Details
Purpose:
The Sustainable Communities and Strategic Partnerships grants aim to support local and regional multimodal transportation and land use planning projects that align with California’s Regional Transportation Plans (RTP) Sustainable Communities Strategies (SCS) while contributing to greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction efforts.
Description:
Administered by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the Sustainable Transportation Planning Grant Program is in line with the goals set forth in Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), signed into law in 2017. This legislation established a reliable funding source for maintaining and enhancing the state’s multimodal transportation system, allocating approximately $25 million in SB 1 funds specifically for Sustainable Communities Grants each grant cycle.
The total funding available for Sustainable Communities grants is $30 million, intended to facilitate the implementation of RTP SCS/Alternative Planning Strategies that contribute toward California’s ambitious GHG reduction targets—40% below 1990 levels by 2030 and 85% by 2045. Projects must demonstrate a direct benefit to the multimodal transportation system and are expected to enhance public health, social equity, environmental justice, and provide community benefits.
For more information, applicants can refer to the STPG Application Guide available on the STPG website.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligible Applicants:
- Public Agency
- Tribal Government
Applicants must ensure that their planning projects maintain a transportation nexus as outlined in Article XIX, Sections 2 and 3 of the California Constitution. Additional eligibility criteria can be found in the STPG Application Guide on the STPG website.
Matching Funding Requirement:
For Sustainable Communities grants, there is an 11.47% local match requirement, though Native American Tribal Governments are exempt from this. Strategic Partnerships grants require a 20% local match, while Strategic Partnerships-Transit grants have an 11.47% local match requirement.