California Air Resources Board

Introduction

Thank you for your interest in the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Research Program. CARB has initiated the research planning process for the fiscal year (FY) 2026-2027 with a call for research comments from the public through a survey. The annual comment survey is an important part of CARB's engagement with the public to inform program priorities. The research planning process is changing to allow more time for project development, and in some cases for more public and community engagement during that process. CARB is no longer collecting research concepts. Instead, CARB will leverage the priorities in the upcoming Five-Year Strategic Research Plan, identify which ones are the most relevant to support upcoming policy needs, and collect input that will help develop priorities into project concepts.

Background

The annual research planning process is guided by research priorities responsive to CARB programmatic goals, emerging air quality and climate issues, and public input. The annual planning process is also guided by Strategic Research Plans. CARB is currently in the process of drafting a Five-Year Strategic Research Plan (Five-Year Plan). The Five-Year Plan will provide an overview of past and current research activities as well as future research priorities. The new Five-Year Plan will be presented to the Board for approval in Fall/Winter 2025 and will cover funding years 2025-2030. The Plan was developed using a robust public engagement strategy, including public meetings, polls, and in-person research round-tables.

Changes to the annual research planning process

Process to Date

In previous years, CARB solicited research concepts and comments from the public and conducted an extensive internal review to select top concepts for potential funding.

A summary of this process for each year can be found in the addendums added to Strategic Plans each year. These addendums include a summary of the process, the comments and concepts collected, and the outcome of the process, including the research projects selected for funding.

What is Changing?

Moving forward, CARB is developing a pilot process to incorporate additional time to allow for meaningful public and community engagement in concept development and more effectively align annual projects with the research priorities in the Five-Year Plan. The draft process will start by examining the future research priorities in the Five-Year Plan and identifying those that are most timely or align with near-term program needs. The public will have the opportunity to provide their ranking of priorities, submit suggestions on how to address these priorities through research, and share additional comments or concerns related to air quality and climate issues affecting their communities. Public input will help refine the list of priorities down to 8-12 priorities in total. Research Program staff will work to develop these priorities into project concepts. Additionally, CARB staff will consider public forums to seek input to make concepts more comprehensive, particularly for projects with community engagement.

The pilot process will provide more time for project concept development and create more opportunities for public and community members to comment on the research objectives and proposed methods. This will also provide greater opportunities to refine equity components, create more responsive projects, and streamline administrative processes. Staff will pilot test this process and determine if the approach is providing sound, policy relevant, timely, comprehensive projects with community engagement as appropriate.