Deadline: 28-Sep-2026
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced a competitive funding opportunity under the Public Transportation Innovation Program for Fiscal Year 2026. The programme provides funding for innovative projects that improve bus safety, passenger accessibility, and public transportation through the development and demonstration of widely deployable technologies and solutions.
Public Transportation Innovation Program FY 2026
The Public Transportation Innovation Program supports projects that develop and prototype innovative concepts to make public buses safer for operators, passengers, and vulnerable road users. The programme also promotes accessible public transportation by encouraging practical solutions that can be widely adopted across transit systems.
Programme Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Improve bus safety.
- Enhance passenger accessibility.
- Increase safety for bus operators.
- Protect vulnerable road users.
- Support innovation in public transportation.
- Develop scalable and widely deployable transportation technologies.
- Strengthen the safety and accessibility of existing and new buses.
Priority Areas
The programme supports projects focused on:
- Bus safety.
- Passenger accessibility.
- Public transportation innovation.
- Transit technology.
- Vehicle safety.
- Vulnerable road user protection.
- Accessible transportation.
- Prototype development.
- Transportation research and demonstration.
- Transit modernization.
Eligible Activities
Funding supports projects that:
- Develop innovative bus safety technologies.
- Prototype new transportation concepts.
- Improve passenger accessibility.
- Enhance operator safety.
- Increase safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users.
- Demonstrate scalable public transportation innovations.
- Develop solutions that can be widely deployed across transit systems.
Funding Available
The programme provides:
- Total estimated funding: USD 10 million
- Maximum award per project: USD 10 million
The Federal Transit Administration expects to fund up to two projects under this competition.
The opportunity is offered under Assistance Listing Number 20.530.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants include:
- Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education).
- Public institutions of higher education.
- Private institutions of higher education.
- Federally recognized Native American Tribal Governments.
- State governments.
- County governments.
- City or township governments.
- Small businesses.
- For-profit organizations (other than small businesses).
- Individuals.
Applicants must:
- Demonstrate sufficient legal, financial, and technical capacity to receive and manage federal funding.
- Include a TVM in a prominent role within the project team.
Evaluation Focus
Applications should demonstrate:
- Innovation and technical merit.
- Potential to improve public transportation safety.
- Benefits for passengers and vulnerable road users.
- Improved accessibility.
- Scalability and widespread deployment potential.
- Strong project management and implementation capacity.
Why This Programme Matters
Safe, accessible, and innovative public transportation improves mobility, protects passengers and operators, and supports sustainable urban development.
The programme helps:
- Advance transportation safety.
- Improve accessibility for all passengers.
- Reduce risks for vulnerable road users.
- Accelerate deployment of innovative transit technologies.
- Strengthen public transportation systems nationwide.
How to Apply
Eligible applicants should:
- Review the funding opportunity requirements.
- Confirm organizational eligibility.
- Develop an innovative project addressing bus safety or accessibility.
- Build a qualified project team that includes a TVM in a prominent role.
- Prepare a detailed technical proposal and project budget.
- Submit the completed application according to the programme guidelines.
Application Tips
- Clearly explain the innovation behind the proposed solution.
- Demonstrate measurable improvements in safety or accessibility.
- Show how the technology can be widely deployed.
- Highlight the qualifications of the project team.
- Present a realistic implementation schedule and budget.
- Demonstrate organizational capacity to manage federal funding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, higher education institutions, tribal governments, state and local governments, small businesses, eligible for-profit organizations, and individuals.
How much funding is available?
The programme provides an estimated USD 10 million, with individual awards of up to USD 10 million.
How many projects will be funded?
The Federal Transit Administration expects to fund up to two projects.
What types of projects are eligible?
Projects that develop and prototype innovative solutions to improve bus safety, passenger accessibility, and protection for vulnerable road users.
What is a key project team requirement?
Project teams must include a TVM in a prominent role.
What is the main objective of the programme?
The programme aims to develop innovative, practical, and widely deployable technologies that make public transportation safer and more accessible.
Conclusion
The Fiscal Year 2026 Public Transportation Innovation Program offers significant funding for organizations developing innovative solutions that improve bus safety, accessibility, and public transportation performance. By supporting scalable technologies and collaborative projects, the programme contributes to safer, more inclusive, and more efficient public transit systems across the United States.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.