Senate Bill 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Grant Program
Background
In 2021, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill 1 (Atkins, 2021) into law. Senate Bill 1 (SB 1) directs the state to provide funding to local and regional governments to develop sea level rise adaptation plans and implementation projects. As of January 2026, $21.3 million is available for funding SB 1 projects. Ultimately, OPC’s SB 1 Sea Level Rise Adaptation Grant Program (SB 1 Grant Program) aims to provide funding for coastal communities to develop consistent sea level rise adaptation plans and projects to build resilience to sea level rise along the entire coast of California and San Francisco Bay.
The SB 1 Grant Program is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Invest, formerly known as Cap-and-Trade, dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.
SB 1 Grant Program
The SB 1 Grant Program contains funding tracks for sea level rise adaptation planning (Track 1) and for the implementation of sea level rise adaptation projects (Track 2). Also see the Sea Level Rise Tribal Cultural Resources Funding Program.
Track 1: Planning
Track 1 proposals (Sea Level Rise Adaptation Planning Projects) are now being accepted through a rolling, quarterly process.
See the SB 1 Grant Program Solicitation (PDF) for details on this funding opportunity. Applicants must use the SB 1 Track 1 Proposal Template and Instructions (.docx), and be sure to address the minimum criteria listed in the Sea Level Rise Adaptation Criteria.
The SB 1 Grant Program operates on a rolling, quarterly basis, and proposals can be submitted at any time. However, all projects must be brought to Council meetings for funding approval and award. To help ensure projects are reviewed and considered for funding in a timely manner, the following interim deadlines have been established. These deadlines are associated with the earliest possible Council meeting at which the proposal may be considered for funding approval and award. Additional review or follow-up may require consideration and award at a subsequent Council meeting.
| Full Proposal Deadline (by 5 pm PT) | OPC Meeting Date (Earliest) |
|---|---|
| Friday, March 20, 2026 | June 16, 2026 |
| Friday, June 26, 2026 | September 22, 2026 |
| Friday, September 11, 2026 | December 8, 2026 |
Track 1 Application Materials
- OPC General Grant Guidelines (PDF)
- SB 1 Grant Program Solicitation (PDF)
- Sea Level Rise Adaptation Criteria (PDF)
- SB 1 Track 1 Proposal Template and Instructions (.docx)
- San Francisco Bay Shoreline Subregional Adaptation Plan Supplemental Questionnaire (.docx)
- Sector Specific Letter of Intent (.docx)
Additional Information
An Informational Webinar was held on February 10, 2025.
Office Hours for applicants interested in applying by the March 20, 2026 deadline will be held in late February. Check back in early February for more details.
Questions received and answers have been added to the SB 1 Grant Program Fact Sheet (PDF). It will be updated regularly to include relevant questions that arise.
Track 2: Implementation Projects
Track 2 (Sea Level Rise Implementation Projects) operates on a competitive basis that will be released annually, pending availability of funding. Round 1 is now open.
See the Track 2: Sea Level Rise Implementation Project Solicitation (PDF) for details on this funding opportunity. Applicants must use the SB 1 Track 2 Letter of Intent (LOI) Template and Instructions (.docx). Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal.
Letters of Intent are due Friday, February 20, 2026 by 5:00 p.m. See the solicitation for the full solicitation timeline.
Track 2 Application Materials
Additional Information
An Informational Webinar was held on January 21, 2026.
Questions received and answers will be added to the Track 2 Fact Sheet (coming soon). It will be updated regularly to include relevant questions that arise.
Sea Level Rise Tribal Cultural Resources Funding Program
The SLR Tribal Cultural Resources Funding Program is a dedicated funding track that supports California Native American tribes in planning for the impacts of sea level rise on their cultural resources and ancestral lands. For full information, details, and solicitation, please visit the Tribal Funding Program webpage.
Previously Awarded Projects
Since the launch of the SB 1 Grant Program, OPC has awarded funding to a range of Track 1 and Track 2 projects.
For a comprehensive and up-to-date list of awarded projects, please visit the California Grants Portal – SB 1 Grant Program.
Additionally, detailed project information can be found in the following staff recommendations:
- SB 1 Grant Program Staff Recommendation – June 2024 (PDF)
- SB 1 Grant Program Staff Recommendation – September 2024 (PDF)
- SB 1 Grant Program Staff Recommendation – December 2024 (PDF)
- SB 1 Grant Program Staff Recommendation – March 2025 (PDF)
- SB 1 Grant Program Staff Recommendation – June 2025 (PDF)
- SB 1 Grant Program Staff Recommendation – September 2025 (PDF)
- SB 1 Grant Program Staff Recommendation – December 2025 (PDF)
As of January 2026, $21.3 million remains available for future projects under the SB 1 Grant Program.
SB 1 Technical Assistance Program
The SB 1 Technical Assistance Program serves eligible SB 1 applicants facing significant and imminent sea level rise threats along the California coast and San Francisco Bay shoreline. The SB 1 Technical Assistance Program will prioritize applicants based on the following criteria:
- Environmental Justice (EJ) Communities: EJ communities are communities disproportionately impacted by environmental injustices and social inequities, and historically underserved. OPC’s Equity Plan acknowledges that EJ communities often face heightened exposure to environmental hazards in contrast to surrounding communities.
- Federally Recognized Tribes: The SB 1 Technical Assistance Program aims to address the historical injustices against all California Native American tribes. Federally recognized tribes, along with applicants who intend to build meaningful partnerships with both federally and non-federally recognized tribes, will be prioritized to receive technical assistance.
- Small and Rural Communities: The SB 1 Technical Assistance Program Team acknowledges that small and rural communities are often subject to their own set of climate adaptation challenges, including distance from critical services. Additionally, local government agencies in small and rural communities are often constrained on staffing and other capacity, making it challenging for them to respond to funding opportunities and fill planning gaps.
- Other: This criterion offers an opportunity for applicants to submit their locally-specific barriers to sea level rise planning, including, but not limited to: Jurisdiction has not completed a sea level rise vulnerability assessment or an adaptation strategy.
For more information on selection criteria and eligibility, please refer to the Criteria Explanation (PDF).
Technical Assistance Services
The program recognizes that applicants may require different levels of assistance. Technical assistance recipients will undergo categorization into low, medium, or high-level technical assistance based on the above criteria and an intake call, determining the tailored support they will receive. The table below outlines the available options for each category, offering a range of services that may be provided.
| Types of Services Provided | Intake Call | Low | Medium | High |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assistance in understanding SB 1 Grant requirements | x | x | x | x |
| Develop Technical Assistance and proposal submission workplan | x | x | x | x |
| Share resources and templates | x | x | x | x |
| Help with project conceptualization and development | x | x | x | |
| Grant writing review | x | x | x | |
| Grant writing assistance | x | |||
| Support development of proposal budget | x | x | ||
| Assessment of stakeholder/community needs | x | |||
| Engaging tribes and environmental justice communities | x | x | ||
| GIS mapping support | x | |||
| Data quantification support | x | |||
| Post-award grant agreement processing | x | x |
Technical assistance services are subject to change throughout the program period.
Instructions on How to Apply
To apply, fill in the linked initiation form (hosted by Coastal Quest) to the best of your knowledge. Coastal Quest will review your eligibility and initiate an intake call.
Not sure if you should apply?
We strongly encourage you to fill out the form to the best of your ability. The SB 1 Technical Assistance Program team will determine your eligibility. If you have any questions, please send an inquiry to OPCSB1TA@coastal-quest.org.
Contact
General Inquiries
OPC-SB1@resources.ca.gov