Funding
Upcoming funding cycle
2026 Regional Call for Projects
NRTA will make approximately $55 million in Surface Transportation Block Grant, Transportation Alternatives, and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality funds available for projects to be programmed in federal fiscal years 2029 and 2030.
September 23
Technical Advisory Committee reviews scoring criteria
October 12
Applications open; guidebook released
October 21
Applicant workshop (virtual)
December 4
Applications due by 5:00 p.m.
Public agency eligibility
- Applicants must be a member city or county, Ridge Transit, or a public agency with a member sponsor.
- Projects must be consistent with the adopted Regional Transportation Plan.
- Applicants must have an adopted Complete Streets policy or agree to follow the NRTA policy.
- A minimum 20 percent non-federal match is required. Match commitments must be documented by resolution.
- Federal-aid projects must be administered by an agency certified by the State Department of Transportation, or partner with one.
Scoring criteria will be considered by the Board of Directors on October 8, 2026.
Funding programs
Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG)
Opening soonFlexible federal funding for roadway, bridge, transit capital, safety, and bicycle and pedestrian projects on federal-aid eligible routes.
- Source
- Federal
- Administered by
- NRTA (suballocated funds for the urbanized area)
- Annual amount
- $18.4 million
- Match requirement
- 20 percent non-federal match
- Eligible applicants
- Cities and counties
- Ridge Transit
- State Department of Transportation (District 4)
- Eligible uses
- Roadway reconstruction and rehabilitation
- Bridge repair
- Transit capital
- Intersection and safety improvements
- Cycle
- Every two years through the Call for Projects
- Next deadline
- December 4, 2026
Transportation Alternatives Set-Aside (TA)
Opening soonFederal funding for trails, sidewalks, bikeways, Safe Routes to School infrastructure, and related projects.
- Source
- Federal
- Administered by
- NRTA
- Annual amount
- $3.1 million
- Match requirement
- 20 percent non-federal match
- Eligible applicants
- Cities and counties
- School districts
- Park districts
- Nonprofit organizations responsible for transportation safety programs
- Eligible uses
- Trails and shared-use paths
- Sidewalks and crossings
- Safe Routes to School infrastructure
- Bicycle facilities
- Cycle
- Every two years through the Call for Projects
- Next deadline
- December 4, 2026
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program (CMAQ)
Opening soonFederal funding for projects that reduce emissions and congestion, such as signal coordination, transit improvements, and travel demand management.
- Source
- Federal
- Administered by
- NRTA, in coordination with the State Department of Transportation
- Annual amount
- $6.2 million
- Match requirement
- 20 percent non-federal match
- Eligible applicants
- Cities and counties
- Ridge Transit
- Eligible uses
- Traffic signal optimization
- Transit service and capital
- Commuter programs
- Cycle
- Every two years through the Call for Projects
- Next deadline
- December 4, 2026
Regional Transportation Improvement Fund
Accepting applicationsRevenue from the one-half cent regional transportation sales tax approved by voters in 2016. The Fund is distributed according to the voter-approved expenditure plan and audited annually.
- Source
- Local
- Administered by
- NRTA
- Annual amount
- $64.8 million (FY2027 estimate)
- Match requirement
- Varies by program
- Eligible applicants
- Distributed by formula and through NRTA programs as set in the expenditure plan
- Eligible uses
- Regional capital projects (40 percent)
- Local street maintenance returned to cities and counties by formula (25 percent)
- Transit operations and capital (20 percent)
- Active transportation and safety (10 percent)
- Administration and oversight, capped at 5 percent
- Cycle
- Annual distribution; competitive programs follow their own cycles
Safe Routes to School Mini-Grants
Accepting applicationsSmall grants of up to $15,000 for school-based safety education, encouragement programs, and minor improvements.
- Source
- Local
- Administered by
- NRTA
- Annual amount
- $250,000
- Match requirement
- No match required
- Eligible applicants
- K–12 schools
- Parent-teacher organizations with a school partner
- Cities and counties
- Eligible uses
- Walking school bus programs
- Bicycle racks and safety equipment
- Signage and pavement markings near schools
- Cycle
- Annual
- Next deadline
- October 30, 2026
FTA Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (Section 5310)
Opening soonFederal Transit Administration funding for transportation services for older adults and people with disabilities.
- Source
- Federal
- Administered by
- NRTA, as designated recipient for the urbanized area
- Annual amount
- $1.9 million
- Match requirement
- 20 percent for capital; 50 percent for operating
- Eligible applicants
- Private nonprofit organizations
- Public agencies coordinating human service transportation
- Eligible uses
- Accessible vehicles
- Mobility management
- Operating assistance for eligible services
- Cycle
- Annual
- Next deadline
- February 12, 2027
State Multimodal Transportation Grant Program
Not currently acceptingCompetitive state grants for transit, rail, bicycle, and pedestrian capital projects.
- Source
- State
- Administered by
- State Department of Transportation (NRTA provides letters of regional consistency)
- Annual amount
- Statewide program
- Match requirement
- 30 percent local match
- Eligible applicants
- Local governments
- Transit agencies
- Regional agencies
- Eligible uses
- Transit facilities
- Multimodal connections
- Bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure
- Cycle
- Annual, administered by the State
FY2027 project funding allocations
Programmed amounts from the FY2027–2030 Transportation Improvement Program, as amended. Amounts are federal or regional shares only and exclude local match.
Route 17 Corridor Improvement, Phase 2
NRTA · STBG
$9,400,000
Route 17 Corridor Improvement, Phase 2
NRTA · HSIP
$3,800,000
North Ridge Mobility Hub, Final Design
NRTA · FTA 5339(b)
$2,600,000
Downtown Transit Signal Priority, Construction
NRTA · CMAQ
$5,900,000
Accessible Bus Stop Modernization, Phase 2
NRTA / Ridge Transit · FTA 5310
$1,700,000
Millbrook Creek Trail Extension, Design
City of Millbrook · TA
$640,000
County Road 12 Bridge Replacement over Mill Creek
Harlan County · STBG
$3,150,000
Main Street Signal Modernization
City of Cedar Falls · CMAQ
$880,000
Lakemont Station Area Pedestrian Safety
City of Lakemont · SS4A
$1,250,000
Replacement of 14 Paratransit Vehicles
Ridge Transit · FTA 5310
$1,120,000
County Road 40 Shoulder Widening and Rumble Strips
Stanton County · HSIP
$2,240,000
- Total shown: $32,680,000