Grants

This page provides an overview of Tribal Discretionary Grant Programs and the Office of Tribal Transportation programs and funding opportunities.

TRIBAL DISCRETIONARY GRANT PROGRAMS

Federal investment can be drawn from several sources. Congress appropriates funding to USDOT and authorizes transportation programs based on national priorities. USDOT and its operating administrations provide funding for these programs to invest in transportation infrastructure, safety, and innovation across the country. USDOT has competitive discretionary grant programs used to fund various types of tribal transportation projects and activities.

The Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (R.O.U.T.E.S.) Initiative supports potential applicants in identifying and navigating USDOT discretionary grant funding opportunities for rural transportation projects. The ROUTES Grant Funding Matrix has provided the following guidance for potential applicants on how to make informed decisions about each program.

• Review the list of programs applicable to that applicant type and project activity. To obtain more information on each program, either click on the program name to be taken to the relevant website or find the corresponding program in the “USDOT Mode and Resource Descriptions” section of this toolkit. This section contains additional information about each program, including specific criteria or language related to rural applicants or projects.
• Reach out to the USDOT program point of contact with questions about the application process or eligibility. Program points of contact should be available on the program websites linked in the matrix or the Grants.gov opportunity.
• Review program application requirements and proceed with the application process. Consider the “Maximizing Award Success” section of this toolkit for additional guidance related to compiling an application.
• Monitor updates on Grants.gov after submission and respond to any clarifying questions from the USDOT program point of contact.

PLANNING

(Includes project design, site assessments, environmental reviews and/or analysis)

• Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE): Office of the Secretary (OST)
• Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstrations: Federal Highway Administration
• Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund (TTPSF): Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
• High Priority Program Commercial Motor Vehicles (HP-CMV): Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FHWA)
• Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Grant Program: Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
• Low or No Emission Grant Program: Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
• Public Transportation on Indian Reservations (Tribal Transit): Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

CONSTRUCTION

(Includes asset and facility development, repair, replacement, rehabilitation, and/or expansion)

• Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE): Office of the Secretary (OST)
• Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA): Office of the Secretary (OST)
• Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstrations: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
• Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
• Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund (TTPSF): Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
• Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Grant Program: Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
• Low or No Emission Grant Program: Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
• Public Transportation on Indian Reservations (Tribal Transit): Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
• America’s Marine Highway Grants: Maritime Administration (MARAD)
• Port Infrastructure Development Program: Maritime Administration (MARAD)

EQUIPMENT AND MATERIALS

(Includes acquisition, purchase, and/or leasing of vehicles and machinery)

• Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE): Office of the Secretary (OST)
• Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstrations: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
• Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Grant Program: Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
• Low or No Emission Grant Program: Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
• Public Transportation on Indian Reservations (Tribal Transit): Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
• America’s Marine Highway Grants: Maritime Administration (MARAD)
• Port Infrastructure Development Program: Maritime Administration (MARAD)

TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATION AND DEPLOYMENT

(Includes installations and system integration)

• Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstrations: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING

(Includes skills development, public awareness campaigns, and information sharing)

• Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program: Build America Bureau
• Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE): Office of the Secretary (OST)
• Commercial Driver’s License Program Implementation (CDLPI) Financial Assistance Program: Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
• High Priority Program Commercial Motor Vehicles (HP-CMV): Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
• Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Grant Program: Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
• Low or No Emission Grant Program: Federal Transit Administration (FTA)
• Public Transportation on Indian Reservations (Tribal Transit): Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

OFFICE OF TRIBAL TRANSPORTATION

The Office of Tribal Transportation (OTT) administers the Tribal Transportation Program (TTP) and provides stewardship and oversight for direct funding agreements with 135 federally recognized Tribes. The OTT also provides support for all FHWA activities affecting tribal transportation. This support includes the administration of TIGER/BUILD grants awarded to Tribes, and the transfer of funds from States and other local governments to Tribes through the 202(a)(9) transfer process.

• Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Discretionary Grant Program

In addition, the FHWA Office of Tribal Transportation manages the Tribal Transportation Program Bridge Program and the Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund for all federally recognized Tribes. These grant programs are set asides from the overall Tribal Transportation Program.

For more information on OTT programs and funding opportunities: https://highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/programs-tribal

For more information on the FHWA’s Local Aid Support resources, visit: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/clas/ttap/grants_funding.aspx.