There are two grant opportunities offered by the Federal Transit Administration and the FTA-funded technical assistance center, the National Aging and Disability Transportation Center to address equity through transportation programs.

FTA Areas Persistent Poverty Program 2021 Notice of Funding Opportunity

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the opportunity to apply for $16.3 million in competitive grants for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021. This program supports projects that will improve transit services or facilities in areas of persistent poverty through planning, engineering, technical studies, or financial plans for projects. Applicants are encouraged to work with non-profits or other entities of their choosing to develop an eligible project.

The Areas of Persistent Poverty Program is intended to:

• Support the Biden-Harris Administration’s goals of advancing racial equity and support for underserved communities and protecting public health and the environment.
• Support transportation planning to improve transit service in areas experiencing long-term economic distress.
• Improve transit access for environmental justice populations, provide equity-focused community outreach in underserved communities, and remove barriers to opportunity.
• Increase access to jobs and healthcare through enhanced transit options and improved facilities.

Eligible Applicants: Applicants for the Areas of Persistent Poverty program must be eligible recipients or sub-recipients under section 5307, 5310, or 5311 of title 49, U.S. Code. An application must clearly identify the eligible lead applicant and all project partners on the team.

• Eligible project partners and sub-recipients may include, but are not limited to:
• Public transportation systems
• Operators of transportation, such as employee shuttle services or airport connector services, or university transportation systems
• State or local government entities
• Other organizations that may contribute to the success of the project team including consultants, research consortia or nonprofit industry organizations, and institutions of higher education

For more details, click here.

NADTC 2021 Equity & Accessibility: Transportation Planning Grant Opportunity

The National Aging and Disability Transportation Center is pleased to announce a new funding opportunity entitled, Equity and Accessibility: Transportation Planning Grant Program. Planning grants provide an opportunity for communities to consider current and future needs, engage older adults and people with disabilities in planning, and develop a written plan of action.

Applicants are required to select one of two focus areas for their planning projects, as follows:

• Transportation Equity & Inclusion: Addressing the Transportation Needs and Preferences of Diverse Older Adults and People with Disabilities.
• COVID-19 Recovery: Addressing the Unique Transportation Needs and Preferences of Older Adults and People with Disabilities to Impact Social Isolation.
  Funding Amount

Grants of up to $20,000 each will be awarded to as many as 10 communities for five months. Contingent upon the availability of future funding and the achievement of specific milestones, awarded planning grantees will be given the opportunity to implement one or more priorities identified in their plans, to be funded at $50,000 each in FY 2022.

Eligible Applicants

Local and regional public transportation, aging or disability governmental or nonprofit organizations may apply. Recipients of the Federal Transit Administration’s Section 5310, Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities Program, are encouraged to apply.

For more details, click here.