FTA Opens Applications for $300M Ferry Grant Programs
Eligible applicants: *. Applications are due: September 6, 2022.
Opportunity: Passenger Ferry Grant Program, Low-No Ferry Grant Program, Rural Ferry Program (The three programs were announced together under a joint NOFO). All programs are administered by the Federal Transit Administration.
Overview and Eligible Uses:
The Passenger Ferry Program provides funding to improve the condition and quality of existing passenger ferry services, support the establishment of new passenger ferry services, and repair and modernize ferry boats, terminals, and related facilities and equipment.
The Low-No Ferry Program provides funding for the purchase of electric or low-emitting ferries, the electrification of or other reduction of emissions from existing ferries, and related charging or other fueling infrastructure to reduce emissions or produce zero onboard emissions under normal operation.
The Rural Ferry Program provides funding for capital, operating, and planning expenses for ferry service to rural areas.
Amount:
$36.5M - Passenger Ferry Program
$49M - Low-No Ferry Program
$209M - Rural Ferry Program
Type: Competitive grant
Eligible Applicants: Applicant eligibility is unfortunately a bit complicated. The NOFO lists the following:
“Eligible applicants for the Low-No Ferry Program are any eligible recipient of Section 5307 or Section 5311 funding. Eligible Section 5307 recipients are the same as for the Passenger Ferry Program: (1) designated recipients as defined in FTA Circular “Urbanized Area Formula Program: Program Guidance and Application Instructions” (FTA.C.9030.1E) and (2) direct recipients of FTA’s Urbanized Area Formula Grants, as well as public entities engaged in providing public transportation passenger ferry service in urban areas that are eligible to be direct recipients. Eligible Section 5311 recipients are States or Territories or Tribal governments.
Eligible applicants for the Rural Ferry Program are States and Territories in which eligible service is operated.”
More information can be found on the NOFO page as well as page 25 of the “Urbanized Area Formula Program: Program Guidance and Application Instructions” document. But, roughly speaking, eligible applicants seem to be a governmental authority, designated by the Governor or their designee, that has the legal authority to receive and dispense federal funds in the urbanized area.
Key Dates: Applications for all three programs are due on September 6, 2022.
Key Links:
Passenger Ferry NOFO (Grants.gov)
Low-No Ferry Program NOFO (Grants.gov)
Rural Ferry Program NOFO (Grants.gov)
For a full list of currently available grant programs under the Infrastructure Law and other helpful tools, take a look at our Helpful Resources page.
This tracker will continue to send updates when new funding opportunities are announced.