Climate Change Research Program
Forecasted
Climate Change Research Program supports researchers and community partners in research on emissions, clean energy, adaptation, and resilience to advance California’s climate goals and equitable outcomes.
Funder: California Strategic Growth Council
Due Dates (Anticipated): January 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $4.75 million in Round 3 funding (historical); almost $34 million distributed across three rounds
Summary: Supports partnership-based research that advances California’s climate goals and delivers practical benefits to its communities and ecosystems.
Key Information: Applications must budget for at least one funded non-academic partner and include ongoing engagement and an outreach strategy.
Description
The Climate Change Research Program (CCR), administered by the California Strategic Growth Council, funds actionable research on reducing greenhouse gas emissions, clean energy, adaptation, and resilience. Part of California Climate Investments, the program uses cap-and-trade proceeds to fill research gaps and translate findings into practical climate action, with particular attention to low-income, disadvantaged, and climate-vulnerable communities.
CCR places researchers and community partners at the center of the research process, from project design through delivery of findings. Its Participatory Research to Policy Model emphasizes equitable partnerships, meaningful engagement, and community solutions. Projects can produce accessible data, planning tools, technology demonstrations, and other resources that help communities and policymakers act on California’s climate priorities.
