California Grants

Conservancy priority for the funding is for projects that advance the evaluation of sea otter reintroduction as a potential recovery strategy for southern sea otters in California. This may include activities such as conducting biological and socioeconomic studies, stakeholder engagement, risk and impact analyses, baseline assessments, and other research and planning.   Other projects that plan, implement, or conducted research related to other critical recovery actions of the Federal Southern Sea Otter Recovery Plan will be considered as a second priority.  

Mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. Mitigation is taking action now, before the next disaster, to reduce human and financial consequences later. Effective mitigation requires that we all understand local risks, address the hard choices and invest in long-term community well-being and resilience. Without mitigation actions, we jeopardize our safety, financial security, and self-reliance. As the result of a Presidential Disaster Declaration, FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds plans and projects that reduce the effects of future natural disasters. In California, these funds are administered by the Cal OES HMGP Unit. Eligible subapplicants include state agencies, local governments, special districts, and some private non-profits. To learn more about the HMGP, visit: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Guidance and the FEMA Hazard Mitigation Assistance Guidance Addendum. Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) Funding Opportunity Cal OES Hazard Mitigation accepts Notice of Interest (NOI) on an ongoing basis for future funding opportunities. The NOI is intended to provide an opportunity for eligible subapplicants to propose well-defined mitigation actions that reduce risk to life and property from future natural hazards. Eligible subapplications that are not initially selected for submission to FEMA will be retained for future consideration when funding becomes available. Eligible Subapplicants include state agencies, local governments, special districts, and Federally-recognized tribes. Sub-applicants must have a FEMA-approved and locally adopted Local Hazard Mitigation Plan (LHMP) to be eligible for project grants. If your agency or jurisdiction does not have a LHMP, you may apply for grant funding to develop one. Single jurisdiction plans are limited to a maximum federal share of $150,000; Multi-jurisdiction plans are limited to a maximum federal share of $250,000. Some private nonprofit organizations are eligible for HMGP funding, consistent with 44 CFR §206.221and 206.434. Private nonprofit organizations are not required to have an LHMP to be eligible, but the County they are located in must meet the LHMP requirement.

This funding program provides financial assistance to small community water systems and public water systems serving disadvantaged communities to help them improve their drinking water infrastructure and ensure safe, clean water access.

This funding opportunity provides financial support to public agencies and nonprofit organizations in California to enhance employment services for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing, ensuring they have access to job counseling, placement, and necessary support services.

EBIP is intended to encourage adoption for low-income individuals of electric bicycles as a replacement for motor vehicle trips. Consistent with the goals of SB 375, EBIP would increase access to clean transportation options while offsetting vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by way of incentivizing electric bicycles (e-bikes). A portion of project funds would support the development and administration of a virtual bike safety class, so that consumers understand bicycle road safety. EBIP will provide incentives for eligible e-bikes to income-qualified consumers at the time of purchase, on a first-come, first-serve basis. Furthermore, EBIP will pilot an approach that aims to 1) help people replace car trips with e-bike trips, 2) increase access to electric bicycles, and 3) reduce GHG emissions. EBIP will be administered and implemented through a partnership between CARB and a Grantee, selected via this completive solicitation. Eligible applicants wishing to apply for the role of project administrator must submit an application via mail or in person to CARB no later than 5:00 p.m. (PDT) May 11, 2022. More information regarding the application process can be found in Section IX, Application Instructions of this solicitation.

Grants are provide to acquire mountainous or natural community conservation lands in the Coachella Valley and its surrounding mountains, or in limited cases, to provide capital improvements on existing conservation lands.  Priority acquisitions are those that support the implementation of the Coachella Valley Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan.   Matching funds are preferred, but not required.

Eligible Applicants: Local public agencies, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations qualified to do business in California, Public Utilities, Federally and non-federally recognized Native American tribes on the Native American Heritage Commission’s list, and Mutual water companies. Eligible Uses: Eligible projects include recycled water treatment; recycled water storage, distribution, and pumping; groundwater recharge; and indirect potable reuse. Ineligible Uses: Operation and maintenance costs.  Eligible Costs: All costs necessary to determine the feasibility of using recycled water and to select an alternative to offset or augment the use of fresh/potable water from state or local supplies may be eligible for the planning grant. Eligible Communities: All community types are eligible for funding.  This includes small and large communities, non-disadvantaged, disadvantaged, and severely disadvantaged communities. For more information, please review the Water Recycling Funding Program (WRFP) Guidelines: https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/grants_loans/docs/wrfp_guidelines.pdf  

Grants will be awarded for specific eligible activities, such as speaking on a panel, participating in a working group, or participation in other decision-making processes. The PP Grant Account cap per organization of $15,000 will ensure a proportional distribution of funds over time and across various organizations. Submissions for grant awards will be accepted on a rolling basis throughout the grant period and payment for these discrete engagements will be prompt.

This funding furthers the purposes of the Conservancy’s mission, enabling legislation Public Resources Code, Division 22.9, Sections 32630 et al. (“the San Diego River Conservancy Act”), the Conservancy’s Strategic Plan Update 2018-2023, and other state approved priorities and plans.

Draft program proposals are available on the program website.  This will be updated once final criteria are adopted.

This grant provides financial assistance to small businesses in California for upgrading, removing, or replacing underground storage tanks to meet safety regulations.

Hydrogen can serve as a zero-carbon energy carrier and act as a potential replacement for fossil fuels in hard-to-electrify applications, particularly for the transportation, industrial, and electricity generation sectors. For the purposes of this solicitation, clean hydrogen is defined as hydrogen produced from water using eligible renewable energy resources, as defined in Public Utilities Code 399.12, or produced from these eligible renewable energy resources. To achieve sustainable wide-scale deployment, hydrogen must be produced cleanly at increased scale and reduced cost. This solicitation aims to reduce the cost burden of clean hydrogen production through large-scale, centralized production coupled with storage, delivery, and pre-determined offtakers to support a comprehensive hydrogen value chain. Expected outcomes include the development and deployment of low-carbon, cost-competitive hydrogen production from renewable energy sources and reduced greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in hard-to-electrify sectors.   The 2022 California Air Resources Board (CARB) Scoping Plan estimates that by 2045, demand for low-carbon hydrogen increases nearly two-fold the current levels of fossil hydrogen – or a 1,700-fold increase in existing low-carbon hydrogen supply – especially to support emerging end uses such as heavy-duty vehicles, power generation, industrial process heat, and synthetic fuels for aviation. Hydrogen produced from water using renewable energy resources or produced directly from renewable energy resources can provide low-carbon energy and act as an alternative to fossil gas, helping meet California's GHG reduction goals of 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2045.     

The program prioritizes Projects that benefit vulnerable and LMI populations as well as those located inside the Most Impacted and Distressed area (MID) or documented to impact the MID. Per the grant requirements program funds must benefit the MID and 50 percent of the program funds are required to benefit LMI persons. Additionally, for CDBG-MIT funds to be used as the non-federal cost share local match, the Project must be a HUD eligible activity and must meet a HUD national objective, per CDBG-MIT rules and regulations. Similarly, the Project must fully comply with all applicable federal rules and regulations, to include Davis Bacon and related acts, Section 3, Section 504, procurement, environmental review, and all other CDBG-MIT, cross-cutting, state and local applicable statutes, rules, and regulations. Jurisdictions within the MID that do not meet the allocation requirements are still eligible to submit Projects towards a 20 percent set aside. Applicants will then be required to submit Project applications which will be reviewed against eligibility thresholds to ensure they meet program requirements. The following Jurisdictions will be eligible to apply towards the 20 percent set aside:o City of Agoura Hillso City of Andersono City of Calabasaso City of Chicoo City of Gridleyo City of Lakeporto City of Los Angeleso City of Orovilleo City of Shasta Lakeo City of Westlake Villageo Tribal Entities located within the MID  

This program provides funding to local and regional governments that have approved dedicated transportation fees or taxes, aimed at improving infrastructure, road conditions, active transportation, and transit systems.

This funding program provides financial assistance to community water systems in California for constructing and improving water infrastructure to ensure safe and clean drinking water for residents, particularly those in need.

The Alfred E. Alquist Hospital Facilities Seismic Safety Act (Health and Safety Code (HSC) Section 129675) requires that hospitals be constructed to remain open and safely provide services to the public after an earthquake. The Small and Rural Hospital Relief Program will administer this new grant program to eligible small, rural, or Critical Access hospitals that have limited funds for seismic safety retrofit requirements. Ten percent of the funds from the California Electronic Cigarette Excise Tax will be allocated to HCAI to fund the new program (HSC Section 130075). The SRHRP supports qualified small, rural and Critical Access hospitals by providing state grant funding and technical assistance to help meet seismic safety standards and preserve access to general acute care for the communities they serve. The program is being developed to assist qualified facilities with technical assistance for development of seismic improvement program planning, project planning and development, and financial grants to apply towards implementing each facility’s unique compliance program. The first step in qualifying for the program will be the application process, which will be used to determine if facilities meet the qualifications as either a small, rural or Critical Access hospital at risk of closure for financial reasons. Program applicants will be required to have current seismic compliance plans and agreed-upon project delivery plans on file with HCAI’s Seismic Compliance Unit prior to acceptance of funding package applications. A process will be employed to optimize use of available funds across all program participants based on need and adherence to approved project schedules.

This program provides funding to regional transportation agencies and local governments for projects that improve safety, reduce congestion, and enhance accessibility in transportation corridors while promoting economic development and environmental sustainability.

The Equity Leads were established in 2023 under Senate Bill 114, Section 79 (Chapter 48 of the Statutes of 2023) as part of the California Statewide System of Support as a key lead initiative, with a $2 million annual investment. The Equity Leads will partner with local educational agencies (LEAs) to identify barriers to opportunities implementations and services to meet the identified needs of all pupils, including by addressing disparities in opportunities and academic outcomes. Additionally, Equity Leads will identify existing resources (including support for educator preparation, recruitment, retention, and professional development) and monitor the impact of the implementation of local control and accountability plan goals. Equity Leads will prioritize support to schools receiving Equity Multiplier Funding.

This funding opportunity is designed to assist California Tribes in creating affordable housing solutions, including new construction and rehabilitation of existing properties, to support Native American communities, particularly those facing homelessness or at risk of it.

This funding provides $45 million to support educators and enhance learning resources for children in Pre-K through Grade 3 across California, focusing on early mathematical development.