Any mayor, city councilor, tribal chairperson or chief executive, tribal council member, or other local elected official may apply to become a participant within the Champions Institute. Individuals who have already completed a Champions Institute are not eligible to apply again. However, participants from jurisdictions who have already participated in the Champions Institute or other Smart Growth America technical assistance programs are eligible to apply. If you have questions about eligibility, please contact Smart Growth America at [email protected].

Applications for the Champions Institute will be evaluated based on the following criteria established by SGA.

• SGA staff will review each application for completeness. Only complete applications shall advance to the next step.
• A committee will review each application per the criteria listed below.
• SGA will determine which applications best meet the selection criteria and offer a formal invitation to participate to those individuals. 
• SGA reserves the right to reject any or all applications as not meeting its requirements.
• Successful applicants will be notified beginning February 17, 2026. 

The primary selection criteria are:

• Interest in improving safe community environments for physical activity in the applicant’s community: The applicant should demonstrate interest in implementing more safe community environments for physical activity and Complete Streets in their jurisdiction/community as a way to address public health, transportation safety, and economic development. The applicant should also demonstrate existing commitment to their community’s vision.
• Need for technical assistance: The Champions Institute is seeking leaders from communities that are interested in smart growth and/or Complete Streets strategies but who may not have the current capacity or connections to experts to implement local solutions. Applications should address broader concerns in their community including who has reduced access to safe places to be active , along with other factors that may speak to the community’s needs.
• Involvement of other community leaders and organizations: Evidence of support for the applicant from elected and other leaders in the local community, including commitment to supporting safe community environments for physical activity and Complete Streets.
• Ability to commit to time requirements: Applicants should affirm their commitment to fully participating in all activities and sessions if selected for the Champions Institute. Applicants are reminded that Champions Institute Champions may not appoint substitutes to participate in Champions Institute functions on their behalf.

Other factors that will affect the selection of communities to participate in the Champions Institute:

• Geography: To the extent possible, the selected Champions Institute participants and/or communities should reflect a variety of states, regions, and communities across the U.S. as well as a range of population sizes.
• Size and demographics: The degree to which the application contributes to the variety of the communities being assisted through this program—and that have adopted smart growth more broadly—with an emphasis on low income areas, small- and mid-sized cities, or rural communities.
• Existing gaps: The extent to which the applicant is able to demonstrate how the Champions Institute would address existing gaps in their communities as they relate to public health, transportation, and related topics.
• Past or current receipt of assistance: The degree to which the community has received or is currently receiving assistance related to safe community environments for physical activity or Complete Streets. Additionally, how this support would further the implementation of Complete Streets and related initiatives through the Champions Institute or how this program can provide appropriate guidance for the use of other funds.
  
  • Has the community received related technical assistance from the CDC or other federal, state, or local agencies in the past related to community design, active transportation, or economic development?
  • Is the community currently applying for or receiving technical assistance or funding from the CDC or other federal agencies? If yes, how will the assistance work with this application complement or leverage the other assistance already received or being applied for?