Federal Grant Opportunities
This page highlights recent federal grant opportunities. We provide these links to help users find information on federal grants and funding. Other federal grant programs are listed at www.grants.gov. We suggest subscribing to grant e-mail alerts that notify you electronically when new funding is available.
Current Opportunities
Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning
FTA announced the availability of approximately $10 million in competitive grant funds through a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for FTA’s Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning. The funds will support comprehensive planning efforts that help connect communities, improve access to public transportation and affordable housing, and support President Biden’s call to combat climate change, advance environmental justice, and promote equitable delivery of benefits to underserved communities.
Application deadline: June 21, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern
MassDOT Community Transit Grant Program
The Community Transit Grant Program awards funds to help meet the transportation and mobility needs of seniors and people with disabilities. The annual competitive program distributes Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Section 5310: Enhanced Mobility of Seniors & Individuals with Disabilities funds and State Mobility Assistance Program (MAP) funds. Councils on Aging, nonprofits, transit authorities, municipalities, and some taxis can apply for funding for vehicles, mobility management projects, or operating expenses to expand mobility for older adults and people with disabilities
Application deadline: June 25, 2021 at 5:00 PM Eastern
Closing the Gap with Social Determinants of Health Accelerator Plans
The CDC has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Closing the Gap with Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Accelerator Plans. This funding opportunity is meant to accelerate state, local, tribal and territorial efforts that may lead to improvements in chronic disease outcomes for persons experiencing health disparities and inequities. Up to $125,000 in grant funding will be made available to support efforts to address SDOH in sectors such as housing, transportation and social services. CDC will fund up to 20 projects.
Application deadline: July 6, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern
Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grants
The U.S. Department of Transportation has published a Notice of Funding Opportunity for $1 billion in the newly named Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grants formerly known as BUILD Transportation Grants. Projects for RAISE funding will be evaluated based on merit criteria that include safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, economic competitiveness, state of good repair, innovation, and partnership. Eligible applicants for RAISE grants are State, local, Tribal, and U.S. territories’ governments, including transit agencies, port authorities, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and other political subdivisions of State or local governments.
Application deadline: July 12, 2021 at 5:00 PM Eastern
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the availability of $10 million in Fiscal Year 2021 competitive grant funding to support transit services for American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native villages in rural areas. Applications will be evaluated based on criteria outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity, including how the project will improve the quality of life for the tribe and surrounding communities.
Application deadline: August 25, 2021 at 11:59 PM Eastern
USDA: Rural Business Development Grants
This program is designed to provide technical assistance and training for small rural businesses. Small means that the business has fewer than 50 new workers and less than $1 million in gross revenue.
Application deadline: Varies by state
Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced a total of $14 billion in Federal funding allocations to continue to support the Nation’s public transportation systems during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) public health emergency. Funding is provided through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 (CRRSAA) (H.R. 133).
Additional Funding Resources
Applicant Toolkit for Competitive Funding Programs at USDOT
The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) has developed an Applicant Toolkit to provide guidance as part of the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (R.O.U.T.E.S.) This toolkit supports potential applicants in identifying and navigating USDOT discretionary grant funding opportunities for rural transportation projects. In support of the initiative’s goals, this toolkit provides user-friendly information and resources to support rural applicants’ understanding of USDOT discretionary grant programs and the funding process.
Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM) Federal Fund Braiding Guide
Federal fund braiding for local match allows grant recipients to use funds from one federal program to meet the match requirements of another. CCAM members examined 61 programs of the 130 federal programs that may provide funding for human service transportation for people with disabilities, older adults, and/or individuals of low income. Based on the input from each participating agency, this guide defines federal fund braiding for local match and program eligibility.
Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM) Program Inventory identifies 130 federal programs that may fund transportation services for people with disabilities, older adults, and/or individuals of low income. The Federal Transit Administration partnered with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to host the first CCAM Webinar Series highlighting some of the 66 HHS programs in the CCAM program inventory.
Shared Mobility FAQ’s: Eligibility Under FTA Grant Programs
In response to increasing interest from the transit industry in partnering with on-demand, shared mobility services such as ride-hailing companies, the FTA has identified FAQs about funding eligibility under federal public transportation law for FTA grant programs.
NADTC Blog Posts:
- Navigating Funding Opportunities for Technology Planning and Deployment
- An Embarrassment of Riches: Multiple Funding Sources and Technology Projects
- Section 5307, 5310, and 5311: Using Non-DOT Funds for Local Match
Recently Closed Opportunities
Public Transportation COVID-19 Research Demonstration Grant Program FY2020 Notice of Funding
FTA announces the availability of $10 million in grant funding through a new Public Transportation COVID-19 Research Demonstration Grant Program. Funding through this program supports research demonstration grants for public transit agencies to develop, deploy, and demonstrate innovative solutions that improve the operational efficiency of transit agencies, as well as enhance the mobility of transit users affected by the COVID-19 public health emergency. Eligible applicants include state and local governmental authorities, direct recipients of Urbanized Area (49 U.S.C. 5307) and Rural Area (49 U.S.C. 5311) formula funds, and Indian tribes.
Application deadline: November 2, 2020 at 11:59 PM Eastern
The U.S. Department of Transportation Inclusive Design Challenge (Challenge) seeks innovative design solutions that can enable people with physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities to use automated vehicles to access jobs, healthcare, and other critical destinations. Read the full Challenge Statement and submit your concept.
Application deadline: October 30, 2020 at 5:00 PM Eastern