The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is inviting applications for the Community Air Grants (CAG) Cycle 5, as part of its Community Air Protection Program. This grant cycle supports projects aimed at reducing air pollution and improving air quality in communities disproportionately affected by air pollution. The application period opened on September 3, 2024, with the deadline for submissions set for November 1, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. PST. The grants will fund projects from June 2025 to March 2027 or December 2027, depending on the fiscal year funding source.
Cycle 5 includes three categories of projects with corresponding maximum award amounts: educational projects (up to $300,000), technical projects (up to $500,000), and focused projects (up to $500,000). Educational projects aim to build community capacity for participation in air quality initiatives, while technical projects support community air monitoring efforts. Focused projects involve implementing or expanding emission reduction strategies from approved Community Emissions Reduction Programs (CERP) or developing local CERPs with community involvement.
To help applicants prepare, CARB conducted pre-application assistance workshops on September 30, October 1, and October 8, 2024. These workshops provided guidance on developing competitive proposals, with materials available in both English and Spanish. Recordings, presentations, and summaries from the workshops are accessible for those who could not attend. Additionally, updated FAQs and grant resources are scheduled for release the week of October 21, 2024.
The application process requires submitting proposals via email, with completed applications including documentation like the CEQA Acknowledgement and other specified appendices. CARB encourages proposals from a range of stakeholders, including communities that have been part of previous grant cycles, tribal governments, air districts, and local organizations.
CARB's funding for Cycle 5 follows an extensive public engagement process, including a public comment period and draft RFA review in July and August 2024. The program prioritizes projects that target communities frequently nominated for air protection efforts, with a focus on collaborative approaches involving local governments and stakeholders to address air quality challenges.
