The following are grant programs in which Community Spec has experience writing successfully.
Click on each one to see if this program fits your needs, or contact one of our Community Spec professionals with any grant-related questions through our Contact page.
Programs in which Community Spec specializes
U.S. Department of Transportation
• 5311(f) Grant Program
• 5311(c) Grant Program
• Over-the-Road Bus Accessibility Grant Program
Department of Homeland Security
• Intercity Bus Security Grant Program
• Port Security Grant Program
• Transit Security Grant Program
• Trucking Security Grant Program
Environmental Protection Agency
• National Clean Diesel Campaign
• National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program
• National Clean Diesel Emerging Technologies Program
• SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program
• State Clean Diesel Grant Program
U.S. Department of Transportation
This state-specific program provides funds on a competitive basis for transit projects that develop and support intercity bus transportation in rural areas.
Who may apply for the 5311(f) Grant Program?
• operators of public transportation services and nonprofit organizations seeking to expand transportation in rural areas of less than 50,000 populations as designated by the Census Bureau
• private intercity motorcoach companies may apply, but first they must contract through a nonprofit agency—Community Transportation, Inc. is this vehicle
For what can 5311(f) funds be used?
• capital assistance, such as accessible buses, communication equipment, vehicle rehabilitation, wheelchair lifts, and computer hardware and software for operational support
• operating assistance, such as fuel, licenses and driver’s salaries and fringe benefits
• administrative assistance, such as marketing expenses, insurance premiums, office supplies, salaries of project directors, and standard overhead rates
How are the 5311(f) funds distributed?
• the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) apportions funds to governors of each state annually
• governors designate a state agency which will have the principal authority and responsibility for administering the Section 5311 program
• the regional apportionment is allocated to regions or counties based on the population of the rural area.
• funds remain available to the states for obligation for three federal fiscal years, beginning with the year of apportionment plus two additional years
• any funds remaining at the end of the period of availability are added to the next year’s program apportionment and are reapportioned among all states
• payment is processed based on satisfactory completion of eligible activities
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5311(c) Grant Program
This Tribal Transit program provides funding to eligible Native American Tribes through funds appropriated for the Section 5311 program.
Who may apply for the 5311(c) Grant Program?
• federally-recognized Native American Tribes, however, Tribes not federally recognized remain eligible to apply to the state as sub-recipients for funding under a state’s apportionment
For what can 5311(c) funds be used?
• operations and planning, in addition to capital assistance
• funds under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) can only be used for capital projects
How are the 5311(c) funds distributed?
• based upon an annual national competitive selection process conducted by the FTA
• the FTA awards Tribal Transit grants annually and directly to eligible Indian Tribes
How many times can a company apply for a 5311(c) grant?
• Native American Tribes and Communities can apply every round
The Over-the-Road Bus Accessibility program provides funding that may be used by private operators of over-the-road buses to finance costs of meeting the accessibility specifications required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Who may apply for the Over-the-Road Accessibility Grant?
• private operators of over-the-road buses—an over-the-road bus (OTRB) is “a bus
characterized by an elevated passenger deck located over a baggage compartment”
accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act)
• operators of intercity (more than one area) fixed-route services fit into one category of this grant
• other operators, such as commuter, charter, and tour bus services fit into the second category
• operators, who offer both intercity, fixed-route services and other services can apply to both categories with one application
For what can the Over-the-Road Accessibility funds be used?
• to finance the incremental and training costs of complying with the Department of Transportation’s rule regarding accessibility of over-the-road buses required by the Americans with Disabilities Act
• incremental capital costs eligible for funding include adding lifts, tie-downs, movable seats, doors, and training costs associated with using the accessibility features and serving persons with disabilities
• eligible training costs include training in proper operation and maintenance of equipment, boarding assistance, and handling and storage of mobility devices, and sensitivity training
• retrofitting currently owned vehicles with such accessibility components is an eligible expense
How are the Over-the-Road Accessibility funds distributed?
• apportioned directly to transit systems annually
• the FTA conducts a national solicitation for applications and announces project selections each federal fiscal year (October 1 to September 30)
• Federal transit funds are available at up to 90 percent of the project cost
How many times can a company apply for a OTRBA grant?
• companies can apply for the OTRBA program every round
Department of Homeland Security
This program provides funding for fixed-route, intercity bus systems (that connect multiple cities) and charter bus services.
Who may apply for the IBSG Grant Program?
• private operators providing fixed-route or charter transportation by an over-the-road bus servicing an Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) jurisdiction
• charter companies—bus services that are characterized by the rental of a bus and the services of a driver to a person or group where all passengers embark and disembark at the same point—must make a minimum of 50 trips annually to one or more UASI jurisdictions
For what can the IBSG funds be used?
• increased security measures such as enhanced planning, facility security upgrades, and vehicle and driver protection in order to create a sustainable program for the protection of intercity bus systems and the traveling public from terrorism, especially explosives and non-conventional threats that would cause major loss of life and severe disruption
How are the IBSG funds distributed?
• companies with 250 or more over-the-road buses in operation and providing the highest volume of services to high-risk urban areas will be placed in Tier I
• all other applicants that meet the minimum eligibility requirements will be placed in Tier II
• the maximum federal share of any project supported through IBSGP is 75 percent
• the average grant award for the intercity bus security grant is around $150-160,000
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Port Security Grant Program (PSGP)
This program provides grant funding to port areas for the protection of critical port infrastructure from terrorism.
Who may apply for the PSGP Grant Program?
• seven port areas have been selected as Group I (highest risk), forty-seven port areas have been selected as Group II and thirty-six port areas have been selected as Group III
• each Group I, Group II and Group III port area will compete for funding identified in their corresponding group
• ports not identified in Group I, II or III are eligible to apply as an “All Other Port Areas” applicant
• eligible ferry systems may also apply for funding
For what can the PSGP funds be used?
• to assist ports in enhancing maritime domain awareness and risk management capabilities, as well as increase training and exercises for worker credentials
How are the PSGP funds distributed?
• funds are given directly to selected port areas
Transit Security Grant Program (TSGP)
This program provides provides grant funding to the nation’s key high-threat urban areas to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism, major disasters, and other emergencies.
Who may apply for the TSGP Grant Program?
• owners and operators of transit systems (which include intracity bus, rail, and ferry systems)
• certain ferry systems are eligible to participate, however, any ferry system electing to participate and receive funds under the TSGP grant cannot participate in the Port Security Grant Program (PSGP)
For what can the TSGP funds be used?
• to improve the security of public transit to include bus, passenger rail, and ferry systems
• security training for front line employees, the completion of vulnerability assessments, the
• development of security plans within the freight rail industry, and GPS tracking systems for railroad cars transporting toxic inhalation materials
How are the TSGP funds distributed?
• Tier I consists of the eight highest risk transit regions
• Tier II consists of other large urban areas
• Tier II grants are awarded on a competitive basis
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Trucking Security Program (TSP)
This program provides funds to focus on infrastructure protection activities, which are designed to strengthen the nation’s critical infrastructure against risks associated with terrorism.
Who may apply for the TSP Grant Program?
• associations representing motor carriers, buses, school transportation, commercial drivers,
• law enforcement; consortia familiar with the Truck Security Program and participants; not-for-profit and for-profit entities which meet security and communication conditions
• applicants must have a current security plan under Title 49 CFR 172.800 Transport Tier I
Commodities as defined by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) through the issuance of Highway Security-Sensitive Materials (HSSM) Security Action Items
For what can the TSP funds be used?
• the purchase and installation or enhancement of equipment and systems related to tractor and trailer tracking systems
How are the TSP funds distributed?
• this program has no statutory formula and no matching requirements
• the TSA encourages grant recipients to consider cost-sharing
Environmental Protection Agency
National Clean Diesel Campaign
This program strives to promote diesel emission reduction strategies and is divided into national and state programs.
Who may apply for National Clean Diesel Campaign funds?
• states, local governments, tribes, not–for–profits and authorities
National Program (70 percent funding)
This program contains the majority of the funding dedicated to deployment of EPA-verified and certified technologies.
Who may apply for National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program?
• U.S. regional, state, local or tribal agencies/consortia or port authorities with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality
• nonprofit organizations or institutions that represent or provide pollution reduction or
• educational services to people or organizations that own or operate diesel fleets; or that have, as their principal purpose, the promotion of transportation or air quality
• At least 50 percent funding is allocated toward public fleets but will include private fleets contracted for public purposes
For what may National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program funds be used?
• reducing emissions from existing diesel engines through a variety of strategies, including but not limited to: add-on emission control retrofit technologies; idle reduction technologies;
• cleaner fuel use; engine re-powers; engine upgrades; and/or vehicle or equipment replacement; and the creation of innovative finance programs to fund diesel emissions reduction projects
How are National Clean Diesel Funding Assistance Program funds distributed?
• funding is restricted to the use of EPA and California Air Resources Board (CARB) verified and certified diesel emission reduction technologies
This program fosters the deployment of innovative technologies through a national grant competition.
Who may apply for National Clean Diesel Emerging Technologies Program?
• U.S. regional, state, local or tribal agencies/consortia or port authorities with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality
• nonprofit organizations or institutions that represent or provide pollution reduction or educational services to people or organizations that own or operate diesel fleets; or that have, as their principal purpose, the promotion of transportation or air quality
• a manufacturer of an emerging technology must partner with an eligible entity able to receive the grant funding—to qualify as an emerging technology, a manufacturer must have an EPA approved application and test plan for verification
For what may National Clean Diesel Emerging Technologies Program funds be used?
• only technologies on the Emerging Technology List can be used on a project funded through the Emerging Technologies Program
• funding may be used to monitor and evaluate performance of the emerging technology
• examples include idle reduction technologies, cleaner fuels, shore connection systems, and thermal storage systems
How are National Clean Diesel Emerging Technologies Program funds distributed?
• An eligible entity may apply for Emerging Technology funding during an open competition
This program allows the EPA to issue competitive grants to establish national low-cost revolving loans or other financing programs that will provide funding to fleets to reduce diesel emissions.
Who may apply for SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program?
• U.S. regional, state, local or tribal agencies/consortia or port authorities with jurisdiction over transportation or air quality
• nonprofit organizations or institutions that represent or provide pollution reduction or educational services to people or organizations that own or operate diesel fleets; or that have, as their principal purpose, the promotion of transportation or air quality
For what may SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program funds be used?
• cooperative agreements are used to establish innovative financing, but the financing must lower costs to the buyer by providing lower interest rates, longer repayment terms, greater likelihood of loan approval, or some other financial incentive where the loan recipient receives a specific financial incentive for the eligible vehicle or equipment
• finance proposals may include, but are not limited to, the following: issuance of loan guarantees, issuance of tax exempt or taxable bonds to create a low-cost loan program, and revolving loan funds
• applicants may propose innovative financing programs for the purchase or retrofit of the following types of vehicles and equipment: buses, medium or heavy duty trucks, marine engines, locomotives, and non-road engines or vehicles used in construction, handling of cargo, agriculture, mining, and energy production
How are SmartWay Clean Diesel Finance Program funds distributed?
• these competitive grants are given directly to fleets
State Program (30 percent funding)
This program provides funds directly available to states interested in establishing new diesel emission reduction programs.
Who may apply for the State Clean Diesel Grant Program?
• assistance under this program is available to the 50 States
For what are State Clean Diesel Grant Program funds used?
• to develop and implement such grant and low-cost revolving loan programs in the state as are appropriate to meet state needs and goals relating to the reduction of diesel emissions
How are State Clean Diesel Grant Program funds distributed?
• this program is not a competition, but an allocation process in which the states and the District of Columbia submit their interest in participating to the EPA
• the EPA allocates funding to the states through a formula outlined in the Energy Policy Act of 2005
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