2026 Trade Corridor Enhancement Program
🏛 Transportation Commission (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Oct 7, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for California organizations working on climate resilience in overburdened and disadvantaged communities. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, tribal communities, local governments, and community groups serving disadvantaged unincorporated communities (DUCs).
Multiple co-applicants are required to form a collaborative governance structure with community, business, and local government stakeholders. Your project area must be in California and address climate resilience goals previously identified in community planning efforts.
Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities, tribal communities, and previous Planning or Implementation Grant applicants receive priority. Project Development Grants fund pre-development and basic infrastructure activities preparing communities for future implementation funding.
Activities must include community engagement and advance climate resilience, emissions reduction, public health, environment, and economic opportunity goals.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Program description
Eligible applicants apply for program funds through the nomination of projects. All projects nominated must be identified in a currently adopted regional transportation plan. The Commission is required to evaluate and select submitted applications based on the following criteria: Freight System Factors: Throughput, Velocity, and Reliability Transportation System Factors: Safety, Congestion Reduction/Mitigation, Key Transportation Bottleneck Relief, Multi-Modal Strategy, Interregional Benefits, and Advanced Technology Community Impact Factors: Air Quality Impact, Community Impact Mitigation, Economic/Jobs Growth, Cost Effectiveness Project Readiness: Ability to complete the project in a timely manner Matching Funds: Demonstration of the required 30% matching funds Leveraging: The leveraging and coordination of funds from multiple sources Program guidelines are created in consultation with agencies identified in Governor’s Executive Order B-32-15, regional transportation planning agencies, local governments, private industry, advocates, and other interested parties. Prior to adoption of the guidelines, the Commission conducts numerous public workshops throughout the state to solicit input and feedback.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- Nonprofits
- Public Authority
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Project Development Grant Application Form
- Proposal Narrative
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Letters of Support from collaborative partners
- Community Engagement Plan
- Environmental/Climate Resilience Goals and Outcomes description
Program contact
- 📧 Beverley.Newman-Burckhard@catc.ca.gov
- 📞 1-916-281-7720
FAQ
Who can apply for TCC Project Development Grants?
Nonprofits, tribal communities, local governments, and community organizations in California's disadvantaged and overburdened communities. Multiple co-applicants forming a collaborative governance structure are required.
What geographic areas are eligible?
California only. Priority given to Disadvantaged Unincorporated Communities, tribal communities, and applicants in areas previously identified through community planning efforts.
What activities can be funded?
Pre-development and basic infrastructure activities advancing climate resilience goals. Examples include community engagement, planning, feasibility studies, and projects supporting emissions reduction and economic opportunity.
When is the deadline?
September 30, 2026. Technical assistance requests should be submitted by July 31, 2026 to receive priority support during application development.
Is there a funding range?
The program has $15 million total available. Individual award amounts are not specified, but funding up to $5 million may be available depending on project scope.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start early and engage your community partners now. Multiple co-applicants and a formal governance structure are required; building alignment takes time.
- Request technical assistance by July 31, 2026 if eligible (tribal communities, tribally-owned nonprofits, or projects in disadvantaged unincorporated communities).
- Ground your proposal in prior community planning work. Show how your project development activities build on existing plans and community-identified priorities.
- Connect your activities to climate resilience outcomes. Clearly link budget items to emissions reduction, health improvements, or environmental benefits.
- Include diverse stakeholders. Demonstrate how community members, local businesses, and government agencies will collaborate in decision-making and implementation.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail to document prior community planning or clear community priorities they're building from. Proposals lack meaningful community engagement or show weak collaborative governance structures without genuine multi-stakeholder participation. Projects don't clearly articulate climate resilience outcomes or fail to connect budget activities to emissions reduction and environmental/health benefits.
Similar grants
- ROLLING 2026 Solutions for Congested Corridors Program — Transportation Commission (California)
- ROLLING 2026 Local Partnership Competitive Program — Transportation Commission (California)
- ROLLING FY 2027-28 Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant — Department of Transportation (California)
- ROLLING Delta Community, Environment, and Climate Grant Program — Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta Conservancy (California)
- ROLLING Statewide Park Development and Community Revitalization Program (SPP) – Round 5 – Proposition 4 — Department of Parks and Recreation (California)