What you need to know: Applications are open for Community Planning and Capacity Building Grants. Up to $7.3 million is available, with individual grants up to $500,000. New this year: funding is more accessible to tribal governments.  

SACRAMENTO — The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is now accepting applications for Community Planning and Capacity Building Grants. This competitive funding opportunity supports community-led planning efforts that lay the groundwork for future clean transportation investments. Eligible applicants include community-based organizations, local governments, public schools, and tribal governments. 

This year’s grants include an important update: tribal applicants will no longer need to agree to a Limited Waiver of Sovereign Immunity, making funding more accessible for tribes. 

“These grants are about putting communities in the driver’s seat to navigate their own clean transportation future,” said CARB Chair Lauren Sanchez. “By investing in planning and capacity building, we’re helping ensure that tomorrow’s mobility solutions reflect local needs and priorities.” 

Why it matters 

The grants help under-resourced communities plan for clean, equitable transportation solutions. With up to $500,000 per award, grantees can assess mobility needs, engage residents, build partnerships, and develop strategies that support long-term goals in health, equity, and sustainability. 

Funding is available for projects focused on clean mobility transportation planning, community transportation needs assessments, community capacity building, outreach, workforce training and development, ongoing technical assistance, and other critical community-led clean mobility investment needs. 

Previous grantees, such as Circle of Life Development Foundation’s MLKcommUNITY project in Bakersfield, have used the grants to engage residents in a neighborhood that has often been excluded from planning processes. The work has helped identify transportation needs and positioned the foundation to build new partnerships and pursue additional funding opportunities. 

The Rebound the MLKcommUNITY project held an event as part of its plan to identify transportation needs of a community in southeast Bakerfield.

How we got here  

The grants are part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Invest dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment—particularly in disadvantaged communities. 

Additional information 

• Application Deadline: February 10, 2026 

• Q&A Sessions: 

• January 8, 2026 

• Tribal Applicants: 10:00–11:00 a.m. 

• All Applicants: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. 

• Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/CBwdsW9XQ6aRLsHR9hKfzg (https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/CBwdsW9XQ6aRLsHR9hKfzg)   

• January 27, 2026 

• Tribal Applicants: 2:00–3:00 p.m. 

• All Applicants: 3:00–4:00 p.m. 

• Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/nAiPadDPSd67ZhQNE8bDeA (https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/nAiPadDPSd67ZhQNE8bDeA) 

Free support is available through CARB’s Planning and Capacity Building Administrator team. To be guaranteed technical assistance, applicants must complete the Technical Assistance Survey (https://forms.cloud.microsoft/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=wBBiV1cmukiG_abGGiB4jO5heZsAooJPn9oPSzQ5dN1UQkwwU0NBRzFKMzMzNVFHSDNORVo3TjQzQy4u&route=shorturl) by January 23, 2026. 

Visit CARB’s Planning and Capacity Building RFA page (//ww2.arb.ca.gov/pcb-rfa) for the full RFA, required forms, and templates.