Metropolitan Transportation Planning and State and Non-Metropolitan Planning and Research
Active
- Assistance listing
- 20.505
- Agency
-
Federal Transit Administration
Department of Transportation
- Grant awards
- 3,838 $4,269,680,889 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Also known as
- Metropolitan Transportation Planning and State and Non-Metropolitan Planning
- Assistance types
-
- Formula Grant
- Project Grant
- Cooperative Agreement
- Treasury account
-
- 69-8350-0-7-401
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration funds metropolitan and statewide transportation planning through CFDA 20.505, with the most recent grant awards disbursed on August 31, 2026. The program is actively distributing formula grants to States and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) for unified planning work programs, long-range transportation plans, and technical planning activities. Awards also support Areas of Persistent Poverty (AoPP) initiatives, which fund planning assistance to eligible applicants located in economically distressed regions; this assistance cannot be used for capital, operating, or maintenance expenses.
The program has sustained high activity with 3,838 total awards since 1999 and 199 awards in 2026 year-to-date (through August). The Federal Transit Administration dominates funding, obligating $3.32 billion across 1,710 awards, while the Federal Highway Administration obligates $954 million across 2,128 awards, covering 100 percent of the program's $4.27 billion in combined federal obligations. The assistance-type mix is heavily skewed toward Formula Grants (82 percent of awards), with Project Grants representing 18 percent and minimal Cooperative Agreements. Combined federal and non-federal dollars obligated total $5.66 billion, indicating cost-share contributions of roughly $1.39 billion from recipients.
Recent awards span fiscal year 2027 planning cycles across multiple states. Metropolitan Planning Organization unified planning work programs represent the bulk of recent awards, ranging from $111,853 for the City of Abilene to $4,362,922 for the Dallas/Fort Worth MPO. Statewide planning grants include Colorado's regional transit planning update ($249,870), Georgia's regional planning commission coordination ($222,245), and Texas's statewide planning and pilot projects ($3,096,764). Project Grants, though smaller in quantity, address planning studies for specific initiatives—a Philadelphia SEPTA accessibility design project received $500,000, and an Illinois CTA Englewood Line station restoration study was awarded $865,000.
No grant opportunities are currently open. The most recent posted opportunities closed in 2023 and earlier years: the Areas of Persistent Poverty Program (FTA-2023-006-TPE) closed March 10, 2023 with $20 million; the Route Planning Restoration Program (FTA-2021-007-TPE) closed November 15, 2021 with $25 million; and the FY 2020 HOPE Program closed June 3, 2020 with $8.5 million. Applications for ongoing formula grants are submitted quarterly to the appropriate FTA Regional Office, due no later than the first business day of each quarter, with approval and release by end of quarter. Grant guidance is provided through FTA Circular 8100.1D (September 10, 2018).
Objective and description
- Objective
The purpose of the Metropolitan Transportation Planning and State and Non-Metropolitan Planning and Research is to assist in development of metropolitan and state transportation improvement programs, long-range transportation plans, and other technic
- Description
The Metropolitan Transportation Planning and State and Non-Metropolitan Planning program provides assistance to States and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) to assist with the transportation planning within the State and urbanized areas. A feature of the program is heavy reliance on public input for design of the transportation system through project selection. The AoPP program provides assistance to States, tribes, and designated or direct recipients eligible under 49 U.S.C. 5307, 49 U.S.C. 5310, or 49 U.S.C. 5311 that are located in areas of persistent poverty. Assistance cannot be used for capital, operating, or maintenance expenses.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
Metropolitan Transportation Planning and State and Non-Metropolitan Planning and Research: State Apportionments are made to the States for 1) statewide planning and 2) formula distribution to the Metropolitan Planning Organizations designated for the urbanized areas within each State for planning within urbanized areas. State Apportionments for metropolitan planning and for state planning and research are made to the States. Funds for metropolitan planning are distributed by formula to the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) designated for the urbanized areas within each State. AoPP: Eligible projects seeking funds for the AoPP Program must be located: (1) in a county that had greater than or equal to 20 percent of the population living in poverty over the 30-year period preceding the date of enactment of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 (Pub. L. 117-58, Jan 03, 2022), as measured by the 1990 and 2000 decennial census and the most recent Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, or (2) in a census tract with a poverty rate of at least 20 percent as measured by the (2014-2018) 5-year data series available from the American Community Survey of the Bureau of the Census; or (3) in any territory or possession of the United States. States, tribes, and designated or direct recipients eligible under 49 U.S.C. 5307, 49 U.S.C. 5310, or 49 U.S.C. 5311 that are located in areas of persistent poverty.
- Beneficiary eligibility
Apportionments for metropolitan planning and for state planning and research are made to the States. Funds for metropolitan planning are distributed by formula to the Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) designated for the urbanized areas within each State.
- Credentials and documentation
Federal Register Notice, "FTA Fiscal Year 2022 Apportionments, Allocations, and Program Information", published at https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/apportionments/table-1-fy-2022-fta-appropriations-and-apportionments-grant-programs-full It contains the state-by-state program apportionment for both Metropolitan Transportation Planning and State and Non-Metropolitan Planning and Research. For other fiscal years, contact the FTA Regional Office or refer to the FTA website at https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/apportionments/archived-apportionments. 2 CFR 400 Subpart E: Cost Principles applies to these programs.
- Uses of assistance
Metropolitan Transportation Planning and State and Non-Metropolitan Planning and Research: In metropolitan areas, activities assisted under this section may include preparation of transportation plans including transportation improvement programs and management systems; studies related to transportation management, operations, capital requirements, economic feasibility, performance-based planning, public transportation agency safety plans, transit asset management plans, evaluation of previously funded capital projects; and other related activities in preparation for the construction, acquisition, or improved operation of transportation systems, facilities, and equipment, public participation in transportation planning, security and emergency transportation planning. In nonurbanized areas of the state, eligible activities include planning, and technical studies and assistance. A State may authorize the use of a portion of these funds to supplement and administer Metropolitan Planning. AoPP: Areas of Persistent Poverty Grant funds may be used for planning, engineering or development of technical or financing plans for projects eligible under Chapter 53 of title 49 USC.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
Metropolitan Transportation Planning and State and Non-Metropolitan Planning and Research: Funds are available for 3 years following the year for which they were appropriated. AoPP: Funds are available for 4 years following the year for which they were appropriated. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: The Assistance Listing is applied and awarded through FTA's Transit Award Management System (TrAMS). Funding is released to the applicants through a separate financial management system.
How to apply
- Preapplication coordination
Following each decennial Census, each State must submit to FTA for approval a formula, developed in cooperation with affected MPOs, for the distribution of a State's Section 5305(d) apportionment to MPOs in each urbanized area within the State.
- Application procedure
Application for a grant should be addressed to the appropriate Regional Office of the Federal Transit Administration. FTA Circular 8100.1D dated September 10, 2018, Program Guidance for Application Instructions for Metropolitan Planning and State Planning and Research Program Grants, provides detailed application information. Available on the Internet at: https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-guidance/fta-circulars/program-guidance-metropolitan-planning-and-state-planning-and States may apply through a paperless electronic grant application, review, approval, acceptance, and management process. This program is excluded from coverage under 49 CFR Part 19.
- Criteria for selecting proposals
Metropolitan Transportation Planning and State and Non-Metropolitan Planning and Research: Funding is allocated to the States for Statewide planning and for pass through by formula to Metropolitan Planning Organizations within their jurisdictions for urbanized area planning.
- Award procedure
FTA will approve and release the grant by the end of the quarterly cycle or earlier provided the application is complete and received by FTA at the beginning of the quarterly cycle.
- Time to approval or disapproval
Grant applications are due in the appropriate FTA Regional Office no later than the first business day of the quarter.
- Renewals
Grants may be amended to add additional funds.
- Appeals
Applicants may contact the FTA Regional Office if they have questions or concerns about an application.https://www.transit.dot.gov/about/regional-offices/regional-offices
Grant opportunities
| Opportunity | Status | Posted | Applications due |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2023 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Areas of Persistent Poverty Program | Closed | ||
| FY 2021 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Route Planning Restoration Program | Closed | ||
| FY 2021 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Areas of Persistent Poverty Program | Closed | ||
| FY 2020 Helping Obtain Prosperity for Everyone Program | Closed |
Grant awards
Latest 10 of 3,838 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | State Of California Department Of Transportation | $898,249,526 | 21% |
| 2 | Department Of Transportation California | $273,332,792 | 6% |
| 3 | Texas Department Of Transportation | $237,120,010 | 6% |
| 4 | State Of Florida Department Of Transportation | $230,214,390 | 5% |
| 5 | Maryland Department Of Transportation | $160,463,382 | 4% |
| 6 | Department Of Transportation New York | $149,235,086 | 3% |
| 7 | Illinois Department Of Transportation | $112,826,958 | 3% |
| 8 | Georgia Department Of Transportation | $86,627,410 | 2% |
| 9 | Iowa Department Of Transportation | $85,800,209 | 2% |
| 10 | Virginia Department Of Rail And Public Transportation | $80,339,029 | 2% |
10 of 154 recipients listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2026 | $206,140,862 |
| FY2025 | $237,448,934 |
| FY2024 | $238,954,091 |
| FY2023 | $253,906,992 |
| FY2022 | $350,947,822 |
| FY2021 | $184,326,760 |
| FY2020 | $186,221,030 |
| FY2019 | $281,671,622 |
| FY2018 | $277,604,313 |
| FY2017 | $160,081,962 |
| FY2016 | $235,571,384 |
| FY2015 | $123,868,825 |
| FY2014 | $170,771,779 |
| FY2013 | $187,829,870 |
| FY2012 | $103,492,952 |
| FY2011 | $168,100,190 |
| FY2010 | $163,596,260 |
| FY2009 | $89,701,562 |
| FY2008 | $130,985,141 |
| FY2007 | $155,487,928 |
| FY2006 | $112,654,502 |
| FY2005 | $52,588,172 |
| FY2004 | $49,442,614 |
| FY2003 | $13,318,793 |
| FY2002 | $13,060,187 |
| FY2001 | $110,027,962 |
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Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 20.505?
Assistance Listing 20.505 is Metropolitan Transportation Planning and State and Non-Metropolitan Planning and Research, a federal grant program run by Federal Transit Administration (Department of Transportation).
What is the CFDA number for Metropolitan Transportation Planning and State and Non-Metropolitan Planning and Research?
Its CFDA number is 20.505: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 20.505 awarded?
3,838 grant awards under 20.505 have obligated $4,269,680,889 in federal funds to 154 recipients.
Who receives the most funding from 20.505?
The recipients obligated the most under Metropolitan Transportation Planning and State and Non-Metropolitan Planning and Research are State Of California Department Of Transportation ($898,249,526), Department Of Transportation California ($273,332,792) and Texas Department Of Transportation ($237,120,010).
How much did 20.505 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 20.505 obligated $237,448,934 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
Are there open grant opportunities under 20.505?
No opportunity listed under 20.505 is open now. The latest, FY 2023 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Areas of Persistent Poverty Program, was posted on January 9, 2023.
On GovTribe
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