MESM Academy | Additional Support Services

Onboarding Package:
This document was developed to ease and support the onboarding process for the inaugural cohort of energy managers hired through the 2025 Mass Save Municipal Energy Manager Grants.  

The Onboarding Package includes helpful information on how to succeed in this role, what external/internal stakeholders to connect with in, newsletters to sign up for, peer learning and working groups to join, and more!

Access the Onboarding Package

Additional Tools and Resources:  

• Grants Matrix
  • A searchable and filterable list of funding opportunities for climate and energy-related projects. This Matrix is an adaptation of the Building Electrification Funding & Technical Assistance Directory developed by the Building Electrification Accelerator(opens in new tab).
• Grant Writing Workbook
  • Find guidance on preparing a strong grant application, including guidance on understanding community's priorities, building relationships, and building a grant game plan. Provided by Naomi Mermin and Melissa Riley of the Naomi Mermin Consulting.
• Contacts Spreadsheet
  • Find contact information for your state and regional partners, including your Green Communities Regional Coordinator and National Grid/Eversource municipal representatives.
• Building Operators Certification – Reimbursement
  • Energy managers in National Grid and Eversource territories are able to take the Building Operators Certification(opens in new tab), a credential professional training program for facilities operations and maintenance staff, at no cost. Contact your Municipal Utility Representative to ask questions and receive a reimbursement form.

One-on-One Support:
As energy managers onboard into their new positions in Fall and Winter 2025, MAPC staff are available for one-on-one sessions to support onboarding and answer questions. Program admin staff will reach out to book time with you. After the first few months, MAPC will remain available for on-call support.

Monthly Office Hours:
Monthly office hours are optional opportunities for staff to meet with program administrators to review training topics, discuss challenges, ask questions, and connect with peers. Office hours do not have a formal agenda, instead participants are expected to drive the meetings with questions and discussion topics.  

Visit the MESM Academy Calendar to check dates for upcoming office hours.

Professional Development Stipend

Municipal Energy and Sustainability Managers (MESM) Academy participants are offered a professional development stipend. The stipend is reimbursement-based and can be used to cover conference registration fees, paid webinars or training courses, certificate programs, or other opportunities relevant to their role. MESM Academy participants may request this stipend in up to two installments, total amount not to exceed $200. Stipends expire on July 31, 2027.

Steps to submit for the request:

• Receive written approval from your supervisor to attend the requested professional development opportunity.
• Complete and submit Approval Request Form (link to download the form. Form here: MESM Stipend Approval Request Form) along with the written above and send it to [email protected] with the subject line “Professional Development Approval Request”.
• Once your request is approved, you may register and pay for the professional development opportunity.
• MAPC will send you a Reimbursement Request Form when your request is approved. To get reimbursed, complete and submit the Reimbursement Request Form and attach a copy of your receipt and W-9 to [email protected].

MESM Academy Mentorship Program

MESM Academy is launching a Mentorship Program to connect newer energy and sustainability managers in the MESM Academy with experienced practitioners to provide practical guidance, peer problem-solving, and support in navigating municipal clean energy work.

Interested in applying to be a mentor? Or are part of the MESM Academy cohorts and want to be a mentee? Please email [email protected] or [email protected].