2026 Solutions for Congested Corridors Program
🏛 Transportation Commission (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Oct 7, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for California-based organizations and coalitions working in disadvantaged, low-income, and Tribal communities. Applicants must include at least 2 Co-Applicants and form a Collaborative Governance Structure with community leadership.
Eligible applicants include nonprofits, local governments, faith-based organizations, CDFIs, community development corporations, Joint Powers Authorities, and California Native American Tribes. All applicants must submit a Pre-Proposal by June 30, 2026 before the full application deadline.
Projects must be neighborhood-scale and include multiple coordinated climate resilience projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Activities include housing development, transit, solar/energy efficiency, water resilience, waste reduction, health equity, brownfield redevelopment, and community resilience centers.
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Program description
Regional transportation planning agencies, county transportation commissions and Caltrans are eligible to apply for program funds through the nomination of projects. All projects nominated must be identified in a currently adopted regional transportation plan and an existing comprehensive corridor plan. The Commission is required to score and select submitted applications based on the following criteria: Safety;Congestion;Accessibility;Economic development, job creation and retention;Air pollution and greenhouse gas emission reductions;Efficient land use;Level of matching funds; andThe ability to complete the project in a timely manner. Eligible project elements within the corridor plans may include improvements to state highways, local streets and roads, rail facilities, public transit facilities, bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and restoration or preservation work that protects critical local habitat or open space. Program funds cannot be used to construct general purpose lanes on a state highway. Capacity increasing projects on the state highway system are restricted to high-occupancy vehicle lanes, managed lanes, and other non-general purpose lane improvements for safety and/or operational improvements for all modes of travel. Examples are auxiliary lanes, trucks climbing lanes, or dedicated bicycle lanes.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- CDFI
- Faith-based Organization
- Nonprofits
- Public Authority
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Pre-Proposal (due June 30, 2026)
- Full Application (due September 30, 2026)
- Collaborative Governance Structure documentation
- Community engagement and input documentation
- Project narrative with climate resilience focus
- Budget and cost-sharing plan
Program contact
- 📧 Naveen.Habib@catc.ca.gov
- 📞 1-916-653-2044
FAQ
Who can be the Lead Applicant?
Lead and Co-Applicants can be nonprofits, local governments, faith-based organizations, CDFIs, community development corporations, or Tribal organizations. All applicants must have local residents and leadership in the governance structure.
How many applicants do I need?
You must have at least 2 Co-Applicants plus a Lead Applicant. All must form a formal Collaborative Governance Structure.
What types of climate projects are eligible?
Eligible projects include housing, transit, solar/energy efficiency, water resilience, waste reduction, health equity, brownfield redevelopment, and community resilience centers. Projects must reduce greenhouse gas emissions at neighborhood scale.
When is the Pre-Proposal due?
The Pre-Proposal deadline is June 30, 2026. The full application deadline is September 30, 2026. Technical Assistance requests have a July 31, 2026 priority deadline.
What is the funding amount?
The grant description does not specify award amounts or the total funding pool. Contact the Strategic Growth Council directly for details.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start building your Collaborative Governance Structure early. Identify and secure commitment from at least 2 Co-Applicants before applying.
- Request Application Technical Assistance by July 31, 2026 if your project is in a Tribal, disadvantaged, or unincorporated community. These applicants are prioritized for TA support.
- Submit your Pre-Proposal by June 30, 2026. Though content does not affect final evaluation, it signals serious intent and allows time for feedback.
- Ensure your project is truly neighborhood-scale and includes multiple coordinated activities. Single-project proposals are unlikely to be competitive.
- Document community input and leadership involvement throughout your application. The program emphasizes place-based, community-driven solutions.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when they don't establish a genuine Collaborative Governance Structure with at least 2 Co-Applicants and active community leadership. Proposing single-project solutions instead of neighborhood-scale, coordinated climate initiatives weakens competitiveness. Poorly documenting how the project meets community-identified needs and delivers multiple co-benefits (health, housing, economic opportunity) beyond GHG reduction.
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