Program
Applications Due
For the full application; required Pre-Application Interest Form was due August 11, 2026
Total Funding
Funding Source
Maximum Award
Award Details
- Early Transformative Infrastructure: $600,000 to $1 million
- Advanced Transformative Infrastructure: $2.5 million to $4 million
Eligibility
- Local and regional public entities, including cities, counties, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), joint powers authorities (JPAs), regional transportation planning agencies (RTPAs), councils of governments (COGs), congestion management agencies, groundwater sustainability agencies, school districts, special districts, local or regional public authorities, local or regional public agencies, or other political subdivisions.
- California Native American Tribes or Tribal entities, including Native American Tribes that are on the contact list maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC).
- Community-based organizations (CBOs) including 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, non-governmental organizations, philanthropic organizations, faith-based organizations, foundations, and other organizations with a history of representing vulnerable communities.
- Coalitions, collaboratives, or associations of nonprofit organizations that are fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or academic institution.
- Academic institutions.
Eligible Activities
Two types of transformative infrastructure planning projects that bring lasting, positive change to communities:
- Early Transformative Infrastructure projects: smaller, early-stage projects that need more planning and time for building infrastructure solutions. However, they must also include an infrastructure demonstration project.
- Advanced Transformative Infrastructure projects: larger, more complex projects that focus on built environment or nature-based solutions designed primarily to provide shade and/or cooling benefits. These projects should be further along in the planning process but can also include planning components.
Duration
Notable Requirements
- Round 2 requires that all Lead Applicants include a Co-Applicant in their proposed projects to be eligible for consideration. California Native American Tribes and Tribal Entities are exempt from the requirement to include a Co-Applicant.
- Early Infrastructure Projects: 25% – 60% of the total budget must support the demonstration project; at least 8% of the total budget must go directly to partners (Co-Applicants and/or Contributors) for assigned workplan activities; at least 4% of the total budget must support Belonging design and implementation activities; and applicants must set aside $25,000 in their budget to participate in required post-award activities.
- Advanced Infrastructure Projects have several key requirements: at least 70% of the total budget must support infrastructure implementation and construction activities; at least 6% of the total budget must be allocated directly to partners (Co-Applicants and/or contributors) for assigned workplan activities; at least 2% of the total budget must be allocated to support Belonging design and implementation activities; and applicants must set aside $50,000 in their budget to participate in required post-award activities.
Preferences
Scoring Criteria: Narrative (55 points), Funding Priorities (15), Workbook (20), and Interview (10) for 100 total possible points. For Funding Priorities, 15 points are awarded if the project provides meaningful and direct benefits to a federally recognized Native American Tribe or a non-federally recognized Native American Tribe listed on the California Tribal Consultation List maintained by the Native American Heritage Commission.
How to Apply
There is a two-step application process. Prospective applicants begin by completing a Pre-Application Interest Form in Submittable, which will provide access to the Full Application. A Pre-Application Interest Form copy is available here for reference.