Downstate Cooperative Transportation Grant Program
🏛 Illinois Department of Transportation
✓ Free, no account · Source: Illinois GATA Catalog (CSFA) · Last verified Sep 2, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for public transit agencies and educational institutions in Illinois that want to partner on student transportation. Applicants must be eligible public transit agencies with approval from their home state. Partners include schools, colleges, and vocational education providers. Eligible activities support cooperative transportation programs that do not compete with private school bus services. This includes vehicle acquisition, infrastructure, planning, and specialized transportation for students with disabilities.
Not the right fit? Find grants for your organization in 5 questions →
Program description
The Downstate Cooperative Transportation Grant program is a competitive grant.
The purpose of the program is to support partnerships between eligible public transit agencies and educational institutions to provide transportation access for students.
The program shall support eligible costs directly associated with approved cooperative transportation programs. Cooperative programs shall not operate exclusive school bus service in direct competition with private school bus operators (49 CFR Part 605).
Eligible activities may include transportation services provided through the cooperative program, specialized transportation for students with disabilities during off-peak service hours, vocational and career education transportation, transportation planning, scheduling and coordination activities, transportation equipment, infrastructure, or other capital needs necessary to implement the approved program The Downstate Cooperative Transportation Grant program is a competitive grant.
The purpose of the program is to support partnerships between eligible public transit agencies and educational institutions to provide transportation access for students.
The program shall support eligible costs directly associated with approved cooperative transportation programs. Cooperative programs shall not operate exclusive school bus service in direct competition with private school bus operators (49 CFR Part 605).
Eligible activities may include transportation services provided through the cooperative program, specialized transportation for students with disabilities during off-peak service hours, vocational and career education transportation, transportation planning, scheduling and coordination activities, transportation equipment, infrastructure, or other capital needs necessary to implement the approved program. n/a Beneficiaries: n/a Administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation via the Illinois GATA Catalog of State Financial Assistance (CSFA 494-80-4113).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Completed grant application form
- Partnership agreement or letter of commitment from educational institution
- Transportation service plan and coordination schedule
- Budget and budget narrative
- Proof of public transit agency eligibility
Program contact
- 👤 David J. Schafer
- 📧 david.schafer@illinois.gov
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Illinois state appropriations. How funding has trended year over year.
| 2027 | $15,000,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Public transit agencies and educational institutions in Illinois that partner together. Both organizations must meet state eligibility requirements.
What activities does this grant fund?
Transportation services, equipment, infrastructure, transportation planning, and specialized services for students with disabilities during off-peak hours.
Can we use funding for school bus service?
No. The program cannot operate exclusive school bus service in direct competition with private bus operators per federal regulation (49 CFR Part 605).
Is cost sharing required?
No. This grant does not require matching funds or cost sharing from applicants.
How competitive is this grant?
Very competitive. It is a competitive grant program with a $15 million funding pool available to Illinois applicants.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Partner with an educational institution early. Both public transit and schools must be committed before application.
- Review 49 CFR Part 605 to understand restrictions on school bus competition.
- Focus on off-peak and specialized transportation for students with disabilities as less contentious use cases.
- Document how your program fills transportation gaps that private operators do not serve.
- Plan transportation coordination and scheduling as part of your program design to show operational readiness.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications fail when partnerships lack genuine educational institution buy-in. Programs designed to directly compete with existing private school bus operators violate federal regulations. Vague plans for coordinating services signal poor implementation readiness.
Similar grants
- CLOSED Downstate Reduced Fare Grant Program — Illinois Department of Transportation
- OPEN Transit Downstate Transit Improvement Fund Program — Illinois Department of Transportation
- ROLLING Grants and Cooperative Agreements Program (GCA)- G25 — Department of Parks and Recreation (California)
- ROLLING MDT Occupant Protection and Teen Mini-Grants — Montana Department of Transportation
- CLOSED FY27 College and Career Transition Counselor Grant Application – Sixth Round — Iowa Education