Opportunity Information: Apply for FTA 2021 003 TR
The FY 2021 Competitive Funding Opportunity for the Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program, also known as the Tribal Transit Program (Federal Assistance Listing 20.509), is a discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The opportunity makes a total of $10 million available through a competitive selection process to support public transportation needs on Indian reservations and in other tribal areas, with a focus on rural communities. The intent is to help federally recognized tribes improve mobility, expand access to essential services, and strengthen transportation options that connect people to jobs, education, healthcare, and other daily necessities in places where transit service can be limited or difficult to sustain.
Funding under this notice can be used for the same broad categories of activities that are eligible under FTA's Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program (49 U.S.C. 5311). In practical terms, that means tribes can seek support for planning activities (such as transit studies, service design, coordination planning, or preparation for launching or expanding service), capital projects (such as purchasing vehicles, building or improving bus stops, shelters, maintenance facilities, dispatch or communications systems, and other equipment), and operating assistance (the ongoing costs of running transit service, which can include driver wages, fuel, insurance, preventive maintenance, and related operating needs). The program is designed to be flexible so tribes can propose projects that match local conditions, whether the need is to start service where none exists, expand hours or coverage, replace aging vehicles, or improve reliability and safety.
Eligible applicants are federally recognized Native American tribal governments. The opportunity is identified by Funding Opportunity Number FTA 2021 003 TR, and it is categorized as a discretionary grant, meaning proposals are evaluated and selected competitively rather than distributed by a preset formula. The announcement was created on May 27, 2021, with an original application deadline of August 25, 2021. The notice anticipates making about 30 awards, although the listing indicates no specified award ceiling, which typically means award sizes can vary based on project scope, eligibility, available funds, and the outcome of the competitive review.
Overall, this funding opportunity is aimed at strengthening tribal transit in rural areas by supporting the full lifecycle of transit development, from early planning through purchasing equipment and sustaining day-to-day operations. By tying eligible uses to the well-established 5311 rural transit framework, the program gives tribal governments a clear menu of allowable transit investments while still leaving room for locally driven solutions that reflect the geography, travel patterns, and community priorities of each tribe.Apply for FTA 2021 003 TR
- The Department of Transportation, DOT/Federal Transit Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2021 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program; Tribal Transit Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.509.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 27, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 25, 2021. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized).
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FY 2021 Tribal Transit Program (Public Transportation on Indian Reservations) - FAQs
What is this funding opportunity?
This is the FY 2021 Competitive Funding Opportunity for the Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program, also called the Tribal Transit Program. It is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
What is the Federal Assistance Listing (FAL) number for this program?
The Federal Assistance Listing is 20.509.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FTA 2021 003 TR.
How much funding is available under this notice?
A total of $10 million is available through a competitive selection process.
Is this a formula grant or a competitive grant?
This is a discretionary (competitive) grant. Proposals are evaluated and selected competitively rather than distributed by a preset formula.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants are federally recognized Native American tribal governments.
What types of communities does this program focus on?
The opportunity focuses on supporting public transportation needs on Indian reservations and in other tribal areas, with an emphasis on rural communities.
What is the overall purpose of the Tribal Transit Program funding in this notice?
The intent is to help federally recognized tribes improve mobility, expand access to essential services, and strengthen transportation options that connect people to jobs, education, healthcare, and other daily necessities in areas where transit can be limited or difficult to sustain.
What kinds of projects can be funded?
Funding can support the same broad categories of activities eligible under FTA's Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program (49 U.S.C. 5311). This includes planning activities, capital projects, and operating assistance.
What are examples of eligible planning activities?
Examples include transit studies, service design, coordination planning, and preparation for launching or expanding transit service.
What are examples of eligible capital projects?
Examples include purchasing vehicles; building or improving bus stops and shelters; developing or improving maintenance facilities; and acquiring dispatch or communications systems and other transit-related equipment.
Can funds be used for operating costs?
Yes. The notice allows operating assistance to cover the ongoing costs of running transit service.
What are examples of eligible operating expenses?
Examples include driver wages, fuel, insurance, preventive maintenance, and related operating needs required to run transit service.
Does the program allow tribes to start new transit service?
Yes. The program is described as flexible and can support starting service where none exists.
Can the funding be used to expand existing transit service?
Yes. Tribes may propose projects to expand hours, expand coverage, improve reliability, or improve safety.
Can the funding be used to replace older transit vehicles?
Yes. Replacing aging vehicles is explicitly mentioned as an example of an eligible need the program can support.
How many awards does FTA expect to make?
The notice anticipates making about 30 awards.
Is there a maximum (ceiling) award amount?
The listing indicates there is no specified award ceiling. Award sizes can vary based on project scope, eligibility, available funds, and the outcome of the competitive review.
When was the announcement created?
The announcement was created on May 27, 2021.
What was the application deadline for this opportunity?
The original application deadline was August 25, 2021.
What legal/eligibility framework does the program reference for allowable activities?
Eligible uses are tied to the framework used for FTA's Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program under 49 U.S.C. 5311, which provides a clear menu of allowable transit investments.
How does this program support the full lifecycle of tribal transit development?
The notice describes support across the full lifecycle, including early planning, purchasing equipment and building/improving facilities (capital), and sustaining day-to-day operations (operating assistance).
What types of outcomes is this funding designed to support for tribal communities?
The funding is aimed at strengthening tribal transit by improving mobility and helping connect community members to jobs, education, healthcare, essential services, and other daily necessities.
Does the notice emphasize locally driven project design?
Yes. While eligible uses follow the 5311 rural transit framework, the program is described as leaving room for locally driven solutions that reflect each tribe's geography, travel patterns, and community priorities.
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