Opportunity Information: Apply for FTA 2023 004 TRI
The FY 2023 Transit Standards Development Program (Funding Opportunity Number FTA 2023 004 TRI) is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) focused on improving public transportation through the development of voluntary transit standards. The program is structured as a cooperative agreement, which generally means the FTA expects to be actively involved with the recipient during the project rather than simply providing funds and stepping back. The funding is provided under CFDA 20.531 and falls within the transportation funding activity category.
FTA made up to $3,000,000 available, with the expectation of making one award to a single project. The central purpose is to support work that creates voluntary standards as well as standards-related deliverables such as best practices, guidance documents, and practical tools that transit agencies and the broader industry can use. While safety is highlighted as a key emphasis, the opportunity also supports standards work in other public transportation areas that contribute to stronger performance and more consistent outcomes across the industry. The overarching aim is to identify where standards are needed, develop those standards, and help move them into real-world use so that transit service becomes safer, more efficient, and more effective.
A defining feature of the program is its expectation of direct engagement with industry stakeholders. In practice, that implies the funded project should not be developed in isolation; it should involve collaboration with transit agencies, labor and workforce partners, manufacturers, researchers, professional associations, and other relevant participants to ensure the resulting standards and guidance are credible, usable, and aligned with current operating realities. The emphasis on implementation alongside development signals that FTA is looking for outcomes that can be adopted and applied, not just conceptual or academic work.
Eligibility is broad and includes state, county, and city or township governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and other entities as described in the opportunity's additional eligibility information. This wide eligibility pool suggests FTA is open to applications from organizations with demonstrated capability in standards development, convening stakeholders, translating technical work into implementable guidance, and supporting adoption across the transit sector.
Key administrative details include a creation date of November 22, 2022, and an original application closing date of January 23, 2023. The award ceiling is $3,000,000, and the opportunity anticipated a single award, underscoring a competitive, flagship-style project intended to produce nationally relevant standards and supporting materials for public transportation.Apply for FTA 2023 004 TRI
- The Department of Transportation, DOT/Federal Transit Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2023 Transit Standards Development Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.531.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 22, 2022.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jan 23, 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $3,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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FAQs: FY 2023 Transit Standards Development Program (FTA 2023 004 TRI)
What is the FY 2023 Transit Standards Development Program?
The FY 2023 Transit Standards Development Program is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA). It supports projects that improve public transportation by developing voluntary transit standards and related deliverables that can be used across the industry.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this program?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FTA 2023 004 TRI.
What type of award is this opportunity?
This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement. That generally means FTA expects to be actively involved with the recipient during the project, rather than only providing funds and stepping back.
How much funding is available?
FTA made up to $3,000,000 available under this opportunity.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $3,000,000.
How many awards does FTA expect to make?
FTA expected to make one award to a single project, indicating a single, flagship-style award.
What is the main purpose of the program?
The central purpose is to identify where voluntary transit standards are needed, develop those standards, and support real-world use so that transit service becomes safer, more efficient, and more effective.
What kinds of deliverables are supported?
The opportunity supports the creation of voluntary standards and standards-related deliverables such as best practices, guidance documents, and practical tools that transit agencies and the broader industry can use.
Is safety a focus of this funding opportunity?
Yes. Safety is highlighted as a key emphasis area for standards development under this program.
Is the program limited to safety-related standards only?
No. While safety is emphasized, the opportunity also supports standards work in other public transportation areas that contribute to stronger performance and more consistent outcomes across the industry.
What does FTA mean by "voluntary" transit standards?
Based on the opportunity description, the standards developed under this program are intended to be voluntary and usable by transit agencies and the broader industry, along with related guidance and tools to support adoption and implementation.
Does the program prioritize implementation, or just standards development?
The opportunity emphasizes implementation alongside development. FTA is looking for outcomes that can be adopted and applied in real-world transit settings, not only conceptual or academic work.
What level of industry engagement is expected?
Direct engagement with industry stakeholders is a defining feature of the program. The funded project is expected to involve collaboration so the resulting standards and guidance are credible, usable, and aligned with current operating realities.
Which stakeholders are mentioned as relevant collaborators?
The opportunity references collaboration with transit agencies, labor and workforce partners, manufacturers, researchers, professional associations, and other relevant participants.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes state, county, and city or township governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and other entities as described in the opportunity's additional eligibility information.
Are institutions of higher education eligible?
Yes. Both public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education are listed as eligible applicants.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. Nonprofit organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status are eligible, excluding institutions of higher education.
Are for-profit organizations eligible?
Yes. For-profit organizations other than small businesses are listed as eligible.
Are tribal governments eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are included in the eligibility list.
What kinds of organizations does this opportunity seem designed for?
Based on the description, FTA appears open to applicants with demonstrated capability in standards development, convening stakeholders, translating technical work into implementable guidance, and supporting adoption across the transit sector.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The funding is provided under CFDA 20.531.
What funding activity category does this fall under?
The opportunity falls within the transportation funding activity category.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The creation date listed for the opportunity is November 22, 2022.
What was the original application closing date?
The original application closing date was January 23, 2023.
What is the overall goal FTA is trying to achieve through this award?
The overarching aim is to improve public transportation by developing and advancing voluntary standards and practical supporting materials that help produce safer, more efficient, and more effective transit service, with more consistent outcomes across the industry.
What does it mean that this is a discretionary funding opportunity?
The opportunity is described as discretionary, and it anticipates a single award up to $3,000,000, indicating a competitive selection for a nationally relevant project rather than an automatic or formula-based distribution.
Why does the opportunity emphasize stakeholder collaboration?
The description indicates that collaboration helps ensure the standards and guidance are credible, usable, and aligned with current operating realities, and that the outcomes are positioned for adoption and real-world use.
What is implied by making a single award for one project?
The opportunity description suggests a competitive, flagship-style project intended to produce nationally relevant standards and supporting materials for public transportation.
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