Discretionary Planning Grant Programs
Open Opportunities (1)
Live Grants.gov opportunities funded under this program — you can apply now.
- FY 2026 Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning Deadline: Jul 10, 2026
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Funded Projects
Examples of what this program has supported.
Program Objective
Discretionary Planning Grant Programs support planning activities and technical studies to improve public transportation systems, facilities, services, access, and ridership. Individual programs may have a different focus and range of planning activities; however, all aim to improve public transportation through better planning.
This Assistance Listing 20.541 created in August 2025 was included in the previous ALN 20.505, please refer to former ALN 20.505 for FY24 and FY25 financial obligations. The new Assistance Listing 20.541 will be utilized by DOT at the start of FY 2026.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- U.S. State Government
- State
- Local
- Local Government Consortium
Applicant eligibility varies by program. Please consult the program manager.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
An FTA grant award obligating Federal funds is reflected in a grant agreement. To access funds, the recipient must execute the grant agreement in FTA's Transit Award Management System (TrAMS). TrAMS grant applications are reviewed and approved by FTA regional offices.
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 15 to 30 days
Once a complete application is submitted in FTA's Transit Award Management System (TrAMS), the approximate time of award is 15 to 30 days.
Program details & compliance
Description
Discretionary Planning Grant Programs support planning activities and technical studies to improve public transportation systems, facilities, services, access, and ridership. Planning grants assist regional/system, corridor/route, and project/site-specific planning, including multimodal connectivity and land uses.
Mission Categories
Primary: Urban Mass Transit
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Areas of Persistent Poverty/Helping Obtain Prosperity for Everyone program funds must be used for planning, engineering, or development of technical or financing plans for projects eligible under Chapter 53 of Title 49 USC.
Route Planning Restoration Program funds under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 must be used for public transportation planning associated with the restoration of transit service reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning funds must be used for comprehensive or site-specific planning for an eligible project, such as a new fixed guideway or core-capacity corridor with defined stations.
Required Documentation
Credentials for applying for Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development Planning are available in the Notice of Funding Opportunity: https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2024-05-23/pdf/2024-11305.pdf
Matching Requirements
The base federal share is 80 percent. However, proposals that support planning activities in parts of an urbanized area or rural area with lower population density or lower average income are eligible to receive federal funding share of no less than 90 percent and applicants may request up to 100 percent.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles