2026 SCAG Sustainability Award Application

2026 SCAG Sustainability Awards
For over 15 years, SCAG has highlighted excellence in sustainable planning and projects across Southern California through the annual Sustainability Awards. The SCAG Sustainability Awards recognize projects for outstanding contributions to the goals and policies of Connect SoCal, SCAG’s Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, and for contributing to a more mobile, sustainable, and prosperous region.

SCAG presents Sustainability Awards in nine categories. Applicants may submit project nominations in only one category. Each year, SCAG selects an exceptional project among all nominations to receive the Outstanding Achievement in Sustainability Award. The winners will be recognized at the 2026 Regional Council Conference and General Assembly at the JW Marriott Resort & Spa in Palm Desert on May 7.

Eligibility & Deadline

The SCAG Sustainability Awards are open to governmental agencies. Non-governmental agencies such as community-based organizations, nonprofits, and universities can apply in partnership with governmental agencies. Applicants are also encouraged to submit a joint entry for projects that span multiple agencies, sectors, and geographies. Submittals should include projects completed or adopted between Jan. 1, 2022, and Dec. 31, 2025.

Deadline for Applications: Dec. 19, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

Evaluation Process & Criteria

Projects will be evaluated using the 2026 SCAG Sustainability Awards Scoring Rubric found in the Call for Nominations Guidelines. Criteria include benefits to disadvantaged communities, collaboration, outcomes, and innovation.

Contact

For questions regarding the 2026 SCAG Sustainability Awards, please contact Sebastian Shetty at shetty@scag.ca.gov.
Part 1: Nominee/Project Information
Title of Project*
Project Adoption, Construction, or Completion Date*

MonthDayYear
Date
City/Agency/Jurisdiction*
Project Website (if applicable)
Select a Category that Best Fits Your Project*
Primary Contact Person
Name*

First NameLast Name
Title
Agency*
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email*
example@example.com
Secondary Contact Person
Name

First NameLast Name
Title
Agency
Phone Number
Please enter a valid phone number.
Email
example@example.com
Did this project receive grant funding or technical assistance from SCAG?

YesNo
Part 2: Description of Nomination and Alignment

(maximum 1000 words)
Please provide a brief summary of the nominated project, program, plan, or policy and describe how it supports Connect SoCal, sustainability, and aligns with the and award category.*

0/1000
Part 3: Key Characteristics

(maximum 1000 words)
Please refer to the 2026 SCAG Sustainability Awards Scoring Rubric found in the Call for Nominations Guidelines.
Please describe specific key details on the plan, policy, program, or project, such as planned, targeted, or achieved outcomes, benefits and co-benefits, and any key collaborations/partnerships that have been crucial. Be sure to address the criteria in the rubric.*

0/1000
Part 4: Vulnerable/Disadvantaged Community Benefits

(maximum 1000 words)
Please list how the plan, policy, program, or project benefits and/or includes traditionally marginalized, vulnerable, or underrepresented communities. *

0/1000
Part 5: Partners/Collaborators Recognition

(maximum 1000 words)
You have the option to identify key collaborators/partners that have played an important role in the initiative, such as other agencies, consultants, community-based organizations, etc. Should your application be awarded these key collaborators would be recognized. This is optional and does not affect application scoring since collaborations/partnerships are included in Part 3 (Key Characteristics) of the application.

0/1000
Uploads
Photos/Supporting Graphics (Required)

Please submit up to eight photos and supporting graphics in JPG format. The maximum size for each upload is five megabyte. Please include a brief one-sentence description for each image in the field below the file upload.

(Winning projects will be asked to collaborate in creating content to showcase their project at SCAG’s 2026 Regional Conference and General Assembly.)
Photos/Supporting Graphics Upload*

8 files maximum
Cancelof
Provide filename and description for each file uploaded below. Click the "Save & Add Row" button to add lines for additional files. *
Letters of Support (Optional)

Submit no more than two letters of support from organizations and individuals involved in the project indicating why the project is worthy of an award. Letters of support must be on the supporting agency’s letterhead and in PDF format.
Letters of Support Upload

2 files maximum
Cancelof
Additional Links (Optional)
Please submit any additional links to help the jury panel better understand your project. These can be promotional videos, project websites, etc. Click the "Save & Add Row" button to add lines for additional links.
Should be Empty:

2026 SCAG Sustainability Awards

Eligibility & Deadline

Deadline for Applications: Dec. 19, 2025, at 11:59 p.m.

Evaluation Process & Criteria

Contact

Part 1: Nominee/Project Information

Primary Contact Person

Secondary Contact Person

Part 2: Description of Nomination and Alignment

Part 3: Key Characteristics

Part 4: Vulnerable/Disadvantaged Community Benefits

Part 5: Partners/Collaborators Recognition

Uploads

Photos/Supporting Graphics (Required)

Letters of Support (Optional)

Additional Links (Optional)