The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is releasing the 2025 Request for Applications (RFA) for Community Planning and Capacity Building (Planning) Grants, a competitive funding opportunity under CARB’s Sustainable Community-Based Transportation Equity suite of programs.
Donor Name: California Air Resources Board
State: California
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 02/10/2026
Size of the Grant: $100,000 to $500,000
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
Community Planning and Capacity Building (Planning) grants provide up to $500,000 per project to help communities plan for clean, equitable transportation solutions. These grants support early-stage planning, outreach, workforce development, and local readiness – especially for Tribal governments, rural communities, schools, and first-time applicants.
Alongside Clean Mobility Options (CMO), Clean Mobility in Schools (CMIS), and the Sustainable Transportation Equity Project (STEP), Planning supports community-led strategies that advance clean, shared, and active transportation solutions— particularly for low-income, disadvantaged, and Tribal communities. Planning is designed to help under-resourced communities take the steps needed to advance their own transportation equity vision—whether that means building partnerships, engaging the community, strengthening organizational capacity, or laying groundwork for future projects.
Goals and Objectives
The Planning and Capacity Building program supports disadvantaged communities by ensuring they have the opportunity to assess local transportation needs, build partnerships, and organize effectively to access CARB and other funding. The program is designed to empower communities to develop the groundwork needed to implement changes that both meet community priorities and reduce emissions. Planning grants help communities in a variety of ways:
- Fund and support capacity-building, data collection, and community engagement in communities with limited resources, providing a foundation of readiness for future transportation projects.
- Document and understand community-specific transportation needs, including gaps in access, affordability, safety, and environmental equity.
- Engage local governments, Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), and residents — including youth, parents, elders, and Tribal members — in identifying and planning clean transportation improvements.
- Build readiness for transportation planning that reflects community priorities and ensures equitable participation.
- Develop plans, partnerships, and knowledge to pursue future funding for transportation or other sector initiatives.
- Promote safe, clean, and accessible transportation options for students, workers, and families.
- Strengthen internal community capacity through trainings, technical assistance, partnerships, and outreach.
Project Period
Projects must start by May 4, 2026, and must be complete by January 31, 2028.
What types of activities can be funded?
Planning grants can support a variety of activities, such as:
- Conducting community transportation needs assessments
- Planning clean mobility options or safer streets
- Engaging people most impacted to shape local transportation decisions
- Developing local workforce training tied to transportation projects
- Building partnerships and shared visions across community groups.
Eligible Activities and Costs
Planning grants support a range of activities that, when combined, help advance transportation equity and support the community’s long-term vision. CARB encourages Applicants to collaborate with partners across the Project Community and look for opportunities to align efforts and build on each other’s strengths.
Eligible Projects
Planning and Capacity Building grants support community-led projects that prepare for long-term clean transportation investments. CARB welcomes projects at different stages — from early community visioning to more developed plans.
Eligible projects should:
- Increase understanding for needs related to transportation equity in disadvantaged or low-income communities
- Build local readiness to apply for future implementation grants
- Reflect transportation goals and priorities identified by community members.
Eligible Costs
Grant funds may be used for costs that directly support the approved project. Eligible costs include:
- Staffing
- Community Engagement & Outreach
- Technology & Tools
- Travel (In-State Only)
- Tribal-specific Eligible Costs
- Other Eligible Costs.
Eligibility Criteria
- Community-Based Organizations
- Local Governments
- Tribal Governments
- Public Schools.
For more information, visit CARB.
