Opportunity Information: Apply for FTA 2026 009 TPM RAIL
The FY 2026 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Competitive Grants for Rail Vehicle Replacement Program is a discretionary grant program run by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Through this competition, FTA plans to make roughly $166 million available in grant funding to support rail vehicle replacement needs. The program is positioned as a targeted investment to help transit agencies and public authorities replace aging rail rolling stock, aligning with the broader goal of maintaining reliable service and improving the overall condition of the national transit rail fleet.
This opportunity is identified under Funding Opportunity Number FTA 2026 009 TPM RAIL and is associated with CFDA (Assistance Listing) 20.525. The funding instrument is a grant, and the activity area is transportation. Because it is a competitive (discretionary) opportunity rather than a formula distribution, eligible entities must submit an application and will be evaluated against FTA's selection criteria, with awards made to the strongest proposals rather than allocated automatically by statutory formula.
Eligibility is limited to applicants that operate in an urbanized area and are eligible to receive State of Good Repair Formula Funding under 49 U.S.C. Section 5337. In practical terms, that means the applicants generally include states and local governmental authorities (such as public transit agencies or other public entities) that manage and maintain rail transit systems that qualify under the Section 5337 State of Good Repair program. The eligible applicant types listed for this notice include state governments and other eligible entities, consistent with the requirement that applicants be Section 5337-eligible and located in an urbanized area.
FTA anticipates making approximately three awards under this funding opportunity, indicating a relatively small number of selections and, therefore, a highly competitive process. The notice lists an award ceiling of $0, which typically signals that no single maximum award amount is specified in the synopsis and that the actual grant sizes may vary based on project scope, demonstrated need, and FTA's funding strategy for the competition.
The application deadline (original closing date) for this opportunity is July 6, 2026. The opportunity record shows a creation date of May 27, 2026, which marks when the opportunity information was initially posted or published in the system. Applicants should plan around the July deadline, leaving time for internal approvals, required documentation, and any registrations or compliance steps needed to submit a complete application.
Overall, this is a time-limited, competitive FTA grant opportunity intended to fund rail vehicle replacement projects for qualified public-sector applicants in urbanized areas that participate in the Section 5337 State of Good Repair program, with about $166 million available and an expected three grants awarded.Apply for FTA 2026 009 TPM RAIL
- The DOT - Federal Transit Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2026 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Competitive Grants for Rail Vehicle Replacement Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.525.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-27.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-07-06. (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 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the FY 2026 Competitive Grants for Rail Vehicle Replacement Program?
It is a discretionary (competitive) grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to support rail vehicle replacement needs. The program is described as a targeted investment intended to help replace aging rail rolling stock, maintain reliable service, and improve the overall condition of the national transit rail fleet.
Who runs this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is run by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA).
Is this funding competitive or allocated by formula?
This is a competitive (discretionary) opportunity. Eligible entities must submit an application and will be evaluated against FTA selection criteria. Awards are made to the strongest proposals rather than distributed automatically through a statutory formula.
How much funding is expected to be available?
FTA plans to make roughly $166 million available through this competitive funding opportunity.
About how many awards does FTA expect to make?
FTA anticipates making approximately three awards, which suggests the program will be highly competitive.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FTA 2026 009 TPM RAIL.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA (Assistance Listing) 20.525.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the activity area for this opportunity?
The activity area is transportation.
What kinds of projects is this funding intended to support?
Based on the program title and description, the funding is intended to support rail vehicle replacement needs, specifically helping transit agencies and public authorities replace aging rail rolling stock.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is limited to applicants that operate in an urbanized area and are eligible to receive State of Good Repair Formula Funding under 49 U.S.C. Section 5337.
What does it mean to be "Section 5337-eligible" in this notice?
In practical terms (as described in the opportunity summary), applicants generally include states and local governmental authorities, such as public transit agencies or other public entities, that manage and maintain rail transit systems qualifying under the Section 5337 State of Good Repair program.
Does the notice specify eligible applicant types?
Yes. The listed eligible applicant types include state governments and other eligible entities, consistent with the requirement that applicants be Section 5337-eligible and located in an urbanized area.
Are private companies eligible to apply directly under this opportunity?
The provided information describes eligible applicants as public-sector entities (for example, states and local governmental authorities) that are Section 5337-eligible and operate in an urbanized area. No other applicant categories are identified in the provided summary.
Is there a maximum (ceiling) award amount?
The notice lists an award ceiling of $0, which typically indicates that no single maximum award amount is specified in the synopsis. Actual grant sizes may vary based on project scope, demonstrated need, and FTA's funding strategy for the competition.
What is the application deadline?
The original closing date (application deadline) for this opportunity is July 6, 2026.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity record shows a creation date of May 27, 2026, which reflects when the opportunity information was initially posted or published in the system.
How should applicants plan around the deadline?
Applicants should plan around the July 6, 2026 deadline and leave adequate time for internal approvals, required documentation, and any registrations or compliance steps needed to submit a complete application.
What is the overall purpose of this funding opportunity?
The purpose is to fund rail vehicle replacement projects for qualified public-sector applicants in urbanized areas that participate in the Section 5337 State of Good Repair program, supporting reliable service and improved fleet condition.
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