FY 2022-23 Clean Mobility in Schools (CMIS) and the Sustainable Transportation Equity Project (STEP)

Details

Purpose:

The California Air Resources Board hopes to fund multiple clean transportation projects in 2 to 4 low-income and disadvantaged communities. These projects, such as active transportation infrastructure, public transit, bikeshare, microtransit, school transportation, workforce training, and education and outreach campaigns, will work together to increase transportation equity and support a zero-emission transportation future.  

Description:

CMIS and STEP grants fund a variety of planning and capacity building, clean transportation, and supporting projects that work together to increase transportation equity and achieve the community’s vision by addressing community-identified needs, increasing access to key destinations and services, and reducing GHG emissions and passenger vehicle miles traveled. These programs have the flexibility to fund many different types of projects to ensure that CARB funds can help meet the needs of each community within that community’s context.

CMIS projects include planning for and implementation of shared mobility projects, active transportation projects, school-related zero-emission fleets, school buses, and landscaping equipment. Additionally, capacity building efforts such as education programs, training programs, and curriculum development have tremendous potential when incorporated into CMIS projects. STEP projects include new or expanded public transit and shared mobility services; active transportation infrastructure; and workforce development, planning, and capacity building activities that support clean transportation and transportation equity. For a full list of example project types, refer to page 17 of the Request for Applications (RFA). 

This RFA is a two-phase process. First, Applicants will apply to the Concept Phase by September 8, 2023. The Concept Phase is intended to reduce the resources needed to apply for funding while still providing sufficient information for CARB to evaluate the proposed projects. Interested parties must apply to the Concept Phase to be considered for the Full Phase and eventual funding awards.

Technical assistance is available to support potential Applicants. To receive guaranteed technical assistance, Applicants must sign up by August 11, 2023, but Applicants are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible to begin receiving assistance earlier in the application process.  

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Applicants:

  • Business
  • Nonprofit
  • Public Agency
  • Tribal Government

Eligible Lead Applicants include community-based organizations, local governments (including public school districts), and tribal governments. Eligible Sub-applicants include many different types of public, private, or nonprofit organizations that will directly implement projects. Each application must include partnerships between a Lead Applicant, Sub-applicants, and Community Partners. Refer to page 13 of the RFA for more information.

Eligible Geographies:

Each application must identify and describe the Project Community, which is the geographic area that will be the focus of the project benefits. More than 50 percent of the geographic area of the Project Community must be within low-income or disadvantaged community census tracts.

Important Dates

The date (and time, where applicable) by which all applications must be submitted to the grantmaker. Time listed as “00:00” equates to midnight.
The date on which the grantor expects to announce the recipient(s) of the grant.
12/8/23
The length of time during which the grant money must be utilized.
5/15/24 - 3/15/27

Funding Details

The total projected dollar amount of the grant.
$29,650,000
A single grant opportunity may represent one or many awards. Some grantors may know in advance the exact number of awards to be given. Others may indicate a range. Some may wish to and wait until the application period closes before determining how many awards to offer; in this case, a value of “Dependent” will display.
2 – 4
Grant opportunities representing multiple awards may offer awards in the same amount or in varied amounts. Some may wish to wait until the application period closes before determining per-award amounts; in this case, a value of “Dependent” will display.
Dependent
Certain grants require that the recipient(s) provide a letter of intent.
Yes ( see Description for details )
Certain grants require that the recipient(s) be able to fully or partially match the grant award amount with another funding source.
No
The funding source allocated to fund the grant. It may be either State or Federal (or a combination of both), and be tied to a specific piece of legislation, a proposition, or a bond number.
  • State
The manner in which the grant funding will be delivered to the awardee. Funding methods include reimbursements (where the recipient spends out-of-pocket and is reimbursed by the grantor) and advances (where the recipient spends received grant funds directly).
  • Advances & Reimbursement(s)

How to Apply

State agencies/departments recommend you read the full grant guidelines before applying.

Resources

For questions about this grant, contact:
Bree Swenson and Heather Choi, 1-916-440-8284, step@arb.ca.gov