California is opening another round of transportation planning funding aimed at projects that improve mobility while addressing emissions, safety and climate resilience. Caltrans is accepting applications for approximately $35 million in Sustainable Transportation Planning Grants for projects throughout the state.
The program provides funding for planning activities that can help communities develop transportation strategies while supporting broader state mobility and environmental objectives.
Eligible applicants include transit agencies, local governments, regional and metropolitan transportation planning organizations, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments.
Grant-funded planning efforts are expected to address several transportation priorities, including greenhouse gas reduction, multimodal transportation improvements and increased resilience in communities facing natural disasters and extreme weather.
The annual funding comes from multiple sources, including Senate Bill 1, the State Highway Account, the Federal Transit Administration and the Federal Highway Administration.
Projects supported through the program are intended to strengthen transportation planning at the regional and community levels while contributing to statewide emissions reduction targets and improvements in transportation safety and mobility.
Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. Oct. 9, 2026. Caltrans plans to announce grant awards in spring 2027.
The agency will begin application workshops during the week of Aug. 24. Technical assistance will remain available to prospective applicants through the application deadline.
For local governments, transportation agencies and other eligible organizations, the program provides a funding source for planning work that can influence future infrastructure priorities, multimodal investments and community transportation strategies.
The grant program gives California communities access to dedicated funding before transportation projects advance into later planning and delivery stages. For contractors, developers and infrastructure stakeholders, planning investments can help establish future transportation priorities and project pipelines.
The statewide scope also provides opportunities for jurisdictions to address local mobility needs while aligning transportation planning with emissions reduction and resilience objectives.
Source: California Govt.
