FY 2026 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program | Apply Online

FY 2026 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program (FTA) - FAQs

1) What is the FY 2026 Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program?

It is a discretionary, competitive grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The program provides funding to support ferry services that benefit rural communities, including both near-term operating needs and longer-term capital investments such as vessels and terminals.

2) How much funding is available under this notice?

FTA is making approximately $454 million available in competitive funding under this FY 2026 notice.

3) What types of communities or services is this program intended to support?

The program is aimed at rural communities where ferry routes are a practical necessity for residents, commerce, and access to services. The stated purpose is to improve essential transportation links supported by ferry service.

4) Is this a competitive program or formula funding?

This is a competitive funding opportunity (a discretionary grant competition), meaning applications are evaluated and only a limited number of awards are expected.

5) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility for this specific opportunity is limited to state governments. States are the direct applicants and recipients identified in the notice.

6) Can local ferry operators apply directly?

The notice identifies state governments as the eligible applicant category. It also notes that, in practice, states often apply on behalf of, or in partnership with, local ferry operators and regional entities, but the state is the eligible applicant.

7) What is the agency and office administering the grants?

The opportunity is run by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

8) What is the award type and activity category?

The award instrument is a grant, and the activity category is transportation.

9) What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The program is associated with CFDA number 20.539.

10) What is the opportunity number for this solicitation?

The opportunity number is FTA 2026 006 TPM FERRYRURAL. This is the identifier commonly used for tracking the solicitation in federal systems and in application materials.

11) What is the application deadline?

The application deadline listed for this competition is May 11, 2026.

12) About how many awards does FTA expect to make?

FTA indicates it expects to make about five awards under this funding opportunity.

13) Is there a maximum award size (award ceiling)?

The notice lists an award ceiling of $0. This generally indicates that a maximum per-award amount is not specified in the summary field and that applicants should rely on the full solicitation details and program guidance for any constraints, prioritization factors, or practical funding ranges.

14) What is the posting or creation date for the opportunity record?

The opportunity record shows a creation date of April 6, 2026, which is when the listing was posted or formally created in the system.

15) What kinds of projects are eligible on the capital side?

Eligible capital uses include purchasing, constructing, replacing, or rehabilitating ferry vessels. Funding can also cover ferry terminals and related supporting infrastructure, along with associated equipment needed for safe and effective operations.

16) Are ferry terminal projects eligible?

Yes. The opportunity includes ferry terminals and related supporting infrastructure, as well as associated equipment needed for safe and effective operations.

17) Does this program support electric or low-emitting ferry vessels?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly includes projects involving electric or other low-emitting ferry vessels.

18) Can the grant fund charging or energy-related terminal improvements?

Yes, when those improvements are integral to operating electric or other low-emitting ferry vessels. The notice notes that supporting infrastructure can include charging or other energy-related terminal improvements when they are integral to operating those vessels.

19) Are planning projects eligible?

Yes. The program allows planning projects that can cover activities preparing a community or operator to develop, modernize, or expand ferry service.

20) Is operating assistance eligible under this opportunity?

Yes. Operating assistance is listed as an eligible use, which may be important for rural systems with high per-trip costs, seasonal variability, or limited local revenue capacity.

21) Does the program focus only on long-term infrastructure, or can it help with near-term needs too?

It is structured to fund both near-term operational needs (including eligible operating assistance) and longer-term investments (such as vessels, terminals, infrastructure, and equipment).

22) What is the overall purpose of the funding?

The overall purpose is to strengthen and modernize rural ferry transportation by supporting essential transportation links where ferries are a practical necessity, including replacing aging vessels, rehabilitating terminals, advancing lower-emission ferry technology, and covering certain operating costs (as eligible).

23) Is this opportunity specifically limited to ferry-related projects?

Yes. The eligible activities described are ferry-focused, including ferry vessels, ferry terminals, supporting infrastructure and equipment, ferry service planning activities, and eligible operating assistance within the ferry context.

24) What should applicants keep in mind about funding limits and constraints?

Because the summary field lists an award ceiling of $0 (indicating no maximum is specified there), applicants typically need to rely on the full solicitation and related program guidance for details about constraints, prioritization factors, and practical award sizing.