Other 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.

Other resources that may be of interest:

• Shared Mobility FAQ’s: Eligibility Under 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
• How to Improve Your Transit Grant Application, A blog by Ecolane

Current Opportunities

FTA Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the opportunity to apply for approximately $454.6 million in fiscal year (FY) 2020 under the Buses and Bus Facilities Program. The  funds will be awarded competitively to assist in the financing of capital projects to replace, rehabilitate, purchase or lease buses and related equipment, and to rehabilitate, purchase, construct or lease bus-related facilities. Eligible applicants include designated recipients that allocate funds to fixed route bus operators, states or local governmental entities that operate fixed route bus service, and Indian tribes.

Application deadline: April 29, 2020 at 11:59 PM Eastern

Accelerating Innovative Mobility (AIM) Challenge Grants

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of $11 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 research funds for AIM Challenge Grants. The funds will support projects that can accelerate the development, implementation and adoption of innovative technologies, practices, and service models to improve mobility and enhance the rider experience.

Application deadline: May 18, 2020 at 11:59 PM Eastern

Helping Obtain Prosperity for Everyone Program

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of $8.5 million in Fiscal Year 2020 competitive grant funding under the Helping Obtain Prosperity for Everyone (HOPE) program. The HOPE Program supports projects that will improve transit services or facilities in areas of persistent poverty through planning, engineering, or development of technical, or financing plans for projects. It will also support coordinated human service transportation planning to improve transit service or provide new services such as rides to opioid abuse recovery and treatment.

Application deadline: June 3, 2020 at 11:59 PM Eastern

USDA-RD Rural Business Development Grants

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making the grants available under the Rural Business Development Grants program for intermediaries seeking to provide rural communities with training and technical assistance to improve transportation services and facilities. USDA does not provide funding directly to individuals under this program. National organizations focused on serving rural communities are eligible to apply. Applications will be scored reviewed and selected on a competitive basis.

Application deadline: May 14, 2020 at 4:30 PM local time

CCAM Program Inventory

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.

Recently Closed Opportunities

Redesign of Transit Bus Operator Compartment to Improve Safety, Operational Efficiency, and Passenger Accessibility (Bus Operator Compartment) Program

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of $2 million in Public Transportation Innovation funds to research and develop new transit bus operator compartment designs as well as better protect operators from assault and improve their view of the road while still allowing them to interact with passengers, including people with disabilities and those in need of special assistance.

Application deadline: March 24, 2020 at 11:59 PM Eastern

Mobility for All Pilot Program Grants

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of approximately $3.5 million in Fiscal Year 2020 funds under the Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility (Mobility for All) pilot program. The funding opportunity seeks to improve mobility options through innovative coordination of transportation strategies and building partnerships to enhance mobility and access to vital community services for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and people of low income. Eligible applicants are designated or direct recipients of 5307, 5310, or 5311 FTA program funds.