Workforce Development

To support California Native American Tribes located within the State in advancing land acquisition with multi-benefit nature-based solutions projects.

This advisory group advances regional climate priorities and community-driven solutions for local governments. Members bring diverse lived experiences and perspectives to help shape sustainability initiatives and ensure they reflect the needs of historically underserved communities. Members will receive $150 per meeting for their time and for sharing their perspectives.

Tribal Wildfire Resilience grants is part of CAL FIRE’s Climate and Energy Program and supports California Native American Tribes in managing ancestral lands, implementing and promoting Traditional Environmental Knowledges in wildfire resilience, and establishing wildfire safety for Tribal communities.

Regional Grants will direct funding to forest collaboratives, regional entities, and other collaborative partnerships that develop, plan, and implement portfolios of multi-benefit projects across a landscape, including across landownerships. Regional Grants have the potential to bring funding to high-priority projects that would not otherwise have access to CAL FIRE’s grants or similar grant funding. They also seek to foster regional capacity building and partnerships by providing resources to carry out regional priority projects.

The Charger Service Skills Accelerator provides grant funding for projects that will increase the qualified workforce needed to service electric vehicle (EV) charging equipment. Funding will support training that leads to portable, industry-recognized credentials and may be used to expand existing training programs to include EV charging equipment service.

TechWerx is a hub focused on connecting DOE with energy leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers, policymakers, small businesses and other players across academia, industry, non-profits, workforce development, and policy to foster innovation and collaboration. The BAxTER funding opportunity will support building Tribal partnerships and improving energy reliability and affordability through networking activities, Tribal energy resilience project development, and Tribal workforce development. Eligible participants include energy experts in small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions. The BAxTER program anticipates making $4 million in funding available to 5 to 10 selected organizations. Opportunity coming soon.

Two new opportunities for CALeVIP Fast Charge California Project (FCCP) incentives totaling at least $55 million are coming. These new projects will give site owners and developers two opportunities to move ready-to-build charging projects from planning to installation. Expanding charging access in underserved areas remains a focus of CALeVIP, with FCCP prioritizing projects in disadvantaged and low-income communities and on Tribal lands.

FCCP Window 2 will be open October 7, 2026 ‒ January 14, 2027, with incentives covering up to 100% of eligible installation costs for DC fast chargers, up to $100,000 per charging port.

FCCP Window 3 will be open February 24, 2027 ‒ May 27, 2027, with incentive levels capped at $55,000 per port regardless of power level with minimum output of 150kW.

This six-month technical assistance program provides practitioner-driven housing development fundamentals, peer-to-peer support, and approximately 20 hours of free, individualized TA from experts to help Tribal organizations maximize state housing funds and build internal capacity for construction. Federally recognized California Tribes, Tribally Designated Housing Entities, Tribes listed on the California heritage commission list, or Native-led 501(c)3 organizations involved in housing provision are eligible.

Cohort members receive $3,000 participation grant to cover travel and dedicated staff time, and can access an additional mini-grant of up to $10,000 for direct pre-development costs. The 2026 cycle is forthcoming.

The 2024 Climate Bond invests $10 billion in local projects that strengthen communities — protecting drinking water, reducing wildfire and flood risks, restoring natural places, supporting healthy working lands, and expanding access to parks and outdoor spaces. The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) published a comprehensive list of all Prop 4 Climate Bond Programs. You can skim the list for potential funding that is relevant for your Tribe and visit the program pages for details. The TECC Team is checking each program for forecast opportunities and will be updating this tracker with them.

State-funded Sustainable Communities grants 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. Federal-funded Strategic Partnerships and Strategic Partnership Transit grants support Federal Planning Factors and address State highway/transit issues of regional, interregional, and/or statewide significance, in partnership with Caltrans.