# Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program (20.509)

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/programs/20-509-formula-grants-for-rural-areas-and-tribal-transit/  
Publisher: Well Told Grants. Data: USAspending.gov and Grants.gov, updated November 7, 2026.

Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program is run by Department of Transportation. From fiscal 2021 to 2025 it awarded $6.3 billion in 1,361 grants, about $4.6 million per award.

## Objectives

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.

## Funding by fiscal year

| Year | Amount | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $1.6 billion | 331 |
| 2022 | $1.1 billion | 288 |
| 2023 | $1.2 billion | 366 |
| 2024 | $1.2 billion | 284 |
| 2025 | $1.2 billion | 214 |

## Largest recipients

| Recipient | State | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Department of Transportation | Texas | $393 million |
| State of California Department of Transportation | California | $300 million |
| Washington St Department of Transportation | Washington | $275 million |
| North Carolina Department of Transportation | North Carolina | $257 million |
| Transportation, Michigan Department of Passenger Transportation Divsion | Michigan | $256 million |
| Pennsylvania Department of Transportation | Pennsylvania | $235 million |
| Tennessee Department of Transportation | Tennessee | $213 million |
| Ohio Department of Transportation | Ohio | $195 million |
| Colorado Department of Transportation | Colorado | $187 million |
| KY Transportation Cabinet | Kentucky | $181 million |
| Department of Transportation New York | New York | $160 million |
| Alabama Department of Transportation | Alabama | $158 million |
| Georgia Department of Transportation | Georgia | $157 million |
| State of Florida Department of Transportation | Florida | $152 million |
| Minnesota Department of Transportation | Minnesota | $151 million |
| Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation | Virginia | $133 million |
| Oklahoma Department of Transportation | Oklahoma | $126 million |
| Illinois Department of Transportation | Illinois | $124 million |
| Iowa Department of Transportation | Iowa | $123 million |
| Mississippi Department of Transportation | Mississippi | $114 million |