Federal Transit Administration: Key Grant Programs
Agency Description
The Federal Transit Administration supports programs and activities that plan, build, and operate transit systems.
FTA makes public transit on buses, trains, and even ferryboats safer through program implementation and oversight, policy development, hazard investigation, data collection, risk analysis, and information sharing through resources such as the National Transit Database (NTD).
FTA invests in supporting existing public transit services and expanding services into rural areas, providing financial, technical, and planning assistance that helps local and regional transportation systems create safe and technologically advanced transit.
Competitive Grant Programs
Below are brief descriptions of FTA grant programs.
For more information on these opportunities, follow the links in each description, which lead to individual grant program pages in the Grant Applicant Toolkit’s DOT Competitive Grants Dashboard, where you can search federal grant opportunities at USDOT and other federal agencies that can aid communities in meeting their transportation infrastructure needs.
All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP)
The All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP) provides funds for projects to make inaccessible legacy rail stations meet or exceed the construction standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Learn more about this grant opportunity on the DOT Competitive Grants Dashboard’s All Stations Accessibility Program page.
Areas of Persistent Poverty Program
The Areas of Persistent Poverty (AoPP) Program supports planning, engineering, technical studies, or financial planning in project development to better serve areas of persistent poverty.
Learn more about this grant opportunity on the DOT Competitive Grants Dashboard’s Areas of Persistent Poverty Program page.
Capital Investment Grants
The Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program supports fixed guideway investments, including new or expanded rapid, commuter, and light rail, streetcars, bus rapid transit or corridor-based busing, and ferries.
Learn more about this grant opportunity on the DOT Competitive Grants Dashboard’s Capital Investment Grants page.
Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program
The Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot (or “Low-No Ferry”) program provides funds to existing Section 5307 and Section 5311 recipients for the purchase of electric or low-emitting ferry vessels which use alternative fuels or on-board energy storage systems and related charging infrastructure.
Learn more about this grant opportunity on the DOT Competitive Grants Dashboard’s Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program page.
Ferry Service for Rural Communities
The Ferry Service for Rural Communities (or “Rural Ferry”) program provides funding for capital, operating, and planning expenses for basic ferry service to eligible rural areas.
Learn more about this grant opportunity on the DOT Competitive Grants Dashboard’s Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program page.
Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program
The Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Grant Program funds capital projects which replace, rehabilitate, or modify bus facilities, as well as the purchase of buses, vans, and related equipment.
Learn more about this grant opportunity on the DOT Competitive Grants Dashboard’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Grant Program page.
Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility (ICAM) Grants
The Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility (ICAM) grant program funds innovative capital projects that improve the coordination of non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) services and mobility management purchases.
Learn more about this grant opportunity on the DOT Competitive Grants Dashboard’s Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Grants page.
Low- or No-Emission Grant Program
The Low- or No-Emission Grant Program supports the purchasing or leasing of low- or no-emission buses, their power source(s), and related equipment, as well as the construction, leasing, or rehabilitation of new or existing public transportation facilities for low- or no-emission buses.
Learn more about this grant opportunity on the DOT Competitive Grants Dashboard’s Low- or No-Emission Grant Program page.
Mobility, Access, & Transportation Insecurity: Creating Links to Opportunity Demonstration Research Program
The Mobility, Access, & Transportation Insecurity: Creating Links to Opportunity Demonstration Research Program funds the planning, deployment, and impact evaluation of strategies which mitigate transportation insecurity among communities.
Learn more about this grant opportunity on the DOT Competitive Grants Dashboard’s Mobility, Access, & Transportation Insecurity page.
Passenger Ferry Grant Program
The Passenger Ferry Grant Program (49 U.S.C. 5307[h]) provides competitive funding for projects that support passenger ferry systems in urbanized areas and those urban areas that also have service to rural areas.
Learn more about this grant opportunity on the DOT Competitive Grants Dashboard’s Passenger Ferry Grant Program page.
Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning
The Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning funds the integration of land use and transportation planning, economic development, accessibility, and multimodal connectivity, and mixed-use development in new capital projects.
Learn more about this grant opportunity on the DOT Competitive Grants Dashboard’s Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning page.
Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program
The Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program provides funds to existing Section 5307 and Section 5311 recipients for disaster response and projects that protect, repair or replace equipment and facilities that may suffer or have suffered serious damage as a result of an emergency, including natural disasters.
Learn more about this grant opportunity on the DOT Competitive Grants Dashboard’s Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program page.
Public Transportation on Indian Reservations (Tribal Transit) Program
The Tribal Transit Program (TTP) funds capital investment, operating expenses, and public transportation planning projects that enhance safety, reduce greenhouse gas emissions from public transportation, improve equity, and connect communities.
Learn more about this grant opportunity on the DOT Competitive Grants Dashboard’s Tribal Transit Program page.
Rail Vehicle Replacement Program
Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the Rail Vehicle Replacement Program provides funding for competitive rail vehicle replacement, specifically to replace rail rolling stock that is past its useful life.
Learn more about this grant opportunity on the DOT Competitive Grants Dashboard’s Rail Vehicle Replacement Program page.