Browse grants

Department of Transportation · $50K–$700K

This Caltrans grant funds transportation planning projects for public agencies and tribal governments in California — not nonprofits, businesses, or individuals — with awards ranging from $50,000 to $700,000. Eligible projects must have a clear transportation nexus and generally support regional sustainability, greenhouse-gas reduction, and multimodal planning goals tied to SB 1 funding. Applications are due October 9, 2026.

Department of Transportation · $100K–$10M

Funds infrastructure projects that reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries on public roads, administered by California's Division of Local Assistance under the federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (23 U.S.C. §148). Open only to public agencies and tribal governments — not nonprofits, businesses, or individuals — for projects justified by crash data, crash rate, or crash-reduction potential. Awards range from $100,000 to $10,000,000 and are due 2026-11-03.

DOT - FAA Aviation Research Grants · Up to $6M

This FAA program funds aviation research grants and cooperative agreements supporting civil aviation and commercial space transportation, across topics like air traffic technology, aviation safety, weather, airports, and human factors, with awards up to about $6 million. Eligible applicants are public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit research institutions other than higher-education institutions. It is not open to individuals or businesses, and applicant eligibility can vary with the nature of the research proposed. This is a large-award program aimed at universities and nonprofit research organizations.

Air Resources Board · Up to $10M

Open to nonprofits and public agencies in California to serve as the administering partner for a statewide e-bike incentive program targeting low-income consumers; it funds one selected grantee organization rather than individual e-bike purchasers directly. Maximum award is up to $10 million. Note the listed application deadline (May 2022) has passed, so applicants should confirm whether this solicitation has reopened before applying.

State Treasurer's Office · Amount varies

California businesses, nonprofits, individuals, public agencies, and tribal governments building or expanding a manufacturing facility involving recycled feedstock, advanced manufacturing, alternative energy, or advanced transportation technologies can apply to CAEATFA for a sales and use tax exclusion on qualifying equipment purchases. This is a tax exclusion rather than a direct cash grant, so applicants should confirm it fits their funding needs; no dollar cap or deadline is specified here.

Wildlife Conservation Board · Amount varies

Open to nonprofits, public agencies, and tribal governments through the California Wildlife Conservation Board's Wildlife Corridor and Fish Passage program. Funds construction of wildlife crossings, removal of fish passage barriers, and related planning projects, with priority given to sites on state-identified wildlife movement or fish passage priority lists. No specific award amount or deadline is provided.

Department of Transportation · Amount varies

A loan program (not a grant), restricted to public agencies, for local airport projects such as hangars, general aviation terminals, utilities, fueling facilities, or matching a federal Airport Improvement Program grant. Loan terms run up to 17 years, with amounts based on project feasibility and the sponsor's financial situation. See the state's "State Dollars for Your Airport" guide for detailed eligibility.

Department of Transportation · Amount varies

Restricted to public agencies (not businesses or nonprofits); this reimbursable state grant matches up to 5% of a federal Airport Improvement Program grant, capped at $200,000 per project, for airport development or planning. The project must already be listed in the State Capital Improvement Plan and cannot begin until the state issues a formal notice to proceed.

FAA-COE-JAMS · Up to $20M

This FAA Joint Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials (JAMS) opportunity is restricted to member universities of the Center of Excellence, so most applicants will not be eligible. It funds research on composites and advanced materials for aircraft safety and certification, with awards potentially up to about $20 million across the program. The program is built around academic-industry-government cost-sharing partnerships, so expect a matching/cost-share expectation.