Fiscal Year 2026 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Low or No Emission Program
🏛 DOT - Federal Transit Administration
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 27, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for transit agencies and governments seeking to purchase, lease, or build electric and zero-emission buses and facilities. Eligible applicants include designated transit recipients, state governments, local authorities, and Indian Tribes. Projects in rural areas must be submitted by a state (except tribal projects). All applicants must provide cost-sharing support for their project.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
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Program description
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the availability of approximately $589 million in competitive grants under the Low or No Emission Grant Program (Low-No Program) for the purchase or lease of low-emission and zero-emission transit buses, including acquisition, construction, and leasing of required supporting facilities. Synopses and full announcement will be posted on Grants.gov as opportunity FTA-2026-011-TPM-LWNO. Proposals must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov website by 11:59 PM Eastern Time September 21, 2026.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance)
- Project Narrative (describing bus acquisitions, facilities, timeline, and operations)
- Budget and Budget Narrative (detailed cost breakdown including cost-share)
- Organizational capacity documentation
- Letters of commitment from cost-sharing partners
- Grants.gov application form for this specific opportunity
Program contact
- 👤 Johnita S Glover Transportation Program Analyst
- 📧 FTALowNoBusNOFO@dot.gov
- 📞 202-366-9833
Funding track record
No recent recipient data available for CFDA 20.526 in our database.
This can happen for newer programs, programs that use non-standard award types (loans, direct payments, fellowships), or those funded through sub-agencies under different codes.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 20.526). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,542,298,000 | |
| 2025 | $217,492,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $945,622,000 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Designated transit recipients, states, local governments, Indian Tribes, and tribal organizations can apply. Rural projects need state sponsorship unless submitted by tribes.
What can the grant fund?
Purchase or lease of low-emission and zero-emission buses. Funding also covers construction and leasing of supporting facilities like charging infrastructure and maintenance facilities.
Is cost-sharing required?
Yes, applicants must provide matching funds. The specific match percentage is not specified in the announcement.
When is the deadline?
September 21, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov.
How competitive is this funding?
With $589 million available, competition is moderate to strong. Strong applications emphasize fleet modernization goals and operational readiness for zero-emission operations.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Secure your cost-sharing commitment early. Confirm matching funds from local budgets or partnerships before drafting your proposal.
- Prioritize operational readiness in your narrative. Demonstrate your agency has maintenance capacity and staff training plans for new buses.
- Detail your charging or fueling infrastructure plans. Reviewers need clear, realistic timelines for facility construction or upgrades.
- Connect to regional climate or air-quality goals. Show alignment with state clean transportation plans.
- Start your Grants.gov registration and SAM.gov profile immediately. Federal processes require time; don't delay eligibility verification.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Underestimating total project costs. Include all expenses: buses, facilities, equipment, contingencies, and indirect costs in your budget. Vague operational plans for new buses. Provide specific details on driver training, maintenance procedures, and scheduling integration. Unclear cost-sharing documentation. Submit clear written commitments from your funding partners and specify exact dollar amounts and timing.
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