Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program

Susan Wilson
202.366.0765
RuralandTribalTA@dot.gov

The Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program will provide grants to support transportation project development in rural and tribal communities that may lead to future applications to U.S. Department of Transportation credit and grant programs.

Funding may be used to hire or contract with advisors to assist with pre-development activities in the areas of financial, technical, and legal services, including but not limited to:

• Feasibility studies
• Project planning
• Environmental review and permitting
• Preliminary engineering and design
• Revenue forecasting
• Statutory and regulatory framework analysis
• Economic assessments and cost-benefit analyses
• Funding application assistance
• Drafting and negotiation of concession agreements
• Procurement support

There are 2 types of grants.

1. Type 1: Single project
   Funds the planning and design phase activities of a single project
2. Type 2: Multi-community project
   Funds the planning and design phase activities of projects within 3 separate communities, at a minimum, submitted under a single application

Eligible applicants include:

• Units of local government or political subdivisions that are located outside of an urbanized area with a population of more than 150,000 residents as determined by the Bureau of the Census
• States, territories, and possessions seeking to advance a project in an area located outside of an urbanized area with a population of more than 150,000 residents as determined by the Bureau of the Census
• Federally recognized Tribes
• Department of Hawaiian Home Lands

Grant Type #1: Single Project

• Award ceiling:$750,000
• Award floor: $200,000
• Estimated number of awards: 13-50
• Project period: 36 months
• Estimated total program funding: $10,000,000

Grant Type #2: Multi-Community

• Award ceiling:$2,250,000
• Award floor: $500,000
• Estimated number of awards: 7-34
• Project period: 36 months
• Estimated total program funding: $17,000,000

Links to additional guidance, application instructions, and sample applications by grant type are available on the program website and grants.gov (related documents tab).

Applications will be accepted from March 4 - April 3, 2025.

Applicant webinar
(Registration required)
January 14, 2025
3:00 p.m. Eastern