energy, energy efficiency, and smart grid systems in Costa Rica and the broader region.
The Hub planned to support up to two pilot projects in specific Costa Rican locations: one in the Greater San Jose metropolitan area and another in the Guanacaste region. Funding was structured to allow either two separate awards of up to $80,000 each (one per region) or a single award of up to $160,000 to one applicant that would implement projects in both regions. The estimated total funding available was $160,000, with an award ceiling of $160,000. Cost sharing or matching was not required, which reduced barriers for eligible nonprofits to apply.
This solicitation was issued under the Energy and Environmental Security Initiative (EESI), which the Hub was implementing as part of the broader Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA) announced at the April 2009 Summit of the Americas. Within that context, the pilots were meant to do more than prove technical feasibility. They were intended to highlight existing and emerging solutions and to spotlight practical ways that local, national, and regional authorities could reduce or remove long-standing regulatory and legislative hurdles that slow down investment in clean energy infrastructure. A strong proposal, therefore, would likely blend technical design with a clear plan for how lessons learned would be communicated to stakeholders who influence energy policy and market rules.
Applicants were encouraged to take innovative approaches that combine technology deployment with public education and outreach, especially efforts aimed at policymakers. The Hub also encouraged partnerships with relevant public entities and/or private-sector organizations, suggesting that collaboration with utilities, municipalities, energy regulators, technology providers, universities, or community organizations could strengthen implementation and improve the chances that the pilots would be sustained or replicated after the grant period ends.
Eligibility was limited to nonprofit organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code, or comparable nonprofit provisions for non-U.S. applicants. The funding instrument type was a grant, and the activity categories were energy and environment. The opportunity was posted on August 10, 2010, with an application deadline of September 3, 2010, and it was later archived on October 3, 2010. The funding opportunity number was DOS CRI GR002. For access issues or questions at the time, the listed contact was Timothy Lattimer, Regional Environmental Officer at the U.S. Embassy in San Jose (phone: 506 2519 2392).
FAQs: Smart Grid / Renewable Energy Pilot Projects - Costa Rica (DOS CRI GR002)
What is the Smart Grid / Renewable Energy Pilot Projects - Costa Rica opportunity?
This was a discretionary grant competition run by the U.S. Mission to Costa Rica through the U.S. Department of State Regional Environmental Hub for Central America and the Caribbean (based at the U.S. Embassy in San Jose). It sought pilot projects that demonstrate, in real-world settings, how smart grid technologies can work together with small-scale renewable energy systems.
What was the main purpose of the grant competition?
The goal was not only to fund technology demonstrations, but to create visible, practical examples that help decision-makers understand modern grid approaches and distributed renewables. The pilots were intended to encourage policy and regulatory changes that make it easier to invest in clean energy, energy efficiency, and smart grid systems in Costa Rica and the broader region.
Who administered the opportunity?
The opportunity was administered by the U.S. Mission to Costa Rica through the U.S. Department of State Regional Environmental Hub for Central America and the Caribbean, located at the U.S. Embassy in San Jose.
What kinds of projects were being requested?
Proposals were requested for pilot projects that integrate smart grid technologies with small-scale renewable energy systems and demonstrate how they can work together in real-world conditions.
Was this solicitation focused only on technical feasibility?
No. The pilots were meant to go beyond proving technical feasibility by highlighting practical solutions and drawing attention to regulatory and legislative hurdles that slow clean energy investment. Strong proposals were expected to pair technical design with a plan to communicate lessons learned to stakeholders who influence energy policy and market rules.
Where were the pilot projects expected to take place?
The Hub planned to support up to two pilot projects in specific locations in Costa Rica: one in the Greater San Jose metropolitan area and another in the Guanacaste region.
How many awards were expected?
Funding was structured to support either (a) two separate awards (one per region) or (b) a single award to one applicant implementing projects in both regions.
What was the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling was $160,000.
How much funding was available per project/region?
The structure allowed up to two separate awards of up to $80,000 each (one for the Greater San Jose area and one for Guanacaste), or a single award of up to $160,000 covering both regions.
What was the estimated total funding available under this opportunity?
The estimated total funding available was $160,000.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. Cost sharing or matching was not required.
What type of funding instrument was used?
The funding instrument type was a grant.
What were the activity categories for this grant?
The activity categories were energy and environment.
What larger initiative or program did this solicitation fall under?
This solicitation was issued under the Energy and Environmental Security Initiative (EESI), which the Hub was implementing as part of the broader Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA) announced at the April 2009 Summit of the Americas.
What did the funder want applicants to emphasize besides technology deployment?
Applicants were encouraged to take innovative approaches that combine deployment with public education and outreach, especially efforts aimed at policymakers. Proposals were also expected to include a credible plan to share results and lessons learned with audiences that shape policy and regulatory decisions.
Were partnerships encouraged?
Yes. The Hub encouraged partnerships with relevant public entities and/or private-sector organizations, since collaboration could strengthen implementation and improve the likelihood the pilots would be sustained or replicated after the grant period.
What types of partners were suggested?
The solicitation suggested partnerships could include utilities, municipalities, energy regulators, technology providers, universities, or community organizations.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was limited to nonprofit organizations recognized under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code, or comparable nonprofit provisions for non-U.S. applicants.
Could non-U.S. organizations apply?
Yes, as long as they qualified under comparable nonprofit provisions (equivalent to U.S. 501(c)(3) status).
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on August 10, 2010.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline was September 3, 2010.
When was the opportunity archived?
The opportunity was archived on October 3, 2010.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number was DOS CRI GR002.
Who was the contact person for questions or access issues?
The listed contact was Timothy Lattimer, Regional Environmental Officer at the U.S. Embassy in San Jose.
How could applicants contact the listed point of contact?
The phone number provided for the contact was 506 2519 2392.
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