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Public Transportation on Indian Reservations (Tribal Transit) Program

General Grant Program Information

The Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program, also referred to as Tribal Transit Program (TTP), provides funds for planning, public transportation capital projects, and operating costs to tribes located in rural areas (those with a population under 50,000). TTP is funded as a takedown from the Section 5311 program, and is a set-aside from the Formula Grants for Rural Areas program that includes a formula program and a competitive grant program.

Opportunity Status:
Open
Posted Date:
05/27/2026
Close Date:
08/25/2026
Eligible Applicants:
Federally Recognized Tribes and Affiliated Groups
Eligible Activities:
Planning; Construction; Equipment and Materials; Operations and Maintenance
Transportation Type:
Transit
Estimated Total Program Funding:
$18,954,885
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement:
No
Match Waiver:
Yes
Tribal Set-Aside:
Yes
Grant Opportunity ID:
FTA-2026-002-TPM-TRTR
Grant Opportunity Link:
Grants.gov Opportunity: FY 2026 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Public Transportation on Indian Reservations (Tribal Transit) Program
Links to Additional Information:
Agency:
USDOT / Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

Eligibility Information

Eligible applicant types include: 

  • Federally recognized Indian tribes and Alaska Native Villages, groups, or communities as identified by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).
  • The list of federally Recognized tribes can be found on the Federal Register website.

To be eligible, applicants must have sufficient legal, financial, and technical capabilities to receive and administer Federal funds under this program.

Additionally, applicants must provide transit service in a rural area with a population of less than 50,000.

  • A service area can include some portions of urban areas (as identified in the 2020 census), so long as rural areas are also served.
  • For purposes of this funding opportunity, eligible service areas are rural areas as defined under the 2020 census.
  • For information and resources about rural areas defined under the 2020 census, including an interactive map, please see the Census webpage.

Eligible activities include planning, capital, and operating assistance for tribal transit services in rural areas. Public transportation includes regular, continuing shared-ride surface transportation services open to the general public or open to a segment of the general public defined by age, disability, or low income.

Specific types of projects include:

  • Capital investment for start-ups, replacement, or expansion needs;
  • Operating assistance; and
  • Planning projects up to $50,000.

Funding Information

The total funding available for awards under this NOFO is up to $18,954,885. As required by Federal public transportation law, funds will be awarded competitively for any purpose eligible under FTA’s Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program, including planning, capital, and operating assistance for tribal public transit services in rural areas.

There is no minimum or maximum grant award amount for operating and capital projects. Planning awards are capped at $50,000.

There is no local match requirement for operating, capital, or planning projects under this program. All projects are eligible to be awarded at 100 percent Federal share.

Contact Information

Janet Hernandez
Office of Program Management
TribalTransit@dot.gov 

Disclaimer:
The Dashboard provides users with a high-level overview of relevant Federal discretionary grant programs. The information in the Dashboard is maintained as a secondary resource and may not be updated with the most recent changes to each program's primary guidance materials. Accordingly, please refer to the Federal grant-making agency for the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on a grant opportunity in the Dashboard.