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ZEV Education Program

Advancing Zero-Emission Vehicle Workforce Development in California Community Colleges

FoundationCCC invites California community colleges to submit Call for Interest (CFI) proposals for investments aimed at increasing the number of individuals entering the workforce with skills related to Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEV). This program, aligned with California’s clean transportation goals, seeks to enhance ZEV-related education and workforce training, particularly for programs serving disadvantaged communities. The funding will support strengthening the state’s ZEV workforce and contributing to its ZEV transition.

This initiative is supported by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to promote the state’s transition to a zero-emission transportation system. CARB, through SB350, aims to transition California to selling only zero-emission new cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks by 2035. The efforts focus on reducing barriers to ZEV adoption in disadvantaged communities and areas overburdened by air pollution. Funding from this CFI will help California community colleges train a skilled workforce capable of supporting the growth and adoption of emerging ZEV technologies. Access to quality ZEV-related training programs is especially important in communities where good job opportunities are limited.

Eligibility

  • Applicants must be one of the 116 California Community Colleges or a foundation specifically serving a California Community College.
  • Applicants must directly support the expansion and/or enhancement of ZEV-relevant programs at California Community Colleges.
  • Eligible programs include, but are not limited to: ZEV manufacturing, vehicle maintenance, charging infrastructure manufacturing and installation, battery manufacturing, and other ZEV-relevant fields.

Initiative Budget and Expected Project Awards 

A total of $1,096,600 is available for colleges through CARB and the California Energy Commission (CEC). This funding is a one-time project budget that ends in April 2026. FoundationCCC will select between 4-8 CFI packages to be funded projects. Project awards will have a maximum amount of $275,000, although larger awards may be considered for exceptionally compelling projects with at least four awards going to campuses.

Submission Guidelines

The deadline for CFI proposals is Friday, October 11, by 5 p.m. Submissions must be submitted through the Submittable platform. Please ensure all sections are thoroughly completed, and all required documentation is attached. Submittable link provided below.

We look forward to receiving your proposals and working together to advance ZEV workforce development in California’s community colleges.

Applicant Webinar Recording

A prospective applicant webinar with information and step-by-step instructions about this CFI opportunity was hosted by FoundationCCC on Thursday, September 12, from 1:00-2:00 p.m. View the recording, slide deck, and Q&A here.

Webinar Slides
Webinar Q&A

Required Application Resources

*All applicants must include:
Budget Template
Work Plan Template
Letter of Support Template

ZEV Ambassador Program

In addition to the CIF, California Community Colleges can participate in a first-of-its-kind ZEV-focused Student Ambassador Program. This cohort leverages FoundationCCC’s peer-to-community model of student-driven outreach and engagement, providing colleges with on-the-ground support to promote their ZEV programs, including high school outreach to boost awareness and enrollment. FoundationCCC staff will collaborate with a college representative to develop a tailored outreach plan to meet your program’s unique goals and needs. Training, mentorship, outreach materials, and other resources will be provided by FoundationCCC.

Colleges responding to the CIF are encouraged to participate in this ZEV Student Ambassador opportunity. Colleges that do not respond to the CFI, but have active ZEV-related programming, are also encouraged to participate. For more information about the ZEV Student Ambassador Program and how your college can participate, please email: [email protected].