Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program

The Extreme Heat and Community Resilience Program is administered by the Integrated Climate Adaptation and Resiliency Program (ICARP), which is housed within California's Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation (LCI). This program was established in response to increasing climate threats, particularly the rising frequency and severity of extreme heat events. Extreme heat poses significant health risks, strains infrastructure, and disproportionately impacts disadvantaged and historically marginalized communities. To mitigate these dangers, the program funds planning and infrastructure projects that protect Californians most vulnerable to extreme heat effects, with a strong emphasis on harm reduction, community belonging, collaboration, and systemic transformation. In its second round of funding, the program is offering $27.5 million in total awards sourced from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and Proposition 4 Bond funds. Two distinct project types are supported: Early Transformative Infrastructure Projects and Advanced Transformative Infrastructure Projects. Early Transformative Projects receive between $600,000 and $1 million and focus on infrastructure planning, including demonstration elements that inform long-term solutions. Advanced Transformative Projects, with award amounts ranging from $2.5 million to $4 million, are intended for full-scale infrastructure deployment and require more advanced planning and readiness. Both project types mandate spending allocations across core program values—specifically harm reduction, community belonging, and partnership. Eligible applicants include local or regional public entities, California Native American Tribes, community-based organizations (CBOs), coalitions sponsored by a nonprofit or academic institution, and public higher education institutions. Most applicants are required to partner with at least one entity of a different type—for example, CBOs must partner with local governments or Tribes. Tribal applicants may apply without co-applicants. All infrastructure must be located in California’s Priority Populations as defined by the California Climate Investments Priority Populations Mapping Tool. Projects must be completed within a 30-month term. The grant provides funding on a reimbursement basis, with advance payments considered in some cases. The application process begins with a mandatory Pre-Application Interest Form submitted through the Submittable platform. Two submission windows exist: Window 1 includes the opportunity to request technical assistance, while Window 2 does not. Both windows involve a review of basic eligibility and project alignment. Applicants who complete this stage will be invited to submit a full application. The full application includes detailed narrative responses on project scope, harm reduction, partnership collaboration, transformation strategies, and belonging elements. Additionally, a comprehensive workplan and budget spreadsheet must be uploaded. Projects are evaluated based on narrative quality, alignment with values, and readiness. All applications undergo a three-phase review process: eligibility screening, interagency scoring panel, and final interview. Award announcements are made after interviews and staff recommendations. Upon award, recipients must execute a contract with the state and provide supporting documentation including partnership agreements and financial statements. Additional post-award activities include technical assistance, peer learning, and quarterly reporting. Participating in program events and submitting progress updates is mandatory for all grantees. The program expects grantees to produce a final report and case study upon completion. The program does not require matching funds. All awarded funds must be spent in accordance with specified cost eligibility rules, and any indirect costs are capped at 15%. Awardees are encouraged to engage with community members throughout project planning and implementation to ensure that solutions are both culturally relevant and equitably developed. The program prioritizes projects that create long-term benefits, are rooted in community input, and support future resilience beyond the initial grant term. Contact for the program is available through Braden Kay at the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation via [email protected].

Projects should demonstrate harm reduction and belonging, have a strong co-applicant structure, and meet infrastructure allocation targets.