Grants

CARE’s California Carpet Stewardship Program provides grant funding to establish, increase, improve and enhance California-generated post‑consumer carpet (PCC) collection, recycling, and utilization in recycled-content product manufacturing.

Please email Abbie Beane, grants administrator, if you wish to be placed on the list to receive future grant program notices.

On this page:

Current Grant Cycles
Forms for Grant Recipients
Grant Case Studies
FAQs – Questions & Answers
Awardees
Video Introduction to the Grants Program

Current Grant Cycles

Capital Improvement Grants

Capital Grants provide funding for capital improvements that will establish, increase, improve and enhance additional California generated post‑consumer carpet (PCC) collection, reuse, recycling and/or utilization of recycled content product manufacturing. CARE will give preference to projects that can prove project impact in the first year of operations and have a proven track record of operational growth and success. This Cycle is closed until 2027.

The following was provided to applicants of Capital Improvement Grant Cycle 7A which closed March 31, 2025.

Cycle 7A Capital Improvement Grant Solicitation

Procedures and Requirements (January 2025)

Cycle 7A Terms and Conditions (January 2025)

Capital Grants Security Agreement

Product Testing Grants

Product Testing Grants Cycle 7B will provide funding for activities that will focus on product testing, research and development, and similar market development activities to improve and enhance post‑consumer carpet (PCC) recycling and utilization of recycled-content product manufacturing. CARE is particularly interested in proposals seeking to create new or reformulate existing products and applications using carpet backing material (known as post-consumer carpet calcium carbonate PC4), mixed fibers and carpet tiles. CARE has allocated up to $100,000 total to award to projects throughout Cycle 7B in 2026. Products and applications using PC4 or focused on fiber agnostic applications and carpet tile recycling/secondary markets will be prioritized. Applications will be accepted throughout 2026.

Testing Grant Cycle 7B Solicitation (January 2026)

Testing Grant (Cycle 5B) Questions and Answers

Cycle 7B Application Form

Cycle 7B Budget Template (download)

Cycle 7B Procedures and Requirements

Cycle 7B Terms and Conditions

Micro Grants for Collection/Reuse Cycle 5M

The purpose of the Micro Grants Program for Collection/Reuse – Cycle 5M is to promote the additional collection and reuse of California post-consumer carpet (PCC). The definition of “additional” under this program is PCC that was previously sent to landfill, alternative daily cover, waste-to-energy, kiln or used for carpet-as-alternative-fuel. Cycle 5M funds will be awarded for the infrastructure projects and/or purchase of equipment that supports the operational logistics of properly collecting and/or reusing California PCC under a new or established program.

$100,000 is funded annually for Cycle 5M Micro Grants Program for Collection/Reuse. Maximum grant awards for Cycle 5M will be limited to $15,000 for each grant awarded under this Program.

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a continuous basis until further notice. All projects must be complete within one year of the project’s Notice to Proceed. See the Solicitation below for complete details on eligibility, requirements and schedule:

Micro Grant Solicitation (January 2026)

Cycle 5M Micro Grant Application Form

CARE Micro Grant Budget Template

Cycle 5M Grants Procedures and Requirements

Cycle 5M Grant Terms and Conditions

Cycle 5M Application Template (if applicant does not wish to use online application form)

Innovation & Design Grants

CARE ‘s Innovation and Design Grant Program was launched to improve and enhance California-sourced PCC recycling. The purpose of the Innovation and Design Grant Program — Cycle 4 I&D is to provide funding for testing and development activities that create:

A more recyclable and environmentally sustainable carpet design and/or
Post-consumer carpet (PCC) products that are more reusable, recyclable and/or have a decreased environmental footprint and/or
A more effective circular economy for PCC throughout its supply chain.

The ultimate goal is to improve and enhance California-sourced PCC recycling and support California’s focus on building a circular economy.

Six grants have been awarded to date. See:

CARE has allocated up to $200,000 total to award to projects throughout this Program in 2026. Individual projects may apply for up to $100,000 in Cycle I&D funds. Cycle I&D grant funding will depend on the availability of funds from the California Carpet Stewardship Program.

Program applications are due no later than March 31, 2026 and projects must reach completion by December 31, 2027.

Innovation & Design Grant Solicitation (November 2025)

Innovation & Design Grants Question & Answers (Q&A) (December 2025)

Innovation & Design Grant Question & Answers (Q&A) (November 2022)

Innovation & Design Grant Terms and Conditions (February 2025; future dates to be adjusted)

Innovation & Design Grant Procedures and Requirements (February 2025)