California Air Resources Board

Purpose of Community Planning and Capacity Building

Community Planning and Capacity Building (Planning) grants provide funding for community-led planning efforts that help communities prepare for clean, equitable transportation solutions. These grants prioritize community-led planning efforts that reflect local needs and advance equitable access to clean transportation.

Planning is part of CARB’s suite of Clean Mobility Investments that also includes Clean Mobility Options, Clean Mobility in Schools, and the Sustainable Transportation Equity Project. 

For more background, visit Planning and Capacity Building.

Where We Are in the Process

• The Community Planning and Capacity Building Grants: 2025 Request for Applications (RFA) application window opened December 2, 2025 and closed on February 10, 2026.
• CARB received 84 applications requesting approximately $38 million in funding.
• Applications underwent eligibility review and competitive scoring consistent with the RFA. 
• CARB has completed the review and award selection process.
• A summary of funding decisions is available below.

Funding Decisions

CARB has completed award selections for the Community Planning and Capacity Building Grants: 2025 RFA.

• 16 projects were selected for funding.
• Approximately $7.3 million was awarded.
• Funding requests exceeded available funding by more than five times.
• 2025 Request for Application Results Summary

Key Program Features

2025 Funding Opportunities Highlights

• $7.3M available with up to $500,000 per award – no match required.
• Grants support planning, outreach, needs assessments, workforce development, etc. 
• Advance Payment available for eligible applicants, including community-based organizations (CBO) and federally-recognized Tribal Governments.
• Open to CBOs, Tribal Governments, Local Governments, and Public Schools.
• Projects must be community-led and benefit disadvantaged or low-income areas.
• Tribal waiver of sovereign immunity is not required.
• Project must be completed by January 31, 2028.

Timeline

What’s in the Application

The 2025 RFA application is now closed. Materials are provided for reference only. 

RFA and required components:

• Planning RFA
• Appendix A: Application Form
• Appendix A, Attachment I, Letters of Commitment and Support
• Appendix A, Attachment II, Narrative Questions
• Appendix A, Attachment III, Scope and Timeline
• Appendix A, Attachment IV, Budget (revised 01-28-26)
• Project Community Map (see Planning RFA for details) 

Supporting Documents:

• Appendix B, Sample Grant Agreement (revised 02-03-26)
• Public Question & Answer Sessions (updated 02-04-26)

Applicants are not required to have a fully developed plan for their proposed project — Planning grants support communities at many stages of readiness.

Technical Assistance (Closed for 2025 RFA)

The Planning and Capacity Building Administrator team, led by Data for Social Good, and in partnership with Momentum and the Institute for Sustainable Communities, will provide technical assistance to Applicants. Free technical assistance is available, including:

• Virtual office hours and webinars
• Templates and grant writing tools
• One-on-one support

Technical Assistance for the 2025 Planning RFA closed on January 23, 2026.