UCAIR Funding Opportunities
Since 2013, the UCAIR Grants Program has funded innovative solutions for Utah’s air quality. We seek projects that reduce emissions of the criteria and precursor pollutants that drive our winter inversion and summer ozone seasons.
2025-26 grant application forms will be available on March 1, 2026.
Apply Now: 2026 UCAIR Grant Program
Missed the March 25th Info Session?
We have updated our FAQ section with new questions and answers from that session.
Grant Categories & Funding Levels
For 2026, UCAIR offers five grant categories with fixed award maximums. This structure helps applicants focus their project scope and budget. Priority is given to projects that benefit underserved or disproportionately impacted communities.
Electric Lawn Equipment Replacement – $10,000
- Scope: Transition gas-powered groundskeeping fleets to electric equipment (e.g., mowers, blowers, trimmers).
- Target: Large-scale campuses, such as universities, schools, hospitals, municipal parks, or corporate centers.
- Considerations: Selection is lottery-based; projects must include an educational component or public-facing signage.
Education, Outreach, & Arts – $15,000
- Scope: Use creative messaging, community art, or grassroots outreach to engage new audiences, raise air quality awareness, and inspire behavior change.
- Target: Audiences, communities, or geographic areas not currently served by UCAIR programs.
- Considerations: Projects must be based on air quality science and focus on actionable solutions.
Building & Home Energy Efficiency – $20,000
- Scope: Improve energy efficiency in homes and buildings to reduce emissions from heating and power generation.
- Target: Community-serving buildings, multi-family housing, or low-income residential retrofits.
- Key requirements: Proposals must demonstrate clear, long-term emissions-reduction benefits for occupants or the local community.
Transportation & Mobility – $25,000
- Scope: Increase adoption of zero-emission transit and other mobility solutions to reduce vehicle emissions.
- Target: Projects increasing use of zero-emission vehicles (including utility, service, or delivery vehicles) and programs that shift behavior away from gas-powered solo trips.
- Considerations: Funds may be used for vehicles or equipment, but not charging infrastructure.
Innovation – $20,000
- Scope: High-impact projects that reduce pollutants through new technologies, process improvements, or pilot initiatives.
- Target: Projects addressing air pollution in ways not covered by other categories.
- Considerations: Must demonstrate measurable emissions reductions and a clear plan for scaling or replication.
Technical Focus
All projects should aim to reduce criteria pollutants and precursor pollutants:
- Criteria Pollutants: Primary pollutants regulated due to health and environmental impacts, including particulate matter (PM), ground-level ozone (O₃), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO₂), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and lead (Pb).
- Precursor Pollutants: Compounds such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), methane (CH₄), and ammonia (NH₃) that contribute to the formation of criteria pollutants.
Precise calculations are not required, but applicants should clearly describe how their project will reduce these pollutants, directly or indirectly. For more details, visit the Utah Division of Air Quality.
Eligibility & Rules
- Applications are open to any Utah-based private, public, or nonprofit organization. Grants will not be awarded to individuals.
- Projects may be at any stage, from planning to full-scale implementation.
- Grantees have up to 18 months to complete projects.
- Organizations submitting multiple proposals should clearly indicate project priority.
- Grants to for-profit organizations are capped at 50% of the total project budget (up to the category maximum), with matching funds required.
Areas Not Eligible for Funding
To focus our limited resources on high-impact projects, UCAIR does not fund:
- Lobbying, political speech, or other political activity
- Electric vehicle charging infrastructure
Applicants are encouraged to explore “Other Funding Opportunities” listed at the bottom of this page or by contacting our team for guidance.
Application & Evaluation Process
- No Letter of Intent (LOI) is required; all eligible applicants may submit a full application.
- Applications will be available at UCAIR.org/Grants on March 1, 2026, at 12:00 AM.
- Deadline for submission: Sunday, April 12, 2026, at 11:59 PM.
Evaluation Criteria:
- Relevance: Alignment with UCAIR’s mission
- Impact: Benefits to underserved populations and clear emissions reductions
- Sustainability: Potential for continuation, scaling, or replication of the project
- Innovation: Originality of the project
- Feasibility: Clear timeline and realistic budget
2026 Funding Timeline
Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 12:00 AM: Application Packets Released
Wednesday, March 25, 2026 – Informational Session: A brief presentation will begin at 12:00 p.m., followed by a Q&A for prospective applicants. Join anytime between 12:00 and 2:00 p.m. via the Zoom link by clicking here. No registration is required. FAQs from this session are now included in the FAQs section below.
Sunday, April 12, 2026, at 11:59 PM: Applications Due
June 2026*: Grant Recipient Announcement
* Timeline is subject to change at UCAIR’s discretion.
For questions or additional information, contact the UCAIR team at grants@ucair.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
General & Eligibility
What is the average UCAIR Grant awarded?
For 2026, grants will be awarded based on five project categories with maximum awards ranging from $10,000 to $25,000. See the ‘Grant Categories’ section for details.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. Grants for for-profit organizations are capped at 50% of the total project budget (not to exceed the category maximum award). Matching funds are also required.
Are additional sources of funding required?
Additional sources of funding are not required, but we encourage applicants who have secured additional funding to include this information in their application. There have been instances where UCAIR Grants have funded 100% of project/program budgets.
- Please note: For-profit organizations are required to provide matching funds, and grants for these entities are capped at 50% of the total project budget (up to the specific category maximum).
What should the duration of my proposed project be?
Grantees are now allowed up to 18 months for project completion. This allows projects to address emissions during both summer ozone and winter inversion seasons.
Can I submit an application for more than one project?
Yes. Organizations may submit separate applications for different projects. Please indicate your priority ranking for each project within the application form to assist the selection committee.
My project reduces emissions but doesn’t fit a specific category. Should I still apply?
Yes! The Innovation category is specifically for high-impact projects that implement innovative technology, process improvements, or other air quality solutions not covered by the other four categories.
How will grant awards be issued and what are the reporting requirements?
Payments will be issued via check. Grantees are required to submit both a mid-project report and a final report. Detailed reporting guidelines will be provided to successful applicants upon notification in June 2026.
When will I be notified if my project was selected?
All applicants will be notified of their status by June 2026.
Application & Budget
What if my project falls under multiple categories?
You should select the category that best reflects the core goal of your project. If your project has secondary benefits in other areas, we encourage you to highlight these within your Project Narrative.
How are proposals evaluated?
At each stage, proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Relevance: Alignment with UCAIR’s mission
- Impact: Benefits to underserved populations and clear emissions reductions
- Sustainability: Potential for continuation, scaling, or replication of the project
- Innovation: Originality of the project
- Feasibility: Clear timeline and realistic budget
Are indirect costs allowed in the budget?
Yes, indirect costs of no greater than 10 percent of the total request are allowable. Indirect costs include items such as rent, utilities, telecommunications, insurance, administrative salaries, and benefits.
Where can I find the Application Cover Sheet?
The Cover Sheet is located on pages 4–7 of the Grant Application Packet. It includes 6 Proposal Overview questions (150-word limit each). Please place the completed Cover Sheet and Proposal Overview at the very beginning of your application to provide reviewers with a snapshot of your project before they read your full narrative and budget.
Should I include my full Project Narrative within the Proposal Overview questions of the Cover Sheet?
No. The Proposal Overview questions on the Cover Sheet are for brief answers only. The other elements of your application, including your Organization Description, Project Narrative, Project Timeline, and Project Budget, should be prepared separately in more detail. We recommend compiling all documents into a single PDF, beginning with the Cover Sheet and Proposal Overview.
Is there a maximum word count for the Project Narrative?
While there is no maximum word count for the Project Narrative, we ask that you keep it as concise as possible. Providing clear, focused information is extremely helpful for our review team during the evaluation process.
This year's UCAIR Grants funding cycle was made possible by the generous support of our UCAIR Partners:
Other Funding Opportunities
Air Quality Incentive Programs
The Utah Division of Air Quality (DAQ) offers financial assistance and tax incentives to help individuals, businesses, and communities reduce emissions. Programs support actions like replacing older vehicles, switching to electric or low‑emission equipment, and installing solar or e‑bikes, all aimed at improving air quality and public health in Utah.
Utah Clean Air Incentive Finder
The Utah Clean Air Incentive Finder, developed by Atlas Public Policy with support from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality, is an interactive tool that helps residents, businesses, nonprofits, and local governments quickly identify grants, rebates, tax credits, and financing options for clean air and energy projects based on their eligibility and project type.
Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP)
The Utah Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) offers the Small Business Environmental Assistance Program (SBEAP), providing free, confidential support to small Utah businesses to understand and comply with environmental regulations. Services include permitting guidance, technical assistance, and help with air quality, waste, and other environmental requirements.
Rocky Mountain Power Savings & Energy Choices
Rocky Mountain Power’s Savings & Energy Choices page highlights programs and tools that help residential and business customers lower energy costs, improve efficiency, and support cleaner energy options. Offerings include rebates through Wattsmart®, renewable energy participation (such as Blue Sky), electric vehicle resources, customer solar connections, demand response programs, usage insights, and bill assistance resources
Alternative Fuel Heavy-Duty Vehicle Tax Credit
The Alternative Fuel Heavy‑Duty Vehicle Tax Credit Program from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality offers a state income tax credit for the qualified purchase of new heavy‑duty vehicles (Class 7 or 8) powered by natural gas, 100% electric, or hydrogen‑electric drivetrains. The credit amount declines each year through 2030 and help reduces the cost of cleaner heavy‑duty vehicles to support lower emissions and improved air quality in Utah.
Charge Your Yard Incentive Program
The Charge Your Yard Incentive Program from the Utah Department of Environmental Quality encourages residents and yard care businesses in select counties to switch from gas‑powered to electric handheld yard equipment. Participants can receive financial incentives for buying electric string trimmers, leaf blowers, chainsaws, edgers, and similar tools, helping reduce emissions and improve local air quality.
Energy Efficiency Incentives for Homes
Utah Clean Energy helps Utah residents access federal tax credits and local utility rebates for energy‑saving home upgrades through its Energy Efficiency Incentives page. Eligible improvements include insulation, heating and cooling systems, and other efficiency upgrades.
ElectrifyYour Fleet: Medium- And Heavy-Duty Fleet Electrification Analysis
Utah Clean Energy’s ElectrifyYour Fleet program helps fleets evaluate the costs, benefits, and emissions reductions of switching medium and heavy‑duty vehicles to electric, providing tools and guidance for cleaner, more efficient operations.
Areas Not Eligible for Funding
While UCAIR is supportive of all efforts to lower emissions, we recognize that some areas do not align with our mission or are being addressed through alternative funding mechanisms. To maximize the impact of our limited grant resources, the UCAIR Grant Selection Committee has advised a restriction of funding to the following areas:
- Lobbying, political speech, or any form of political activity
- Electric vehicle charging infrastructure
We encourage you to explore the resources provided at the bottom of this page or contact our team for more information regarding alternative funding opportunities that may be available for these areas.