Summary of Grants/Grant Programs

FTA has several major assistance programs for eligible activities. Funds are provided through legislative formulas or discretionary authority. Funding from these programs is provided on an 80/20 Federal/local funding match basis, unless otherwise specified.

METROPOLITAN PLANNING
This program provides funding to support the planning of transportation investment decisions in metropolitan areas.
Grants for Metropolitan Transportation Planning Activities

STATE PLANNING AND RESEARCH GRANTS
This program provides funding to States for statewide planning planning for non-urbanized areas, and other technical assistance activities.
Grants for Statewide Transportation Planning Activities

URBANIZED AREA FORMULA PROGRAM
This program makes Federal resources available to urbanized areas for transit capital and operating assistance in urbanized areas.
Grants for Cities Over 50,000 in Population (Urbanized Area Formula Program)

NONURBANIZED AREA FORMULA PROGRAM
This program provides formula funding to states for supporting public transportation in areas of less than 50,000 population.
Grants for Rural and Small Urban Areas

RURAL TRANSIT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
This program provides funding to assist in the design and implementation of training and technical assistance projects and other support services tailored to meet the needs of transit operators in nonurbanized areas.

ELDERLY AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
This program provides formula funding to States for assisting private nonprofit groups in meeting the transportation needs of the elderly and persons with disabilities.
Grants for Transportation for Elderly Persons and Persons with Disabilities

BUS AND BUS-RELATED PROGRAM
This program provides funding for buses, bus maintenance and administrative facilities, transfer facilities, park-and-ride stations, bus maintenance, passenger shelters and bus stop signs, and other bus-related purchases.
Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities

FIXED-GUIDEWAY MODERNIZATION
This program provides funds to modernize or improve existing rail or fixed guideway systems, including rehabilitation of rolling stock, track, structures, signals, etc.
Grants for Rail Modernization

MAJOR CAPITAL INVESTMENTS – NEW STARTS
This program provides funds for construction of new fixed guideway systems or extensions to existing fixed guideway systems.
Grants for Major Capital Investments in Transit (New Starts)

FLEXIBLE FUNDING
This is a funding mechanism, authorized under TEA-21, which allows some highway funds to be transferred to transit projects, and vice-versa.
Special Funding Program: Flexible Funds for Highway and Transit

JOB ACCESS AND REVERSE COMMUTE PROGRAM
This program provides funding to develop transportation services for welfare recipients and low income individuals to and from jobs, and to develop transportation services from urban centers to suburban employment opportunities.
Special Grant Program: Jobs Access Reverse Commute Program

NATIONAL RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM
This program provides funds to conduct national research and the development of advanced transit technology.
Grants for Research and Technology

OVER-THE-ROAD BUS ACCESSIBILITY
This program provides funding for private over-the-road bus operators to retrofit vehicles to meet the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Special Grant Program: Over the Road Bus Program