GrantsUnited States

Fiscal Year 2026 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Low or No Emission Program

Posted July 29, 2026

Coverage / FundingFinancial Support Available

Degree LevelOpen to Qualified Applicants

Location / ModeUnited States

DeadlineSep 21, 2026

About this opportunity

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is making roughly $589 million available through its Low or No Emission Grant Program for fiscal year 2026. This competitive grant funds the purchase or lease of low-emission and zero-emission transit buses. It also covers the acquisition, construction, and leasing of supporting facilities like charging stations, maintenance depots, and fueling infrastructure. Around 50 awards are expected to be made from this pool. This is a capital grant, not an operating subsidy. That means the money goes toward buying assets and building infrastructure, not covering day-to-day transit operations. Agencies looking to replace aging diesel fleets with electric, hydrogen fuel cell, or other clean-energy buses are the typical beneficiaries. The program is designed to help transit systems meet emissions reduction goals while modernizing their fleets. The FTA is the federal agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation that oversees public transit funding. It distributes billions annually to support buses, subways, light rail, and commuter rail systems across the country. The Low-No Program has been a key driver in the transition to cleaner transit, funding everything from battery-electric buses in major cities to small pilot projects in rural communities. Proposals must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on September 21, 2026. The official announcement is listed as opportunity FTA-2026-011-TPM-LWNO. Given the scale of the funding and the application requirements, agencies should start preparing their proposals well ahead of the deadline.

Benefits

Approximately $589 million in total available funding
Up to 50 individual awards expected
Covers purchase or lease of low-emission and zero-emission transit buses
Includes acquisition, construction, and leasing of supporting facilities such as charging infrastructure and maintenance facilities
Award ceiling and floor are both listed as $0, meaning award amounts are determined by project scope and FTA review

Eligibility

Designated recipients of FTA funding
States, including U.S. territories and Washington, D.C.
Local governmental authorities
Indian Tribes
For projects in rural (non-urbanized) areas, proposals must be submitted by a State, either individually or as part of a statewide application
Indian Tribes are exempt from the rural submission requirement and may submit directly

Required Documents

Completed application through Grants.gov
Project narrative describing the proposed bus purchases or leases
Supporting facility plans, including site details for charging or fueling infrastructure
Budget documentation outlining how grant funds will be used
Any additional documentation required by the FTA-2026-011-TPM-LWNO announcement

How to Apply

Review the full announcement on Grants.gov under opportunity number FTA-2026-011-TPM-LWNO.
Prepare your proposal, including all required supporting documents, and submit it electronically through the Grants.gov portal.
Click the Apply button below to submit your application.

Ready to start your application?

Submit your materials before the official deadline.

Apply Now

Oppora Editorial Application Tip

Verify all official guidelines and eligibility criteria directly with the host institution before submitting. Prepare your transcript evaluation, referee letters, and motivational statement early to avoid deadline bottleneck delays.

⚡

Oppora Editorial Analysis

Official Application Strategy & Recommended Tools

Competitiveness Rating:Moderate

Selection Committee Priorities

•Academic/Professional Alignment: Ensure your statement explicitly ties your past work in United States to Department of Transportation's strategic goals.
•Leadership Evidence: Selection panels heavily weigh demonstrated initiative, community impact, or research output.
•Financial & Language Prerequisites: Confirm if Medium of Instruction (MOI) certificates can substitute for formal standardized language test fees.

Recommended Studio Tools for This Application

📄Use Oppora's CV Builder Studio

Build ATS CV →

✍️Use Oppora's AI Cover Letter Generator

Draft Letter →

🧮Use Universal Academic GPA Converter

Convert Grades →

🎓Use US F-1 Visa Interview Simulator

Practice Interview →

⚠️ Common Pitfall:Do not submit generic motivation letters. Use Oppora's Studio tools to tailor your application specifically to Department of Transportation's values.

Explore All Studio Tools →

Eligibility CheckerFind opportunities that fit you CV BuilderBuild a scholarship-ready CV

Similar Grants

View all →

Grants· Department Of Defense

Defense University Research Instrumentation Program by DoW

Opportunity Overview The Department of War (DoW) is accepting proposals for the Fiscal Year 2027 Defense University Research Instrumentation Program (DURIP), with individual awards ranging from $50,000 to $3,000,000. The program funds the purchase of research equipment and instrumentation for accredited U.S. institutions of higher education. The goal is straightforward: strengthen the country's research base in fields that matter to national defense, and train the next generation of scientists and engineers in those areas. DURIP is a long-running federal program, historically managed by the Army, Navy, and Air Force research offices, that funnels money directly into university labs. Unlike research grants that pay for personnel or operating costs, DURIP money is specifically for hardware. Think electron microscopes, supercomputing clusters, test chambers, fabrication tools, or specialized sensors. The equipment must support research and education in science, mathematics, or engineering disciplines that align with defense priorities. The Department of War is the federal agency responsible for the nation's military forces and defense research enterprise. It oversees a vast network of laboratories, research centers, and university partnerships that develop technologies ranging from materials science to artificial intelligence. Through programs like DURIP, the department keeps American universities at the leading edge of the fields that underpin military capability. For a university, winning a DURIP award means a lab gets a major piece of equipment it could not otherwise afford. The program is competitive, and proposals are judged on how well the requested instrumentation will advance both research and student training. For-profit institutions are excluded, but University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) are eligible to participate. Benefits - Award amounts range from $50,000 to $3,000,000 per proposal - Funds cover the acquisition of research equipment and instrumentation - Equipment supports both research activities and education of scientists and engineers - Awards are made directly to accredited U.S. institutions of higher education Eligibility - Open to accredited U.S. institutions of higher education - Institution must offer degree-granting programs in science, mathematics, and/or engineering - For-profit educational institutions are not eligible - University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) are eligible to participate Required Documents - Proposal describing the equipment or instrumentation to be purchased - Justification linking the equipment to research and educational goals in defense-relevant fields - Documentation of the institution's accredited status How to Apply 1. Prepare a proposal that identifies the specific equipment needed and explains how it will support defense-related research and education. 2. Submit the proposal through the Department of War's designated application system for the FY2027 DURIP competition. 3. Click the Apply button below to submit your application.

Closes Nov 6🇺🇸 United States

Grants· Department of State

AI Partnership & Exchange for Tech Leaders (APEX)

Opportunity Overview The U.S. Embassy Riyadh Public Diplomacy Section is accepting applications for a cooperative agreement to run the AI Partnership & Exchange for Tech Leaders (APEX) program. This initiative connects rising Saudi AI leaders aged 20 to 30 with American experts in business, tech, and academia. The program helps participants build professional networks, study U.S. technology standards, and create lasting partnerships between American and Saudi institutions. One award will be granted, with funding ranging from $150,000 to $250,000. The selected partner will design and run the program for Saudi nationals who are undergraduate, graduate, or post-doctoral students, or recent graduates working in AI-related fields like data science, robotics, or machine learning. Participants must speak fluent English and demonstrate strong leadership potential. The program includes three mandatory phases: a preparation phase with a virtual hackathon, a two-week U.S. exchange trip, and a follow-on summit in Saudi Arabia. The partner will also match each participant with a professional mentor for three months of bi-weekly virtual career coaching after the exchange. The U.S. Embassy Riyadh Public Diplomacy Section works to strengthen ties between the United States and Saudi Arabia through cultural, educational, and professional exchange programs. This cooperative agreement is part of broader U.S. efforts to support the development of AI talent in Saudi Arabia and foster collaboration between American and Saudi institutions. The embassy manages public diplomacy initiatives that promote mutual understanding and shared interests between the two countries. Participants will travel to two or three U.S. cities in July 2027, visiting tech hubs and universities, attending networking events, and participating in workshops at a major AI summit. The program is designed for Saudi nationals who are studying or working in AI-related fields and have strong leadership potential. Living costs in the U.S. vary by state, averaging $1,200 to $2,200 per month depending on housing, health insurance, and campus meal plans. F-1 visa holders can work up to 20 hours per week on-campus during academic terms and apply for CPT/OPT for off-campus industry training. The U.S. offers vibrant campus cultures, world-class research infrastructure, and varied regional climates ranging from coastal to continental. Benefits - Award ceiling of $250,000 - Award floor of $150,000 - Funding for one cooperative agreement - Budget scenarios required for 12, 16 (primary), and 20 participants - Program quality maintained at all three cohort sizes - Cost-effectiveness demonstrated at different scales Eligibility - Open to not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations - Open to public and private educational institutions - Open to Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions - Participants must be Saudi nationals aged 20 to 30 - Participants must be undergraduate, graduate, or post-doctoral students, or recent graduates - Participants must be studying or working in AI-related fields such as data science, robotics, or machine learning - Participants must speak fluent English - Participants must show strong leadership potential Required Documents - Three complete budget scenarios for 12 participants, 16 participants (primary), and 20 participants - Each budget scenario must maintain program quality while demonstrating cost-effectiveness at different scales How to Apply 1. Prepare your application, including the three budget scenarios for 12, 16, and 20 participants. 2. Submit your application to the U.S. Embassy Riyadh Public Diplomacy Section for the cooperative agreement. 3. Click the Apply button below to submit your application.

Deadline passed🇺🇸 United States

Grants· Department of Agriculture

Plant Protection Act Section 7721 Fiscal Year 2027 National Clean Plant Network (NCPN)

Opportunity Overview The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is making at least $10 million available for projects under the Plant Protection Act Section 7721 National Clean Plant Network (NCPN) program. The funding supports a network of Clean Plant Centers across the United States that provide diagnostic and pathogen elimination services. The goal is to produce clean propagative plant material, free of targeted plant pathogens, and maintain blocks of pathogen-tested material for specialty crop producers. Up to 25 awards are available, with a maximum of $3.5 million per project. The NCPN was established under the Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill), Title X, Section 10202. Clean plant centers conduct diagnostic testing and pathogen elimination, and establish foundation blocks, also known as nuclear stock. These provide pathogen-tested plant materials to nurseries, growers, and state certification programs. The program protects the environment and supports the global competitiveness of U.S. specialty crop producers by ensuring they have access to reliable, disease-free planting material. APHIS is the agency within the USDA responsible for protecting U.S. agriculture from pests and diseases. It operates programs that regulate genetically engineered organisms, administer the Animal Welfare Act, and safeguard the health and value of American agriculture. The NCPN is one of its key initiatives for supporting specialty crops, which include fruits, nuts, vegetables, and other horticultural crops. The network operates through partnerships with universities, state agencies, and non-profit organizations. The United States offers a varied working environment, with regional climates ranging from coastal to continental. Living costs vary by state, averaging $1,200 to $2,200 per month depending on housing, health insurance, and meal plans. For international researchers and students, F-1 visa holders can work up to 20 hours per week on-campus during academic terms, and can apply for CPT/OPT for off-campus industry training. The country is home to world-class university research infrastructure and vibrant campus cultures. Benefits - At least $10 million in total program funding - Award ceiling of $3,500,000 per project - Award floor of $1 - Up to 25 awards available - Funding supports diagnostic services, pathogen elimination, and maintenance of pathogen-tested plant material blocks Eligibility - Land grant universities - Non-land grant colleges of agriculture - State Departments of Agriculture - State and Federal agencies - Non-profit organizations - Projects must support one of the current crop groups in NCPN - Projects must show coordination with the appropriate NCPN specialty crop governing body - Existing Federal or State facilities with demonstrated capacity to provide clean plant material are prioritized Required Documents - Application materials available through ezFedGrants or Grants.gov, searching Assistance Listing number 10.031 - Application materials must comply with Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 for accessibility How to Apply 1. Review the NCPN Strategic Plan and Request for Proposals on the USDA APHIS NCPN website to ensure your project aligns with program priorities. 2. Prepare your application materials and submit them through ezFedGrants or Grants.gov by searching Assistance Listing number 10.031. 3. Click the Apply button below to submit your application.

Closes Oct 19🇺🇸 United States

Grants· Department of Agriculture

Plant Pest and Disease Management at APHIS

Opportunity Overview APHIS is making up to $90 million available in Fiscal Year 2027 for projects that protect U.S. agriculture from invasive plant pests and diseases. The funding comes through the Plant Protection Act Section 7721 program, specifically the Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster Prevention Program (PPDMDPP). At least $73 million of that total is earmarked for PPDMDPP projects. Individual awards range from $1 to $400,000, and APHIS expects to fund around 350 projects. The program's core mission is straightforward: stop harmful pests and pathogens before they establish themselves in American agriculture. Projects can focus on surveying for pests, inspecting domestic shipments, developing diagnostic technology, protecting nursery production, educating the public, or responding quickly to pest outbreaks. The work protects specialty crops, nursery systems, forestry, and other agricultural production systems. Every project must align with at least one of the six goal areas outlined in the FY 2027 Implementation Plan. APHIS, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, is the USDA agency responsible for safeguarding American agriculture. It operates across all 50 states and works with international partners to prevent pests from crossing borders. The agency runs inspection programs at ports of entry, monitors domestic pest populations, and coordinates emergency responses when outbreaks occur. This grant program is one of its primary tools for funding state and local efforts that complement federal work. The United States offers a diverse working environment for agricultural research and extension work. Living costs vary widely by region, ranging from roughly $1,200 to $2,200 per month depending on housing, health insurance, and location. The country's land-grant university system provides world-class research infrastructure, and state departments of agriculture maintain close working relationships with federal agencies. Climate ranges from coastal to continental, meaning project conditions can differ dramatically depending on where the work takes place. Benefits - Up to $90,000,000 total available for FY 2027 - At least $73,000,000 anticipated for PPDMDPP projects - Award ceiling of $400,000 per project - Award floor of $1 per project - Approximately 350 awards expected Eligibility - State Departments of Agriculture - Other State and Federal agencies - Tribal nations - Non-profit organizations - Industry entities - Colleges and Universities Required Documents - Completed PPA 7721 ServiceNow Suggestion Submission form - Budget template, Survey template, or Diagnostic Laboratory template (as applicable) - Narrative Report, if applicable How to Apply 1. Review the FY 2027 PPA 7721 Implementation Plan to identify which of the six goal areas your project supports. 2. Complete the PPA 7721 ServiceNow Suggestion Submission form and upload the required templates and narrative report. 3. Submit your suggestion through the PPA 7721 ServiceNow Suggestion Submission portal.

Closes Sep 21🇺🇸 United States

Grants· Department of the Interior

FY26 Bureau of Land Management Invasive and Noxious Plant Management - Bureau wide

Opportunity Overview The Bureau of Land Management is offering grants between $20,000 and $400,000 for projects that tackle invasive and noxious plant management on public lands across the United States. Up to 40 awards will be made under this funding round. The program targets organizations that can prevent, detect, inventory, control, and monitor weed populations on BLM-managed lands. Invasive plants are a serious problem for American public lands. They cost the public millions of dollars each year in control and management efforts. Many noxious weeds are highly competitive and can permanently degrade the ecosystems they invade. BLM considers noxious weed expansion the single greatest threat to native plant communities and the values those communities provide, including wildlife habitat, watershed function, recreation opportunities, rural economies, and working landscapes. The Bureau of Land Management manages over 245 million acres of public land, mostly in the western United States. Its mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of these lands for current and future generations. Invasive species work is a core part of that mission, especially as wildfires become more frequent and severe, leaving landscapes more vulnerable to weed invasion. Human activity, including trade, travel, and tourism, has accelerated the movement of species to unprecedented levels, making early detection and rapid response more important than ever. This funding supports a range of activities. Projects may focus on early detection and rapid response to new infestations, emergency stabilization and burned area rehabilitation, education and citizen science, direct treatment of invasive species to protect resource values, or development of classical biological control agents. The work affects not just public lands but also adjacent private lands, farms, ranches, parks, waters, forests, and even backyards. Invasive species reduce recreational opportunities like hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking, and they cause economic losses in both rural and urban communities. Eligible applicants include state and local governments, tribes, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions. Individuals and for-profit organizations cannot apply. Organizations that want to hire interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 should not apply here, as this funding does not support that authority. Those groups should look at the separate BLM Youth Conservation Opportunities program instead. Benefits - Awards range from $20,000 to $400,000 per project - Up to 40 awards available in this funding round - Funding supports field treatments, monitoring, education, and research activities Eligibility - Open to state and local governments, tribes, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions - Individuals are not eligible to apply - For-profit organizations are not eligible to apply - Organizations seeking to hire interns or crews under the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993 are not eligible under this program - Projects must focus on invasive and noxious plant management on BLM-managed public lands How to Apply 1. Review the full Notice of Funding Opportunity to confirm your organization's eligibility and understand the application requirements. 2. Prepare your project proposal, including specific activities, expected outcomes, and a budget within the $20,000 to $400,000 range. 3. Click the Apply button below to submit your application.

Closes Sep 25🇺🇸 United States

Grants· Department of Transportation

Fiscal Year 2026 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Buses and Bus Facilities Program

Opportunity Overview The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is making about $21 million available through its Fiscal Year 2026 Buses and Bus Facilities Program. This competitive grant round will fund capital projects that replace, rehabilitate, purchase, or lease buses and related equipment, as well as work on bus-related facilities like maintenance depots, parking lots, and passenger stations. The FTA expects to make five awards from this funding pool. This is a federal discretionary grant, meaning agencies must compete for the money rather than receive it through a formula. The program is designed to help public transit systems modernize their fleets and infrastructure. For a mid-sized transit agency, $21 million could cover a significant bus replacement order or a major facility renovation. Smaller agencies might use the funds for a handful of new vehicles or targeted facility upgrades. The FTA is the agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation that oversees federal funding for public transit. It administers billions of dollars in grants each year to support transit systems across the country, from large urban networks to small rural operations. The Buses and Bus Facilities Program is one of its core competitive grant streams, and it has funded thousands of projects since its inception. Eligible applicants include designated recipients that allocate funds to fixed-route bus operators, states and territories, local government entities running fixed-route bus service, and Indian tribes. Private nonprofit organizations engaged in public transportation can participate as subrecipients. For projects in rural areas, states must submit the application unless the project comes from an Indian tribe. All proposals must go through Grants.gov under opportunity number FTA-2026-010-TPM-BUS, with a deadline of September 21, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Benefits - Approximately $21 million in total available funding - Five awards expected to be made - Funding covers bus replacement, rehabilitation, purchase, or lease - Funding covers related equipment acquisition - Funding covers bus facility construction, rehabilitation, purchase, or lease - Projects in rural areas can be bundled into a single statewide application Eligibility - Designated recipients that allocate funds to fixed-route bus operators - States, including territories and Washington D.C. - Local governmental entities that operate fixed-route bus service - Indian tribes - Private nonprofit organizations engaged in public transportation (as subrecipients only) - All proposals for rural area projects must be submitted by a State, except those proposed by Indian tribes - Proposals must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov Required Documents - Full application submitted through Grants.gov under opportunity FTA-2026-010-TPM-BUS - Project proposal describing the capital project and its scope - Documentation demonstrating eligible applicant status How to Apply 1. Review the full announcement on Grants.gov under opportunity number FTA-2026-010-TPM-BUS. 2. Prepare your proposal and gather all required documentation before the deadline. 3. Submit your application electronically through Grants.gov by September 21, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.