FTA-2026-004-TRI: FY26 Bus Safety, Accessibility, and Innovation Notice of Funding Opportunity
Closed
This grant is closed. Who won this program's grants before is below, and similar open grants are at the end of the page. It is in our archive of DOT - Federal Transit Administration notices from 2026.
DOT - Federal Transit Administration offered grants of up to $10.0 million to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses, businesses and individuals. It expected to make about 2 awards worth $10.0 million in total. Applications closed on September 28, 2026.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed July 30, 2026. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$10.0 million
- Total funding$10.0 million
- Expected awards2
- Cost sharingRequired
- Funding typeCooperative Agreement
Key dates
| Posted | July 29, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | September 28, 2026 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | October 28, 2026 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses, businesses and individuals.
All 11 applicant types the notice lists
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Individuals
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
To be eligible, applicants must have sufficient legal, financial, and technical capabilities to receive and administer Federal funds under this program. Teams must include a TVM in a prominent role.
Is this a realistic fit?
- Past Public Transportation Innovation awards averaged $1.2 million; this notice allows up to $10.0 million per award.
- Most of the program's money (37% over five years) went to nonprofits.
- The notice requires cost sharing or matching funds, so you must contribute part of the project cost.
What the grant funds
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the opportunity to apply for competitive awards totaling up to $10 million in Public Transportation Innovation Program (49 U.S.C. 5312) funds for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Bus Safety, Accessibility, and Innovation Research Program under Assistance Listing Number 20.530. As required by Federal public transportation law, funds will be awarded competitively to up to two projects to develop and prototype innovative and widely deployable concepts that are intended to make existing and new buses safer for their operators and vulnerable road users, and safer and more accessible for their passengers.
Who has won Public Transportation Innovation grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Public Transportation Innovation (20.530) awarded $140 million across 112 grant awards, an average of $1.2 million per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Academy of Sciences | District of Columbia | 5 | $32.2 million |
| Auburn University | Alabama | 1 | $11.8 million |
| The Ohio State University | Ohio | 1 | $11.8 million |
| Center for Transportation and the Environment, Inc. | Georgia | 2 | $10.4 million |
| Calstart, Inc. | California | 2 | $10.4 million |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Agencies often post the same opportunity again under a new number, so check the program's notices on Grants.gov and the similar open grants below.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is FTA-2026-004-TRI still open?
No. It closed on September 28, 2026.
Who can apply for FY26 Bus Safety, Accessibility, and Innovation Notice of Funding Opportunity?
DOT - Federal Transit Administration accepted applications from nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses, businesses and individuals. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for FY26 Bus Safety, Accessibility, and Innovation Notice of Funding Opportunity?
Closed September 28, 2026. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.
How much funding is available?
Awards of up to $10.0 million each. About $10.0 million in total across about 2 awards.
Who has won Public Transportation Innovation grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were National Academy of Sciences, Auburn University, The Ohio State University. The program made 112 awards worth $140 million in that time.
Similar open grants
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- Fiscal Year 2026 Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program
- FY27 Northeast Corridor Cooperative Agreement to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation
- FY27 National Network Cooperative Agreement to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation
- FY 2027 Crash Causal Factors Program
- FAA Aviation Research Grants Program