Grant Information

The TDOT Aeronautics Division administers federal and state funding to assist in the location, design, construction and maintenance of Tennessee's diverse public aviation system. This program is only eligible for a public use airport. For more information, please click here.

The TDOT Local Programs Development Office provides State funds to local governments for improvements to local roads and bridges. Since the inception of the original program in 1982, local governments, in partnership with the state, have replaced over 2,800 bridges utilizing Bridge Grant funds. For more information, please click here.

The TDOT Air Quality Planning Office allots dedicated federal funding to improve air quality and reduce congestion. Transportation projects and programs that reduce air emissions from mobile sources (e.g. cars, trucks, construction equipment) are funded to maintain federal air quality health standards. For more information, please click here.

The TDOT Local Programs Development Office utilizes federal funds to aid local communities in surface transportation. Expanding travel choices and enhancing infrastructure such as bike and pedestrian facilities, streetscape improvements and transportation related infrastructures, provides better access and quality of life. For more information, please click here.

The TDOT Highway Beautification Office receives designated tax revenue toward the pick-up and prevention of all litter. Approximately $5 million is raised annually and is distributed to all 95 counties in Tennessee for their use in this endeavor. For more information, please click here.

TDOT’s Local Programs Development Office oversees federal and state funding programs that are available to local governments to improve transportation systems. Local Programs grants include, but are not limited to, the Interchange Lighting Program, Surface Transportation Program, and Local Interstate Connector Program. For more information, please click here.

TDOT’s Office of Multimodal Planning conducts a new, state-funded program created to support the transportation needs of transit users, pedestrians and bicyclists through infrastructure projects that address existing gaps along state routes. Multimodal Access projects are state funded at 95 / 90 percent with a 5 / 10 percent local match. Total project costs must not exceed $1.25 million. For more information, please click here.

TDOT’s Office of Public Transportation and others oversee the provision of funds for multiple statewide public transit initiatives. Funding/Grant programs include:

• Metropolitan Planning (5303/5304): “The Office of Community Transportation (OCT) provides funds to Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and directly to some urban transit systems to support the costs of preparing plans consisting of long-range transportation, transportation Improvement, intermodal transportation and technical studies. For more information, please click here.”
• Transportation Planning: “The Office of Community Transportation (OCT) partners with local agencies to determine appropriate land-use and infrastructure (or transportation facilities) to guide the development of a safe and efficient statewide transportation system. For more information, please click here.”
• Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (5310): “provides transit capital assistance, through the state, to private non-profit organizations and public bodies that provide specialized transportation services to elderly and/or disabled persons. For more information, please click here.”
• IMPROVE Transit Investment Grant (IMPV): “The Improving Manufacturing, Public Roads, and Opportunities for a Vibrant Economy Act, is a competitive capital investment grant that strives to fund transit projects and improvements to current transit systems. Proposed projects will support transit ridership, provide congestions relief, stimulate local economies, and provide demonstrated benefits to safety. Public transit providers currently receiving FTA 5307 or 5311 program funds are eligible. For more information, please click here.”
• Bus and Bus Related Equipment and Facilities Grant (5339): “makes federal resources available to states and direct recipients to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment to construct bus-related facilities. Recipients include rural and small urban public agencies providing general public transportation that currently receive Section 5307 or 5311 program funds. For more information, please click here.”
• Urbanized Area Grants (5307): “provides funds to urbanized areas with populations of more than 50,000 for transit operating and capital assistance and for transportation-related planning. Funds are apportioned based on population, population density, and transit data. Transit data is only applicable for areas over 200,000 in population. For more information, please click here.”
• Capital Investment Grants: “provides discretionary capital assistance for the purchase of new equipment, acquisition of property, and the construction of public transit facilities. For more information, please click here”
• Non-Urbanized Area Grants (5311): “provides funds to each state for state administration, planning, and technical assistance and for transit capital, operating, and project administration assistance in areas with populations of less than 50,000. For more information, please click here.”
• Research Grants: “The Research Office allots funding available to each state for the purpose of technical studies and assistance, demonstrations, planning, management training, and cooperative research activities. For more information, please click here”
• Job Access and reverse Commute Grants: “provides grants for administrative, operating and capital assistance to local governments and non-profit organizations to develop transit services to connect welfare recipients and low-income persons to employment and support services. For more information, please click here.”
• State Operating Assistance Program (UROP): “assists local governments in meeting public transportation needs throughout the state. For more information, please click here.”
• Rural Transit Assistance Program (RTAP): “provides a wide variety of technical assistance, training materials, and publications to rural transit professionals. For more information, please click here.”
• Critical Trips Program (CRIT): “provides operating assistance to support demand response service in urban areas of Tennessee not served by the primary urban transit system operating in the urban core. Public transit providers currently receiving FTA 5307 or 5311 program funds are eligible. Designated recipients of FTA 5310 program funds for large urban areas are eligible IF the recipient does not receive funds from the TDOT Urban Operating Program. For more information, please click here”