Frequently Asked Questions
The first intake phase of the Manitoba Schools Lighting Initiative is now closed. Schools are still welcome to submit an Expression of Interest, which we’ll review and evaluate during a future selection period.
What’s Efficiency Manitoba’s Manitoba Schools Lighting Initiative?
Our new Manitoba Schools Lighting Initiative provides funding for K–12 schools across the province to complete energy-efficient lighting upgrades. Schools can receive funding for up to 100% of eligible LED lighting, lighting controls, and associated labour costs.
Why is Efficiency Manitoba offering this initiative?
Schools are important community facilities that operate for long hours and rely heavily on lighting throughout the year. Upgrading to energy-efficient lighting reduces electricity consumption and operating costs while improving lighting quality for students, staff, and visitors. Covering both material and labour costs ensures that all schools — regardless of size or budget — can benefit from this opportunity.
How do schools apply for funding?
Interested schools will be able to submit an Expression of Interest during the enrolment period from February 13 to April 13, 2026. We’ll review and evaluate all submissions received during this period.
We’ll communicate project selections by May 15, 2026. Schools selected to move forward will then be invited to submit a full application. Projects must be approved before purchasing any materials or starting any work.
Projects not selected during the initial enrolment period will remain in the queue and be considered in any future enrolment periods. These projects will be re-scored alongside new submissions, and schools may choose to update their Expression of Interest to strengthen their application.
We’ll clearly communicate selection outcomes to all applicants, including whether their project has been selected for the current year or will be considered in any future enrolment periods.
What types of schools are eligible?
Eligible applicants include K-12 schools in Manitoba that deliver the Manitoba provincial curriculum and operate as recognized instructional facilities, whether they’re part of a school division or operate as independent schools. A full list of eligible schools is available here.
Hutterite Colony schools are eligible if they operate as recognized K-12 instructional facilities delivering the provincial curriculum.
Home schools and home-based education programs aren’t eligible for this initiative.
Where applicable, licensed daycares located within eligible K-12 school buildings may be included as part of the school’s lighting upgrade, provided they’re within the same facility and included in the overall project scope.
Is funding available on a first-come, first-served basis?
No. We’ll review and evaluate all Expressions of Interest submitted within the enrolment period. We’ll select projects based on factors such as expected energy reduction, extent of lighting replacement, project readiness, inclusion of lighting controls, no major infrastructure upgrades required, and regional diversity.
Projects not selected for the initial enrolment will remain in the queue and be considered during any future enrolment periods. We’ll re-score these projects alongside new submissions and make selections based on overall ranking. Schools may choose to update their submission to strengthen their application.
What types of projects are eligible?
K–12 schools in Manitoba that are pursuing energy-efficient lighting retrofits through the Business Lighting Program are eligible. Projects must include the installation of lighting controls that meet the current adopted version of the Manitoba Energy Code for Buildings (MECB) and involve replacing inefficient lighting equipment with eligible LED lighting.
Are exterior lights eligible for funding?
Yes! All energy-efficient lighting and lighting controls are eligible for consideration.
What are the benefits of upgrading to energy-efficient lighting?
Lighting upgrades provide many benefits to schools:
- Reduced electricity consumption and utility costs
- Improved lighting quality, visibility, and comfort in classrooms and common areas
- Longer product life and reduced maintenance needs
- Reduced environmental impact through lower energy use
- Enhanced energy savings and system operation flexibility through the inclusion of lighting controls
When will funding be provided?
We’ll provide funding after the new lighting has been installed. Schools will receive their incentive after submitting their invoices and completion documents. Schools may inquire with their lighting supplier to confirm if they would allow the incentive to be assigned directly to the lighting supplier, which would avoid upfront costs for the school.
Can schools receive funding from other sources for the same project?
We require applicants to disclose any additional sources of funding related to their lighting project, including grants or incentives from other programs or organizations.
We reserve the right to adjust incentive amounts to account for other funding received, ensuring projects don’t receive funding in excess of total eligible costs or generate a financial gain.
Are new schools eligible for this intiative?
No. The Manitoba Schools Lighting Initiative is intended for existing schools completing retrofit lighting projects, not new construction. New schools may be eligible for incentives through our New Buildings Program.
How will Efficiency Manitoba ensure participation from schools across the province?
We’ll review submissions to ensure that funding is distributed across urban, rural, northern, and First Nation schools.
First Nation and rural schools may have unique building conditions or complex logistical needs; we’ll fully consider these circumstances during the selection process. The initiative is designed to account for differences in geography, school size, and infrastructure so these factors don’t create barriers to participation.
When do projects have to be completed by?
Accepted projects must be completed within a reasonable timeframe outlined in their approval letter — typically within 12 months of the approval date.
How will Efficiency Manitoba choose which school projects are approved for funding?
We’ll review and evaluate all Expressions of Interest submitted during the enrolment period using a consistent scoring system.
Projects must include the installation of lighting controls that meet the current adopted version of the Manitoba Energy Code for Buildings (MECB) and involve replacing inefficient lighting equipment with eligible LED lighting.
We’ll prioritize projects based on the following factors:
- Expected energy reduction
- Extent of lighting replacement
- Project readiness
- No major infrastructure upgrades required
- Regional diversity
We’ll clearly communicate selection outcomes to all applicants, including whether their project has been selected for the current year or if we’ll consider it in any future enrolment periods.
If a school already has an open Business Lighting Program application with Efficiency Manitoba, can they get additional funding through the Manitoba Schools Lighting Initiative?
If a school already has an open application through our Business Lighting Program and the lighting upgrade has already been approved, is in progress, or has already been completed and is awaiting final payment, that project isn’t eligible for the Manitoba Schools Lighting Initiative.
If the school wishes to be considered for this initiative, they can withdraw their current Business Lighting Program application before it’s approved — provided the materials haven’t been purchased and the work hasn’t started — and resubmit the project through the Manitoba Schools Lighting Initiative. Alternatively, they can submit an Expression of Interest for lighting work that’s over and above what’s included in their existing Business Lighting Program application. This additional scope must be clearly distinct and not overlap with the previously planned or approved upgrades.
If a school already has an open Commercial Deep Energy Retrofit Program application with Efficiency Manitoba, can they get additional funding through the Manitoba Schools Lighting Initiative?
Projects that are already enrolled in our Commercial Deep Energy Retrofit Program may be eligible for the Manitoba Schools Lighting Initiative, provided the materials haven’t been purchased and the work hasn’t started.
The lighting upgrade would continue to be evaluated through our Commercial Deep Energy Retrofit Program, with the project receiving the standard incentive based on modelled energy savings. The Manitoba Schools Lighting Initiative may then provide a top-up incentive to cover the remaining eligible lighting material and labour costs.
Who can schools contact with questions?
Questions about the Manitoba Schools Lighting Initiative can be emailed to lighting@efficiencyMB.ca.
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