California Grants

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 solicitation has two purposes: 1) make $1,050,000 available to California Native American tribes for clean energy future planning as well as to better enable their participation in statewide clean energy and energy infrastructure planning activities and 2) make $500,000 available to local government entities to develop new or updated land use planning documents that support and advance the development of clean energy in their jurisdiction.

The California Climate Crisis Act (AB 1279, 2022) established targets to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 85% below 1990 levels and reach carbon neutrality by 2045. Supporting this legislation, the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) 2022 Scoping Plan specifies that carbon removal activities such as carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) are new approaches that will need to be deployed to help achieve these GHG emissions reduction goals. Carbon dioxide (CO2) utilization is a promising approach in facilitating adoption of carbon capture and carbon removal while partially diverting the need for long term transportation and underground storage of CO2. Current CO2 utilization technologies are at an early stage of development and bear technical, economic, and market uncertainty. The carbon footprint associated with the energy consumption required to convert CO2 into value-added products prevents large-scale deployment of these technologies. The purpose of this solicitation is to improve the energy efficiency of innovative approaches and processes for manufacturing commodities using CO2 captured from industrial operations burning fossil gas. The goal is to decarbonize difficult-to-abate industrial fossil gas use via carbon dioxide utilization to create value-added products.

This solicitation will target technologies that have the potential to demonstrate cost-effectiveness and scalable to multiple industrial facilities with potential to increase confidence for adoption.

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 purpose of this solicitation is to provide cost share funding to applicants that apply for and receive one of the following:  An award under an eligible federal Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) and meet the requirements of this solicitation, or  Follow-on funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to continue research from a previously awarded federal grant that also received Energy Commission federal cost share funding under PON-14-308, GFO-18-902, or this GFO and the proposed project meets the requirements of this solicitation.   Continuously Updated Eligible Cost Share Opportunities Before applying, applicants are encouraged to check Eligibility Requirements in Section II of this solicitation. As new eligible cost share opportunities are released, the Energy Commission will revise this document with corresponding information on how to apply for cost share for that funding opportunity. Information on currently eligible funding opportunities can be found in the Eligible Federal Funding Opportunities section of the Eligibility Requirements (Section II.A.). The Energy Commission will provide cost share only to applicants that are applying for a federal funding opportunity or follow-on funding as described above. If the applicant has already received a federal award or follow-on funding and is seeking retroactive cost share, that application will not be eligible for CEC cost share funds under this solicitation.

The project sites eligible for the grant must be located on 'farm and ranch' property, encompassing both private and public land, where the owner is not held responsible for the illegal disposal. The definition of 'farm and ranch' property can be found in the Eligible Geographies section below. Grantees are given approximately two years to complete the project(s). The sites should be fully remediated (cleaned up) using grant funds, or a combination of grant funds and in-kind contributions in terms of funds or services. The funding covers various costs, including Administrative, Recycling/Disposal (tires), Equipment, Material, and Personnel expenses. If necessary, measures for abatement and prevention, such as site security and public education/outreach efforts, should also be addressed. The program encourages innovative approaches. For further information and requirements, please refer to the Notice of Funds Available FY24-25 webpage, particularly the Application Guidelines and Instructions and Procedures and Requirements resource documents. The application typically includes several items for each project/site, such as Budget, Land Use/Zoning Designation, photos, Property Affidavit, Site Characterization, map, Work Plan, and Resolution. The Resolution is carried out through the governing body of the applicant (additional information is available). It is possible to include multiple projects/sites within a single application.

This grant provides funding to improve and create affordable coastal accommodations for Californians, especially those from low and middle-income households and underserved communities, to enhance their access to the coast.

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 grant provides financial support to organizations that participate in California Public Utilities Commission activities, helping to remove barriers to their involvement in policy decision-making processes.

This funding program provides financial assistance to address urgent drinking water needs and to clean up pollution when no responsible parties are available to manage the situation.

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.

Local education agencies (e.g., School Districts, Charter Schools, and County Offices of Education) must submit a successful request for application (RFA) describing how the LEA will both increase the number of early educators available to serve in the California State Preschool Program (CSPP) and Transitional Kindergarten (TK), and increase specific competencies for early educators within CSPP, TK, or Kindergarten (K) programs. Applicants must submit a letter of intent (LOI) to be eligible to apply for funding.

This funding opportunity provides financial support for projects that restore and protect salmon habitats in the Klamath River Watershed, specifically targeting collaboration with local Tribes and landowners to enhance resilience against drought and climate change.

This program provides funding to public agencies for the repair and improvement of boat ramps and related facilities to ensure safe and accessible boating experiences following damage from natural disasters or drought conditions.

This grant provides funding to local government agencies in California for the construction and improvement of facilities that enhance public access to waterways for recreational boating.

This grant provides funding to organizations and local governments in California for the installation and maintenance of sewage disposal facilities for recreational boats, promoting cleaner waterways and responsible boating practices.

The Employment Development Department (EDD) Workforce Services Branch (WSB), announces the availability of $2.7 million of Wagner-Peyser 10  percent Governor's Discretionary funds through this Solicitation for Proposals (SFP) for the DHH grant opportunity for PY 24-25. This program provides deaf and hard of hearing individuals with enhanced services and training in select America’s Job Center of CaliforniaSM (AJCC) locations throughout California. The program will ensure effective communication and increased service opportunities for deaf and hard of hearing individuals by providing specialized counseling, interpretive services, job placement, follow-up services and advocacy, and specialized training to assist them in becoming job ready. Eligible applicants for DHH PY 24-25 SFP include public agencies or private non-profit organizations. Individuals are not eligible apply. Proposals must be received by 3 p.m. PT on May 22, 2024. An informational webinar will be held on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. PT.  Pre-registration is recommended for all attendees. Please refer to the EDD's Workforce Development Solicitation for Proposals website link below for pre-register instructions: https://edd.ca.gov/en/jobs_and_training/WDSFP_Workforce_Development_Solicitations_for_Proposals The EDD encourages applicants to submit a Notice of Intent to apply by May 9, 2024 at noon to [email protected]. To view this SFP, visit the EDD Workforce Development Solicitations for Proposals webpage.

This funding program provides financial support to counties and their partners to develop proactive solutions for drinking water issues affecting households served by small and domestic wells, particularly in response to drought and contamination challenges.

This grant provides financial support to applicants seeking federal funding for clean hydrogen projects, specifically those applying for opportunities from the Department of Energy.