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

Current Grant Cycles

Capital Improvement Grants

The Capital Improvement Grant Program provides 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.

Cycle 6A of the capital grants program is open to public and private businesses, nonprofits and local agencies. Applications will open in Q1 2023.

CARE will allocate $850,000 total to award to projects throughout Cycle 6A (2023-25). Individual projects may apply for up to $500,000 in Cycle 6A funds. CARE may reissue this grant solicitation after the first round of applications are received, based on available funding and market readiness. CARE will give preference to projects that have a proven track record of operational growth and success.

Cycle 6A Application Form – to come

Cycle 6A Budget Template

Cycle 6A Procedures and Requirements

Cycle 6A Terms and Conditions

Capital Grants Security Agreement

Product Testing Grants

Product Testing Grants support 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.

Assistance may include, but is not limited to, the following projects:

Investigating the use of California-generated PCC material to manufacture established products that do not currently use recycled post-consumer carpet material (i.e. feedstock conversion).
Testing and/or certifying new or reformulated products containing California-generated PCC material.
Feasibility and/or pilot project studies on potential new uses of California PCC material.

Program applications are due no later than December 31, 2022 and projects must reach completion by December 31, 2023.

Cycle 5B Product Testing Grant Solicitation

Cycle 5B Application Form

Cycle 5B Budget Template (download)

Cycle 5B Procedures and Requirements

Cycle 5B 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. Grantees must achieve project completion by December 31, 2023, or within one year of the project’s Notice to Proceed, whichever comes first. See the Solicitation below for complete details on eligibility, requirements and schedule:

Cycle 5M Micro Grant Solicitation

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)

Collection Strategies/Small Infrastructure Award Pilot Program

CARE’s pilot program aims to increase the convenience and amount of post-consumer carpet collection. The New Collection Strategies/Small Infrastructure Award Pilot Program will provide funding for new initiatives and strategies that will increase, improve and enhance the collection of California-generated post-‑consumer carpet (PCC) or introduce strategies to significantly increase current PCC collection from locations not currently recycling with CARE or CARE partners. The precise focus of this Program is subject to adjustment by CARE, consistent with the overall goals of the Program. Program applications are due no later than March 31, 2022.

CARE has allocated $150,000 to award to the top 3 to 6 projects chosen for funding by March 31, 2022. Maximum award is $50,000 and awardees must achieve project completion by June 30, 2023.

Innovation & Design Grants

CARE has launched an Innovation and Design Grant Program to improve and enhance California-sourced PCC recycling. The I&D grants will provide funding for testing and development activities that create:

a more recyclable and environmentally sustainable carpet design and/or
secondary post-consumer carpet content products that are more reusable, recyclable and/or have a decreased environmental footprint.

CARE has allocated up to $200,000 total to award to projects in 2022. Individual projects may apply for $10,000 to $100,000 in Cycle I&D funds. Grantees must achieve project completion by June 30, 2024. The program will accept applications through February 28, 2023. Private businesses and non-profit organizations are eligible; colleges, universities and research institutions are encouraged to apply.

Innovation & Design Grant Solicitation (rev. January 2023)

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

Innovation & Design Grant Terms and Conditions

Innovation & Design Grant Procedures and Requirements