FY 2027-28 Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant
🏛 Department of Transportation (California)
✓ Free, no account · Source: California Grants Portal · Last verified Oct 7, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for California-based organizations pursuing urban greening and climate resilience projects. Applicants must own the property or demonstrate landowner willingness to negotiate site control. Projects must be in urban areas, provide public benefit, and offer public access.
Priority goes to projects benefiting vulnerable or disadvantaged communities, using conservation corps, or leveraging additional funding. At least 40% of total funding targets disadvantaged communities. Projects affecting tribal lands require meaningful outreach to California Native American tribes.
Nonprofits, local governments, and community organizations are typical applicants. For-profit entities may apply if structuring projects as public benefit initiatives.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
The Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program was created to support the California Department of Transportation’s (Caltrans) Mission: Improving lives and communities through transportation. The California Legislature passed, and Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed into law, Senate Bill 1 (SB 1, Beall, Chapter 5, Statutes of 2017) – The Road Repair and Accountability Act of 2017, a transportation funding bill that provides a reliable fund source to maintain and integrate the State’s multimodal transportation system. In addition to the $10 million in traditional State and federal grants, approximately $25 million in SB 1 funds for Sustainable Communities Grants is available for each grant cycle. The State-funded Sustainable Communities grants ($30 million) are intended to support and implement Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Sustainable Communities Strategies/Alternative Planning Strategies (SCS/APS) (where applicable) and to ultimately achieve the State’s greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target of 40 and 85 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and 2045, respectively. Eligible planning projects must have a transportation nexus per Article XIX Sections 2 and 3 of the California Constitution. Therefore, successful planning projects are expected to directly benefit the multimodal transportation system. These grants will also improve public health, social equity, environmental justice, the environment, and provide other important community benefits. Additional details are provided in the STPG Application Guide available on the STPG website using the URL below. https://dot.ca.gov/programs/transportation-planning/division-of-transportation-planning/regional-and-community-planning/sustainable-transportation-planning-grants
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- Community Land Trust
- County Government
- Individuals
- Nonprofits
- Public Authority
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Tribal Nation
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Step 1 Concept Proposal (May 4–June 4, 2026)
- Step 2 Full Proposal (July 2026, by invitation)
- Property ownership documentation or landowner commitment letter
- Community engagement and needs assessment documentation
- Climate resilience and equity analysis
- Budget and timeline
- Tribal outreach plan (if applicable)
Program contact
- 📧 kevin.mariant@dot.ca.gov
- 📞 1-916-698-4612
Funding track record
Past applications & awards under this program (California Grants Portal) — how competitive it is.
By fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Applications | Awarded | Award rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-2027 | 4 | — | 0% |
Source: California Grants Portal
FAQ
What geographic areas are eligible?
Projects must be located in California urban areas. Rural or non-urban sites do not qualify.
How much funding can we request?
Awards range from $200,000 to $5,000,000. Larger projects with greater community impact are competitive.
Do we need to own the property?
You must own it or show the landowner will negotiate site control before submitting the full proposal.
What activities does the grant fund?
Urban greening, tree planting, green infrastructure, habitat creation, cooling projects, and workforce training aligned with state climate goals.
Does this grant prioritize certain projects?
Yes. Projects serving disadvantaged communities, using conservation corps, or leveraging other funding receive priority consideration.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start building landowner relationships immediately. Concept proposals are due June 4; secure site control early.
- Emphasize direct, tangible benefits to vulnerable populations. Avoid vague or speculative claims about community impact.
- Document community engagement and input. Show how your project responds to expressed local needs.
- Leverage conservation corps services if possible. Using CCC or certified LCCs significantly strengthens competitiveness.
- Connect your project to California's Extreme Heat Action Plan and Nature-Based Solutions Climate Targets in your narrative.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing projects in non-urban areas or on sites where landowner support is unclear. Overstating benefits or listing indirect/incidental advantages instead of direct, measurable community outcomes. Failing to document meaningful community engagement or how the project responds to expressed local needs.
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