Federal Fiscal Year 2028-2029 & 2029-2030 Surface Transportation Block Grant / Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program
Overview
The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA), as the County Transportation Commission (CTC), is responsible for prioritizing Orange County projects for Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ) funding as part of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Call for Project Nominations.
OCTA is developing Orange County prioritization guidance for the Federal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2028-2029 and FFY 2029-2030 STBG/CMAQ Call for Project Nominations.
Announcements
SCAG is developing the FFY 2028-2029 and FFY 2029-2030 STBG/CMAQ Program Guidelines, which establish the framework for project selection and allocation of STBG and CMAQ funds within the SCAG region.
OCTA is developing its Project Prioritization Framework, ranking criteria, and supplemental questions for Orange County projects. OCTA Board of Directors consideration of the Orange County prioritization guidance is anticipated in November 2026.
Additional application information and materials will be posted as they become available.
Schedule (Subject to Change)
|
Program Activity
|
Date
|
|---|---|
| Program Guidelines adoption by SCAG Regional Council | November 5, 2026 |
| Project Nominations Application Open for Submittal | February 1, 2027 |
| Local Agency Application Submission Deadline | April 2, 2027, 5 pm |
| OCTA Project Prioritization Scoring and Eligibility Reviews | April - July 2027 |
| OCTA Board STBG/CMAQ Program Project Prioritization | July 2027 |
| CTC Project Prioritization Packages Due to SCAG | August 2, 2027, 5 pm |
| SCAG RC Awards | November or December 2027 |
Application Materials
- SCAG Website: Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) & Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Programs (CMAQ)
- Program Guidelines: FFY 2028-2029 & FFY 2029-2030 STBG/CMAQ Program Guidelines (to be posted following SCAG Regional Council approval)
- OCTA Prioritization Guidance: (to be posted following OCTA Board approval)
- OCTA Ranking Criteria and Supplemental Questions: (to be posted following OCTA Board approval)
- Application Database: (link to be posted when the call opens)
Submittal Instructions
Project nominations must be submitted electronically through SCAG’s application process. No hard copy applications will be accepted.
Applicants should review both SCAG’s STBG/CMAQ Program Guidelines and OCTA’s Orange County prioritization guidance before submitting a project nomination.
Additional submittal instructions will be posted when the Call for Project Nominations opens.
Program Workshops, Office Hours and Workshop Materials
SCAG anticipates hosting program workshops in January 2027 to provide information on the STBG/CMAQ Program Guidelines, application process, and project nomination requirements.
OCTA will provide additional information regarding Orange County-specific application requirements, workshops, and technical assistance as it becomes available.
Workshop presentations and related materials will be posted here when available.
Additional Resources
- Application Criteria
- OCTA Board-Approved Prioritization Guidance (forthcoming)
- OCTA Ranking Criteria and Supplemental Questions (forthcoming)
- SCAG STBG/CMAQ Program Guidelines (forthcoming)
- Tools
- Prior Calls
Contact Information
Primary
Ben Ku
Section Manager, Formula Funding Programs
(714) 560-5473 | bku@octa.net
Nina Polishook
Transportation Funding Analyst
(714) 560-5071 | npolishook@octa.net