California Air Resources Board

Purpose of Planning and Capacity Building

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.

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

CARB is currently accepting public and Tribal comments on the draft requirements and application criteria through August 29, 2025.

• Draft Requirements and Criteria 
• Submit comments by August 29, 2025:
  • Email: CleanTransportationIncentives@arb.ca.gov
  • Online Comment Form

Community and Tribal input is encouraged and welcomed.

Key Program Features

• Up to $500,000 per award – no match required
• Grants support planning, outreach, needs assessments, and workforce development, and much more
• Advance Payment available for eligible applicants, including community-based organizations (CBO) and Tribal Governments
• Open to CBOs, Tribal Governments, Local Governments, and Public Schools
• Projects must be community-led and benefit disadvantaged or low-income areas
• Project duration: Project must be complete by December 2027 (approximate start date is January 2026)

Who Should Apply

• Tribal Governments (federally or non-federally recognized)
• CBOs working with a Local or Tribal Government 
• Public Schools working with a CBO
• Local Governments working in partnership with CBOs or Tribes

CARB encourages first-time applicants to provide comments on the draft requirements and apply.

Timeline

What’s in the Application

The full RFA will include:

• An 8-week application window
• Required components:
  • Project summary
  • Project community map
  • Partnership description
  • Budget (including staffing, onboarding, and insurance)
  • Deliverables and timeline

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

Need Help Applying?

Free technical assistance will be available when the RFA opens, including:

• Virtual office hours and question & answer sessions
• Budget templates and grant writing tools
• One-on-one support – priority support to Tribal, rural, or first-time applicants

Interest Form

Submit comments by August 29, 2025 on the Draft Requirements and Criteria.