Opportunity Information: Apply for FTA 2026 005 TPM FERRY
Apply for FTA 2026 005 TPM FERRY
- The DOT - Federal Transit Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2026 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Passenger Ferry Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.532.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-04-06.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-05-11. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 10 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Others.
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Opportunity Summary:
The FY 2026 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Passenger Ferry Grant Program is a discretionary, competitive grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA). For FY 2026, FTA is making $105 million available to support passenger ferry systems operating in urbanized areas. The program is intended to fund capital improvements that strengthen public transportation by water, with a focus on tangible assets and infrastructure that improve service, capacity, safety, state of good repair, and the overall reliability of ferry operations.
Funding under this opportunity can be used for any capital purpose that is eligible under 49 U.S.C. 5307(h). In practical terms, that means projects tied to building, replacing, rehabilitating, or modernizing passenger ferry assets. Examples highlighted in the notice include ferry vessels, passenger terminals, and related infrastructure. "Related infrastructure" typically covers the kinds of supporting facilities and equipment needed to keep a ferry system functional and accessible, such as docks and berthing areas, gangways and boarding equipment, mooring and fendering systems, passenger waiting areas, and other terminal-side improvements that directly support passenger operations in an urbanized setting.
Eligible applicants include recipients that are eligible for FTA Urbanized Area Formula funding under 49 U.S.C. 5307, as well as States and federally recognized Tribes that operate a public ferry system in an urbanized area. The opportunity lists applicant types broadly as state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments, along with other eligible entities that meet the 5307-related eligibility requirements. In short, the program is aimed at public-sector (or otherwise FTA-eligible) operators and sponsors of urban passenger ferry service, rather than private ferry companies applying on their own.
This is a competitive program, meaning awards are not automatic and proposals will be compared against one another for funding decisions. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity category is transportation. The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 20.532. FTA anticipates making around 10 awards, indicating that individual awards could be substantial depending on project scope, though the notice does not specify a fixed maximum award amount (the listed award ceiling is 0, which typically signals that a ceiling is not provided in the posting rather than that awards are zero).
Key administrative details included in the listing are the funding opportunity number (FTA 2026 005 TPM FERRY), an original application closing date of May 11, 2026, and a posting creation date of April 6, 2026. Applicants considering this program should plan around that deadline and prepare a proposal that clearly fits within the eligible capital categories for passenger ferry systems in urbanized areas, demonstrates strong project justification, and aligns with FTA's expectations for competitive discretionary grant submissions.
FY 2026 Passenger Ferry Grant Program (FTA) FAQs
1) What is the FY 2026 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Passenger Ferry Grant Program?
It is a discretionary, competitive grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA). For FY 2026, the program makes funding available to support passenger ferry systems operating in urbanized areas, with an emphasis on capital improvements that strengthen public transportation by water.
2) How much funding is available under this opportunity?
FTA is making $105 million available for FY 2026 to support eligible passenger ferry capital projects in urbanized areas.
3) Is this funding guaranteed if an applicant is eligible?
No. This is a competitive (discretionary) program. Eligible applications are evaluated and compared against one another, and awards are not automatic.
4) About how many awards does FTA expect to make?
FTA anticipates making around 10 awards under this FY 2026 opportunity.
5) What is the main purpose of the program?
The program is intended to fund capital improvements that strengthen public transportation by water. The focus is on tangible assets and infrastructure that improve service, capacity, safety, state of good repair, and the overall reliability of ferry operations.
6) What types of projects can this grant fund?
Funding can be used for any capital purpose eligible under 49 U.S.C. 5307(h). In practical terms, that includes projects tied to building, replacing, rehabilitating, or modernizing passenger ferry assets.
7) Are ferry vessels eligible for funding?
Yes. Ferry vessels are specifically highlighted as an eligible example of capital improvements under this opportunity.
8) Are passenger terminals eligible for funding?
Yes. Passenger terminals are specifically listed as an example of eligible capital projects.
9) What does "related infrastructure" mean in the context of this grant?
Related infrastructure generally refers to supporting facilities and equipment needed to keep an urban passenger ferry system functional and accessible. The notice describes examples such as docks and berthing areas, gangways and boarding equipment, mooring and fendering systems, passenger waiting areas, and other terminal-side improvements that directly support passenger operations.
10) Does this program support operating expenses?
The opportunity description emphasizes capital purposes eligible under 49 U.S.C. 5307(h) and highlights capital improvements (assets and infrastructure). Based on the information provided, the program is framed around capital projects rather than operating expenses.
11) What geographic or service-area focus does the program have?
The funding is intended to support passenger ferry systems operating in urbanized areas.
12) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include recipients that are eligible for FTA Urbanized Area Formula funding under 49 U.S.C. 5307, as well as States and federally recognized Tribes that operate a public ferry system in an urbanized area.
13) What types of government entities are listed as eligible applicant types?
The opportunity lists applicant types broadly as state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and federally recognized Native American tribal governments, along with other eligible entities that meet the 5307-related eligibility requirements.
14) Can a private ferry company apply directly?
The description indicates the program is aimed at public-sector (or otherwise FTA-eligible) operators and sponsors of urban passenger ferry service, rather than private ferry companies applying on their own.
15) What is the federal agency administering this opportunity?
The program is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
16) What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument is a grant.
17) What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is transportation.
18) What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 20.532.
19) What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is FTA 2026 005 TPM FERRY.
20) What is the application deadline?
The original application closing date listed is May 11, 2026.
21) When was this opportunity posting created?
The posting creation date is April 6, 2026.
22) Is there a maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The notice does not specify a fixed maximum award amount. The listing shows an award ceiling of 0, which typically indicates that a ceiling is not provided in the posting rather than that awards are zero.
23) What kinds of outcomes or benefits should proposed projects target?
Based on the stated program intent, proposed capital projects should be aimed at improving service, capacity, safety, state of good repair, and overall reliability of passenger ferry operations in an urbanized area.
24) What should applicants keep in mind when preparing a competitive application?
The listing suggests applicants should prepare a proposal that clearly fits within eligible capital categories for passenger ferry systems in urbanized areas, demonstrates strong project justification, and aligns with FTA expectations for competitive discretionary grant submissions.
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