Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program
Department Of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration
The Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program provides capital, planning, and operating assistance to states to support public transportation in rural areas with populations less than 50,000. The Tribal Transit Formula and Competitive Programs provide funding to federally recognized tribes for capital, operating, planning, and administrative expenses in rural tribal communities.
Jargon-free version
Helps rural communities and tribes pay for public transportation services and infrastructure. Provides funding for planning, operating, and capital expenses.
Quick Facts
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What Is This Program?
What Benefits Are Offered?
Annual formula grants and discretionary funding, along with technical assistance, to support and expand public transportation systems, especially those in rural areas and serving tribal communities. FTA invests over $20 billion annually across its programs, including $5.1 billion for Buses and Bus Facilities and $5.6 billion for Low or No Emission Bus Grants through 2026. This funding helps improve mobility, reduce environmental impact, and enhance transit safety and efficiency.
Who Is Eligible?
Industries: public transportation
Region: US nationwide, rural areas, tribal lands
Demographics: tribal entities
Other Criteria: public transit agencies, state, local, and tribal governments, established in TrAMS to receive funding, recipients of federal assistance under 49 U.S.C. chapter 53, submit annual certifications and assurances, aim to maximize safe, secure, and efficient mobility, aim to minimize environmental impacts, aim to minimize transportation-related fuel consumption and reliance on foreign oil
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📋What Are the Application Steps & Timeline?
- 📝Steps to Apply
- Visit the Grants.gov website to find funding opportunities.
- Create an account on Grants.gov if you do not have one.
- Complete the application form in the Transit Award Management System (TrAMS).
- Submit the application through TrAMS.
- 🌐Application Portal
- http://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/applying/applying-fta-funding
- 📤Submission Method
- online
- 🔄Intake Type
- fixed-deadline
📄What Documents Are Required?
- ✅Required Documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- SF-424A (Budget Information - Non-Construction)
- SF-424B (Assurances)
- Project Narrative
- Budget Narrative
- indirect cost rate agreement
- IRB approval letter
- environmental review
- 📐Format Requirements
- PDF only, max 10MB
- ✉️Supporting Letters
- Letters of support/reference may be required but not explicitly stated.
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💰What Expenses Are Eligible?
- 🧾Eligible Expenses
- purchase of modern American-made transit buses
- upgrade fueling and maintenance infrastructure
- 💳Payment Model
- mixed
🤝Is Matching Funding Required?
- 🔀Matching Required
- Yes
- 📊Matching Ratio
- 25% minimum
- 🏦Eligible Matching Sources
- cash
- in-kind
- 📚Stacking Rules
- Cumulative government assistance is allowed
- 🛡️Proof of Matching Required
- Documentation of matching funds required
📊What Are the Reporting Requirements?
- 🗓️Reporting Frequency
- annual
- 📑Reporting Requirements
- SF-425 Federal Financial Report
- performance progress report
- 🔍Audit Requirements
- OMB Uniform Guidance Single Audit if the recipient expends $750,000 or more in federal awards
- 📢Branding Requirements
- Acknowledgment of federal funding is required
- 🗄️Record Retention Period
- 3 years post-final-report
How Do I Apply?
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FAQFrequently Asked Questions
Visit the program page for detailed eligibility requirements.
This program offers funding up to $9,717,000 (minimum $9,717,000).
This program accepts applications on a rolling basis.
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