Round 11a Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC) Planning Grants

Department of Conservation · State of California

At a glance

Round 11a Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC) Planning Grants is a closed California state grant opportunity from the Department of Conservation (State of California). The application deadline was January 15, 2026. Applicant types listed as eligible include nonprofit, public agency and tribal government. It is listed on the California Grants Portal. Cost sharing or matching is required.

Summary assembled from the official notice's fields. The official notice governs.

Key facts

Nov 20, 2025Posted
Jan 15, 2026Application deadline

Opened: Nov 20, 2025
Close date: Jan 15, 2026
Award floor: Not specified
Award ceiling: Not specified
Est. total funding: Not specified
Expected awards: Not specified
Matching funds: Required
Funding instrument: Grant

Program details (as published on the California Grants Portal)

Type: Grant
Funding source: State — Funding comes from FY2025-2026 Cap-and-Invest auction proceeds and residual funds that become available from disencumbered projects.
Matching funds: 10% — Awarded projects can receive up to 100% funding for eligible Planning grant projects found to benefit priority populations. See the guidelines for more details.
Funding method: Reimbursement(s) — Grants will reimburse grantees and participating stakeholders for allproject-related eligible direct costs, including staff salaries and other direct costsincurred during the grant performance period. All eligible costs must besupported by appropriate documentation. Costs incurred outside of theperformance period, indirect/overhead costs, travel, food or beverages, andcosts for CEQA document preparation are not eligible for reimbursement.
Estimated number of awards: Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
Estimated award amounts: Dependant on number of submissions received, application process, etc.
Award period: 2 years
Expected award announcement: April 2026
Letter of intent: Required
Geography: State of California
How to submit: Online: https://www.conservation.ca.gov/dlrp/grant-programs/SALCP
Latest change note: Updated pre-proposal requirement.

Who can apply

Applicant categories as listed on the California Grants Portal. GrantsJunction maps them to detailed applicant types for search and matching.

Nonprofit
Public Agency
Tribal Government

Additional information on eligibility (from the listing)

Eligible Applicants, Land Use Planning grants:CitiesCountiesCalifornia Native American TribesCouncils of GovernmentGroundwater Sustainability AgenciesLAFCOsRegional Transportation Planning AgenciesSpecial Districts with land use or transportation authorityRCDs, special districts, academic institutions, land trusts and other ag non-profit organizations may apply if they partner with an entity listed above. See Guidelines for more details.

Can your organization apply?

A quick check against the listed applicant types — other requirements in the notice still apply.

Based on the published notice. Review the official notice for complete eligibility requirements.

What it funds

Purpose and description as published on the California Grants Portal.

Purpose

To protect critical agricultural lands, to support infill & compact development, and to avoid increases in the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the conversion of agricultural land to non-agricultural uses. Planning grants support the development of local and regional land use policies and economic development strategies to protect these agricultural lands. Note: pre-proposals are required, deadline for submittal is January 15, 2025.

Description

The Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program supports the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emission goals by making strategic investments to protect agricultural lands. Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Planning Grants support the development and implementation of plans for the protection of agricultural land at risk of conversion to non-agricultural uses, maintaining the economic viability of the region’s agricultural lands, and developing the economic viability of regional food systems and infrastructure to support the production, aggregation, processing and distribution of agricultural products.

Program page on the agency site ↗

Program contact (as published)

Shanna Atherton-Bauer
Shanna.atherton@conservation.ca.gov
1-916-858-9724

Quick answers

Who is eligible to apply for “Round 11a Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC) Planning Grants”?

The official listing names these applicant types as eligible: Nonprofit, Public Agency and Tribal Government. It adds: “Eligible Applicants, Land Use Planning grants:CitiesCountiesCalifornia Native American TribesCouncils of GovernmentGroundwater Sustainability AgenciesLAFCOsRegional Transportation Planning AgenciesSpecial Districts with land use or transportation authorityRCDs, special districts,…” Additional restrictions may apply; review the full guidelines.

How do I apply for “Round 11a Sustainable Agricultural Lands Conservation Program (SALC) Planning Grants”?

Applications go directly to Department of Conservation, not through GrantsJunction. Submission: online at https://www.conservation.ca.gov/dlrp/grant-programs/SALCP. Read the program guidelines on the agency's site first; state programs set their own forms and registration requirements.

Other open California state opportunities, matched on agency, categories and wording.

OpenState of California