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What is smart growth?

Smart growth is an approach to community design that connects housing, transportation, and land use to create healthy, prosperous, and resilient neighborhoods.

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Smart Growth America cultivates vibrant, sustainable communities with diverse living and transportation options, enhancing quality of life for all.

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Smart Growth America cultivates vibrant, sustainable communities with diverse living and transportation options, enhancing quality of life for all.

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Smart Growth America cultivates vibrant, sustainable communities with diverse living and transportation options, enhancing quality of life for all.

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Throughout the year, we host a number of in-person and virtual events covering topics related to public health, social equity, and climate resilience.

All SGA@25 Celebration Equity Summit

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Complete Streets Champions join SGA staff on a walk during a convening in Washington, DC

Application open

Champions Institute

Providing mayors, city councilors, tribal chairpeople and councilors, and other local elected officials with knowledge and resources to support plans, policies, and funding that promote safe community environments to be physically active. Applications are due Friday, January 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET.

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About the Champions Institute Application requirements Application form

Application form

Champions Institute Application Form

Applicant Contact Information

First Name *

Last Name *

Address *

City *

State *

Phone *

Email *

Web Page (If applicable)

Social Media (If applicable)

Contact Person (If one exists beyond the applicant)

Name of Contact

Address

Phone

Applicant’s Elected Office

Select One *

Jurisdiction the Applicant Works In

Short answer *

Open Response Questions

1. Why are you applying to the Champions Institute? How will participating in the Champions Institute help you serve your community? *

0/350 words

2. How will participating in the Champions Institute help your community? *

0/350 words

3. What is the community’s interest in safe community environments for physical activity and Complete Streets? *

0/125 words

4. Please describe any other current or recent work in your area related to supporting Complete Streets, and other community design changes to increase physical activity and active transportation. These can be policies, resolutions, frameworks, plans, research, or any other efforts to promote safe community environments for physical activity. *

0/125 words

Supporting Materials (Optional)

1. Please help us understand your community better by providing a brief description and 1-3 photos of your community, including areas where Champions Institute might support improvements. By submitting these photos, you give permission for Smart Growth America to share via email, social media, etc.

0/125 words

Photos

Max size: 10 MB • Allowed: .pdf,image/*

2. To help us assess community support for safe community environments for physical activity and Complete Streets in your jurisdiction, please attach any letters of support for your application from any elected or other community leaders. The letter(s) should state the commitment of the letter writer to support implementation of local initiatives related to safe community environments for physical activity and Complete Streets.

Max size: 10 MB • Allowed: .pdf,.doc,.docx,image/*

Eligibility

1. Have you or your community received related technical assistance from SGA in the past? *

YesNo

2. Have you or your community received related technical assistance from the CDC, other federal agencies, or their contractors or grantees in the past? *

YesNo

3. Are you applying for related technical assistance from CDC, other federal agencies, or their grantees or contractors? *

YesNo

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