Funding Opportunities

Call for Projects: Other Funding Opportunities

Safe Routes to BART (SR2B) Cycle 3

Application deadline: December 14, 2023

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) announced the availability of approximately $16 million in competitive grant funds for the third and final cycle of Safe Routes to BART (SR2B). SR2B aims to help partner agencies implement active transportation capital projects off BART property to support BART’s Access Policy, expand station access choices, and make it safer and easier for all riders to use the system. Eligible projects must:

1. Be entirely located within Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Francisco Counties
2. Improve walking and/or biking accessibility to a BART station by delivering infrastructure improvements
3. Maintain or improve safe and comfortable access for BART riders, including those with disabilities
4. Have design review documents that have been completed to 35% or greater
5. Only use awarded grant funds for construction
6. Have a delivery timeframe of no more than three and a half years of the award date

Eligible applicants are public agencies within Alameda, Contra Costa, or San Francisco counties with authority over right-of-way to implement project elements. The minimum grant award is $500,000, and the maximum grant award is $3 million. The required local match is 30%.

Sustainable Transportation Planning Grants

Application deadline: January 18, 2024

Caltrans has announced the availability of approximately $65.9 million in competitive and formula grant funds for the FY 2024/25 Sustainable Transportation Planning Grants. These grants include Sustainable Communities Grants, Climate Adaptation Planning Grants, and Strategic Partnerships Grants.

Sustainable Communities Grants: ($17 million competitive, $12.5 million formula to MPOs) to encourage local and regional planning that supports state goals, implements Regional Transportation Plan Sustainable Communities Strategies, addresses the needs of underserved communities and ultimately achieves the State’s greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets. Eligible applicants include MPOs (with sub-applicants); RTPAs; transit agencies; cities and counties with compliant Housing Elements and completed Annual Progress Reports; Tribal Governments; and other public transportation planning entities. The minimum award amount is $100,000 (or $50,000 for Underserved Communities) and the maximum award amount is$700,000. Required local match is 11.47%.

Climate Adaptation Planning Grants: ($31.9 million) to support local and regional identification of transportation-related climate vulnerabilities through the development of climate adaptation plans, as well as project-level adaptation planning to identify adaptation projects and strategies for transportation infrastructure. Eligible primary applicants includeMPOs/RTPAs; transit agencies; cities and counties; Tribal Governments; a joint exercise of powers authority; and local transportation authorities. The minimum award amount is $100,000 and the maximum award amount is $1.5 million for a single organization or $1.5 - $3 million to be considered for partnership applications. Required local match is 11.47%.

Strategic Partnerships: ($1.5 million) to fund transportation planning studies in partnership with Caltrans that address statewide, interregional, or regional transportation deficiencies on the State highway system. Eligible primary applicants include MPOs and RTPAs. Eligible sub-applicants include MPOs/RTPAs; transit agencies; universities and community colleges; Tribal Governments; cities and counties; community-based organizations; non-profits; and other public entities. The minimum award amount is $100,000 and the maximum award amount is $500,000. Required local match is 20%.

Strategic Partnerships – Transit: ($3 million) to fund transit-focused planning studies that address multimodal transportation deficiencies. Eligible primary applicants include MPOs and RTPAs. Eligible sub-applicants include MPOs/RTPAs, transit agencies, universities and community colleges, Tribal Governments, cities and counties, community-based organizations, non-profits, and other public entities. The minimum award amount is $100,000 and the maximum award amount is $500,000. Required local match is 11.47%.

USDOT Advancing Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) Program

Application deadline: February 2, 2024

USDOT has released a NOFO for the FY23-FY24 Advancing Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) program – which represents $120 million in discretionary awards to eligible entities to deploy, install, and operate advanced transportation technologies to improve safety, mobility, efficiency, system performance, intermodal connectivity, and infrastructure return on investment. Eligible applicants are state or local governments, transit agencies, MPOs, other political subdivisions of a state or local government (such as publicly owned toll or port authorities), or a multijurisdictional group or consortia of research institutions or academic institutions.

Climate Resilience Regional Challenge

Application deadline: February 13, 2024

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced the availability of $575 million in competitive grant funds for the Climate Resilience Regional Challenge. The Challenge is funded by the Inflation Reduction Act. The Challenge will fund projects that build the resilience of coastal communities to extreme weather and other impacts of climate change, including sea level rise and drought, and support collaborative approaches with an emphasis on risk reduction, regional collaboration, equity, and building enduring capacity. Grants are available in two funding tracks:

• Track One: Regional Collaborative Building and Strategy Development: The goal of Track One is to collectively move more coastal communities closer to taking action, especially those that are marginalized, underserved, or underrepresented. Eligible projects include those that build and expand regional collaboratives; engage and partner with marginalized, underserved, and underrepresented communities; assess risk and vulnerability; plan resilience strategies and adaptation actions; and build community and workforce capacity for climate adaptation efforts. Up to $25 million is available from Track One. Between 20 and 25 applicants will be selected for grants ranging from $500,000 to $2 million.
• Track Two: Implementation of Resilience and Adaptation Actions: This track provides funding for applicants to implement coordinated adaptation efforts that support a holistic vision for resilience and build the capacity of the communities in a region to sustain efforts into the future, especially those communities that are marginalized, underserved, and underrepresented. Eligible project types include acquiring vulnerable land; building natural infrastructure; hybrid green (natural) and gray (structural) construction activities; strengthening or protecting public access to coastal natural resources; building the region’s capacity for ongoing actions that increase resilience; planning and preparing for community-led relocation; and updating state and local codes and policies. Up to $550 million is available from Track Two. Approximately 15 applicants will be selected for grants ranging from $15 million to $75 million.

Eligible applicants include Coastal states, territories, counties, cities, tribes, and tribal organizations; public or private nonprofit organizations; and institutions of higher education. No local match is required.

Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility (ICAM) Pilot Program

Application deadline: February 13, 2024

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the availability of $4.7 million in FY 2023 competitive grant funds for the Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility (ICAM) Pilot Program. An additional $4.8M is available in FY 2024 funds. ICAM aims to improve access to public transportation by building partnerships among health, transportation, and other service providers, and by improving the coordination of transportation services for older adults, people with disabilities, and people of low-income. Eligible projects include the following capital projects that test innovative coordinated mobility strategies: regional or statewide mobility management projects; deployment of coordination technology; and regional or statewide projects that create or increase access to one-call/one-click centers. Eligible applicants include state departments of transportation, designated recipients for Section 5310 funds, local governmental entities that operate a public transportation service, and, as subrecipients, private entities that provide shared-ride on-demand service to the general public on a regular basis. There is no award minimum or maximum. The required local match is 20%.

USDOT Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE)

Application deadline: February 28, 2024

USDOT has released a NOFO for FY24. RAISE grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, per statute, for planning or constructing surface transportation infrastructure projects that will improve safety; environmental sustainability; quality of life; mobility and community connectivity; economic competitiveness and opportunity including tourism; state of good repair; partnership and collaboration; and innovation. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58, November 15, 2021, “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” or “BIL”) provides $1.5 billion annually for FY 2022 – 2026. USDOT plans to conduct outreach regarding the FY 2024 RAISE NOFO in the form of webinars. The webinar schedule will be posted when available on the RAISE outreach webpage. For further information concerning this notice, please contact the RAISE grant program staff via e-mail at RAISEgrants@dot.gov or call Andrea Jacobson at 202-366-9603.

Bay Area Vanpool Program

Application period: Continuous

MTC’s recently established Bay Area Vanpool Program is offering direct subsidies to new and existing vanpools, thanks to an infusion of over $9.5 million approved by MTC in July of 2018 for the next five years. Qualifying vanpools that rent their vehicles through Enterprise (the preferred vendor for the Vanpool Program) are eligible for a $350/month subsidy. Vanpoolers can pay for their remaining vanpool costs with pretax dollars, further reducing the cost of their shared commute.

Learn how to join a vanpool, start a new one, or see if your existing vanpool qualifies for the subsidy.
Learn how vanpool groups can apply for subsidies.

Carl Moyer Program

Application Period: Continuous

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has up to $10 million available for the Carl Moyer Program. This program funds equipment or vehicle replacement, engine replacement, power system conversion, and battery charging or fueling infrastructure. It aims to reduce emissions in the communities most impacted by air pollution. Eligible equipment includes:

• Trucks and Buses
• Public School Buses
• Off-road Equipment
• Agricultural Equipment
• Marine Vessels and Equipment
• Locomotives

Funding is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Maximum funding amounts depend on the type of project. Projects required by law or contract are ineligible. Public or private entities that will operate the equipment within the Bay Area may apply. New project types and increased grant amounts are available for the purchase of hybrid, zero- and near-zero-emissions equipment, and for fueling and charging infrastructure as part of alternative-fuel or battery-electric project types.

Community Health Protection Grant Program

Application Period: Continuous

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District has up to $40 million available for the Community Health Protection Grant Program, which follows the same guidelines as the Carl Moyer program, with a few caveats, including those projects must be in eligible areas, such as “Eastern San Francisco”. Please see the information for the Carl Moyer Program above, as well as the Air District Community Health Protection Grant Program website for additional information.

Expedited Project Delivery Pilot Program

Application Period: Applications accepted on a rolling basis

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced $100 million available for the Expedited Project Delivery (EPD) Pilot Program. The program aims to streamline project delivery of new transit infrastructure and encourages innovative partnerships. State and local government authorities may apply. Eligible projects include fixed guideway capital projects, small start projects, or core capacity improvement projects that have not entered into a full funding grant agreement with FTA. Projects under this program must include public-private partnerships, be operated and maintained by employees of an existing public transportation provider, and have a federal share not exceeding 25 percent of the project cost. 

FTA intends to award up to eight grants under this announcement, subject to funding availability. Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis. Applicants will be notified whether their application was approved within 120 days of submittal.

Hybrid Voucher Incentive Program

Application Period: Continuous

The California Air Resources Board's (CARB) Hybrid Voucher Incentive Program (HVIP), provides vouchers to California purchasers and lessees of eligible zero-emission, hybrid and low NOx medium and heavy-duty trucks and buses. The program is meant to accelerate the adoption of clean vehicle technology. Voucher amounts range between $45,000 and $150,000, depending on the vehicle's weight. Increased voucher amounts are available for transit buses and vehicles that provide service in disadvantaged communities. Any purchaser of an eligible vehicle may apply for funding, with a limit of 200 vouchers per fleet. Vouchers are applied at the point of sale. A total of approximately $1.7 billion is available. The funding allocation is broken down into multiple categories:

• HVIP Standard: $265 million
• Zero-Emission Public Transit Buses: $70 million
• Zero-Emission Public School Buses: $135 million
• Zero-Emission Drayage Trucks: $157 million
• Innovative Small E-Fleets: $35 million
• Local Education Agency School Bus Replacement Grants: $1.125 billion, to be awarded in $225 million increments between FY 23/24 and FY 27/28.

Volkswagen Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust — Zero-Emission Class 8 Freight and Port Drayage Trucks Category

Application Period: Continuous

On August 18, 2020, the Volkswagen Settlement Environmental Mitigation Trust released the first solicitation for freight and port drayage truck projects. $27 million is available on a first-come, first-served basis to fund the replacement of Class 8 freight trucks (including drayage trucks), waste haulers, dump trucks, and concrete mixers with zero emission technologies. Both public and private entities that own and operate eligible vehicles may apply. The program will fund up to 100% of project cost for government owned equipment and up to 75% of cost for non-government owned equipment. Per piece of equipment, maximum funding is $200,000. 

The program is currently oversubscribed. Applications will continue to be accepted in order to generate a back-up list of applications. Projects placed on the back-up list will only be considered if returned or additional funds become available.

Volkswagen Mitigation Trust — Zero-Emission Transit, School, and Shuttle Bus Program

Application Period: Continuous

The Volkswagen (VW) Mitigation Trust was established as part of a settlement with Volkswagen for using illegal emission testing defeat devices in certain VW vehicles, resulting in excess NOx emissions. $130 million in first come, first served funding is available to replace high-polluting transit and shuttle buses with new battery-electric or fuel-cell buses.  There is no longer funding available for school buses.  Government and non-government vehicle owners as well as agencies that lease or rent applicable buses to third parties are eligible to apply.  The old bus to be replaced must have a fuel type of gasoline, diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG); an internal combustion engine; and an engine model year of 2009 or older.  The maximum funding per entity is capped at $3,250,000 and the maximum funding level for each vehicle varies based on the bus and fuel types, ranging from $160,000 to $400,000 per vehicle.  Matching funds are required for all non-government owned purchases (at least 25 percent).

Additional Resources

View Caltrans' 2021 Guide to Transportation Funding in California (PDF) for an overview of transportation funding sources and apportionments.

View Caltrans' Division of Local Assistance June 2022 Transportation Funding Opportunities Guidebook (PDF) for information about state and federal funds available for local public agency projects.

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has created a list of programs that may fund active transportation projects and elements, to serve as a resource for cities, counties and agencies looking to fund valuable active transportation projects in their communities.

Contact

For more information or assistance with Prop K or other federal, state, or regional funding opportunities, contact Anna LaForte, Deputy Director for Policy & Programming

Introduction

This is a resource page for sponsor agencies who currently or potentially may use federal funds to implement their transportation projects in San Francisco, focusing on Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funds.

Funding Opportunities

• SFCTA Funding Opportunities (see "Calls for Projects: Transportation Authority & Other Funding Opportunities" above)
• MTC Funding page
• Transportation Funding in California — Caltrans' overview

Project Delivery Policies and Status Update Reports

Federal funds come with strict timely-use-of-funds requirements, especially on the obligation and reimbursement, at various levels⁠—federal, state, and regional. It is critical for sponsors to adhere to the requirements to avoid risk of losing funds.

• Caltrans Delivery Policies and Reports
  • Caltrans Local Safety Program Delivery Status Reports (for Highway Safety Improvement Program)
  • Caltrans Inactive Project Information page
  • Caltrans E-76 Status page: search by project ID or agency name to find the status of E-76s that are pending or obligated within last month or E-76s that have been obligated for the current fiscal year
  • Caltrans Local Programs Accounting Tracking page contains payment history for payments issued within the past 18 months except major construction contractors.
• MTC Project Delivery / Program Monitoring
  • Resolution of Local Support template (doc)
  • Regional Project Delivery Policy Guidance (PDF)(MTC Resolution 3606)
  • Transportation Improvement Program Funding Report page (also see under TIP below)
  • Annual Obligation Status section lists downloadable links for the "FHWA Obligated Funds — Federal Fiscal Year to Date" list and the "FHWA Projects Submitted by District 4 to Caltrans HQ — Federal Fiscal Year to Date" list — up to FY 2017/18 (for the current fiscal year, visit Caltrans E-76 Status page).
  • Federal Aid Single Point of Contact Workshop (MTC Presentation and Caltrans Presentation)  (including presentations on project monitoring and delivery, fund programming, TIP, CMA overview, Caltrans overview (Local Assistance, Environmental, and Right of Way)
  • Federal Aid Single Point of Contact Checklist
• SFCTA's Portal page for sponsors to submit quarterly reports for SFCTA-funded projects

Caltrans Programs and Procedures References

Caltrans, with its delegated authority from FHWA, develops procedures for and conducts review of a majority of FHWA-funded projects. Also see Caltrans District 4 page and the Training Resources section (below) for materials from past training.

• Local Assistance Program Guidelines (LAPG) provides a description of federal and state programs, including:
  • Introduction/Overview: Ch 1 Introduction/Overview (PDF); Ch 2 Financing the Federal-Aid Highway Program (PDF); Ch 3 Federal-Aid Routes & Functional Classifications
  • Most commonly used funding programs: Ch 4 Surface Transportation Program (STP); Ch 5 Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ); Ch 9 Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)
• Local Assistance Procedures Manual (LAPM) describes procedures and documents required to use federal and state funds. This link gives a compilation of "packages" required by phase.
  • Introduction/Overview: Ch 1 Introduction/Overview; Ch 2 Roles/Responsibilities
  • Authorization/Agreement/Invoicing: Ch 3 Project Authorization; Ch 4 Agreements; Ch 5 Invoicing
  • Environmental: Ch 6 Environmental Procedures
  • Preliminary Engineering: Ch 7 Field Review; Ch 8 Public Hearings; Ch 9 Civil Rights and DBEs; Ch 10 Consultant Selection; Ch 11 Design Standards; Ch 12 PS&E
  • ROW/Utility Coordination: Ch 13 ROW; Ch 14 Utility Relocations
  • Construction: Ch 15 Advertise and Award; Ch 16 Administer Contracts
  • Completion (and after): Ch 17 Project Completion; Ch 18 Maintenance; Ch 19 Oversight and Process Reviews; Ch 20 Audits and Corrective Actions
  • LAPM forms in word documents
• Updates
  • Division of Local Assistance Office Bulletins (DLA-OBs) disseminate the most recent policy and procedural changes, including LAPG and LAPM chapters and forms.
  • Local Programs Procedures (LPPs) formalize LAPG and LAPM changes that have been initiated through DLA-OBs.  DLA-OBs expire upon issuance of LPPs.
  • Caltrans Oversight Information Notices (COIN) are single-topic bulletins intended to provide information and guidance to local agencies on a wide range of issues pertaining to the Federal-aid projects.
  • Local Assistance Blog (or "LAB") for federal-aid program updates 

Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)

Transportation projects that receive federal funds, are subject to a federally required action, or have a regionally significant air quality impact must be included in the TIP. 

2023 TIP update 

Non-exempt project [update to reflect Plan Bay Area 2050]

• MTC memo (PDF) on non-exempt projects 
• Plan Bay Area 2050 Project List with RTP ID (PDF)

Primer & latest schedule

• 2023 TIP — Overview
• MTC memo (PDF) on 2023 TIP Primer (02-18-22) 

General

• MTC TIP page, including MTC Guide to TIP and TIP revision schedule and status (2023 TIP)
• MTC Fund Management System (FMS, online database for TIP)
  • TIP Overview and How to Use FMS (powerpoint)
• FMS Funding Report page, which generates reports showing obligation status by funding program by county
• Air Quality (AQ) PM 2.5 ("fine particulate matter") Conformity Requirement: MTC, with the help of project sponsors, must conduct a project-level hot spot analysis for "projects of air quality concern."
  • MTC memo (PDF) on quantitative analysis requirement (12-12-11)
  • MTC instruction (PDF) to submit AQ PM 2.5 info (03-08-12, as part of the 2013 TIP Update)

Other Federal and State Agency Resources

• FHWA MAP-21 page, including Fact Sheets
• California Transportation Commission (CTC): meeting schedule and agenda, CTC-administered programs 
• Caltrans Division of Transportation Planning and Local Assistance
• California Safe Routes to School Active Transportation Resource Center, including a resource page for Caltrans SRTS Non-Infrastructure Projects 

Training Resources

• Caltrans District 4 Training (District 4-specific training), which includes materials from past training
  • Caltrans Risk-based invoicing presentation (11-18-14)
  • Contract administration of federal-aid projects by local agencies (06-10-14): presentation (PDF), list of helpful handouts (PDF), FHWA 1273 form (PDF)
• Caltrans Highway Bridge Program (HBP) training
• Caltrans Local Assistance Training for Local Agencies (general training info) 
• California Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP; Caltrans in partnership with Sacramento State's College of Continuing Education)
• SF Public Work's Overview of the Federal Aid Process for Transportation Projects (powerpoint)
• FHWA's Every Day Counts Exchange webinars on project development and delivery practices and tools for local agencies 
• UC Berkeley TechTransfer (click on "Click here to register for a class!")

FAQ

• Twelve Procedural Errors (doc) from TechTransfer training

Contact

Nick Smith, Senior Transportation Planner