The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is excited to announce the Maryland Offshore Wind Supply Chain Investment Program (the Program) for Fiscal Year 2024. The Program is an extension of MEA’s historical Maryland Offshore Wind Capital Expenditure Program and provides grant funding on a non-competitive basis to support new or existing businesses entering the offshore wind supply chain in Maryland. The program has multiple Areas of Interest (AOI) including:
- AOI 1: Market Entry Report and Planning
- AOI 2: Capital Expenditures
- AOI 3: Industry Events
All AOIs under the SCIP are non-competitive. Applications will be accepted on a first come-first serve basis until March 1, 2024 or until all program funding has been awarded.
Proposals must come from organizations interested in entering the offshore wind industry and are able to contribute to Maryland’s offshore wind supply chain and workforce through their industry participation. Offshore wind is a growing clean-energy industry in Maryland, and proposals should assist new or existing businesses to enter the state’s offshore wind supply chain. MEA will also consider applications from businesses willing to relocate or expand into Maryland contingent upon receiving a grant award.
MEA understands there are environmental impacts and climate risks that disproportionately impact historically disenfranchised groups and strongly encourages members of these groups to apply to the program.
Program Overview:
 Maryland Offshore Wind Supply Chain Investment Program Overview
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Area of Interest | Description | Program Documents |
Market Entry Report and Planning
| Funds are provided under AOI 1 to help offset the costs of retaining a consultant to develop a market entry plan for eligible businesses looking to enter the offshore wind industry. These activities include helping the business determine 1) the offshore wind business opportunities present 2) targeted level of sales, 3) the specific product or service for export, 4) the target market, 5) major milestones and a timeline for completion, and 6) a budget and available resources for achieving these goals. See the AOI 1 FOA for full details and requirements. | Funding Announcement |
FY24 SCIP Market Entry AOI 1 Extended Deadline |
Application Portal |
https://form.jotform.com/232828524692161 |
Project Narrative Template
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 SCIP AOI 1 Application Template
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Capital Expenditures
| Funds are provided under AOI 2 to help offset the capital expenditures needed for the organization to enter the offshore wind industry as detailed in their Market Entry Report. Eligible expenses include: 1. Relocation costs, new construction of real property, and renovations to existing real property; and, 2. Purchase and installation of equipment at a new or existing real property(s). See AOI 2 FOA for full details and requirements. | Funding Announcement |
FY24 SCIP AOI 2 CapEx Extended Deadline |
Application Portal |
https://form.jotform.com/232835354178159 |
Project Narrative Template
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SCIP AOI 2 Application Template
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Industry Events
| Funds are provided under AOI 3 to help offset the costs associated with attending offshore wind industry events. Eligible applicants may receive a one time reimbursement of up to $5,000 for attending eligible industry events. See AOI 3 FOA for full details and requirements. | Funding Announcement |
FY24 SCIP AOI 3 Industry Events FOA Extended Deadline |
Application Portal |
https://form.jotform.com/232883376947170 |
Elligible Applicants: Organizations eligible to apply under the Maryland Offshore Wind Supply Chain Investment Program must meet the definition of an “Emerging Business.” For purposes of this program, an “Emerging Business” is defined, pursuant to Md. Code Ann., State Gov't § 9-20C-01(e), as “a business that is at least 51 percent owned and controlled by an individual or individuals who are certified to have a personal net worth, as defined in §14-301 of the State Finance and Procurement Article, that does not exceed $6,500,000 as adjusted each year for inflation according to the Consumer Price Index.”
Applicants that do not meet the Emerging Business definition are not eligible to receive grant funding from the Program.
Elligible Activities: Activities eligible for funding under the Maryland Offshore Wind Capital Expenditure Program are specific to each AOI and are listed in each AOI’s respective FOA.
Funding: A total of up to $1,500,000 is anticipated to be available, split between the AOIs, as detailed in the following table. MEA at its sole discretion may reallocate funds between AOIs based upon demand, quality of applications, and funding availability. Additional funding restrictions are specific to each AOI and explained in each AOI’s respective FOA.
Area of Interest | Funding Availability |
Market Entry Report and Planning
| $ 250,000 |
Capital Expenditures
| $ 1,000,000 |
Industry Events
| $250,000 |
Minimum Eligibility Criteria: Minimum Eligibility Criteria are specific to each AOI and are explained in each AOI’s respective FOA.
Evaluation Criteria: Evaluation Criteria are specific to each AOI and are explained in each AOI’s respective FOA.
Application Documents: Documents required to complete an application package are specific to each AOI, and information on how to prepare an application can be found in each AOI’s respective FOA found below.
Grant Program General Provisions: MEA grant programs are covered by general requirements that will be made part of the grant agreement between MEA and a grantee. A copy of the General Provisions document is available on MEA’s
website; this document will be incorporated into all MEA Fiscal Year 2024 grant agreements.
Submission Instructions: The Program uses the online application portal, Jotform, that all applicants are required to use when submitting grant applications. The online application portal for each AOI can be in the table above. MEA will not consider administratively incomplete applications. Applications must include all of the materials provided within “Application and Required Documents” detailed in each AOI’s respective FOA.
Interested applicants may submit questions, comments, concerns and/or suggestions to the following MEA staff members:
Primary Alternate
Emma Stoney Samuel Beirne
Energy Program Manager Energy Program Manager
Wind and Water Program Wind and Water Program
Maryland Energy Administration Maryland Energy Administration
410-382-1605 410-537-4000
