$27 Million Available for Rural and Tribal Transportation Projects

USDOT’s Build America Bureau has announced a Notice of Funding Opportunity for its Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program. No local funding match is required, and up to $10 million is allocated for tribal applicants.

Grants can be used to hire staff or consultants for conducting feasibility studies, preliminary engineering and design, environmental reviews, revenue forecasting, financial feasibility analyses, statutory and regulatory assessments, and the drafting and negotiation of agreements.

In a previous NOFO, the Bureau awarded $3.4 million in grants for 13 projects covering initiatives such as studies on transit service feasibility, bicycle and pedestrian trail connections, and roadway safety improvements.

Eligible applicants include:

• Local governments or political subdivisions in rural areas.
• Urbanized areas with populations under 150,000 (per the 2020 Census).
• State governments applying on behalf of a rural project.
• Federally recognized Indian tribes.
• The Department of Hawaiian Home Lands.

Applications will be accepted starting March 4 and are due by April 3. The Bureau will host a webinar Jan. 14 to discuss the application process and eligible activities. A recording will be posted to the Rural and Tribal Assistance Program site after.