Ferry Service for Rural Communities
Active
- Assistance listing
- 20.539
- Agency
-
Federal Transit Administration
Department of Transportation
- Grant awards
- Not on record
Program facts
- Treasury accounts
-
- 69-1146-0-1-403
- 69-2812-0-1-401
- More information
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated .
About this program
The Federal Transit Administration is soliciting $454 million in competitive grants for the Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program (CFDA 20.539) with applications due May 11, 2026. Eligible recipients are States applying on behalf of rural subrecipients operating ferry service that maintained a regular schedule at any time during the five-year period ending March 1, 2020 and served not less than two rural areas located more than 50 sailing miles apart; limited alternative eligibility exists for ferry service connecting two rural areas with a single segment of 15 or 20 miles over water that does not qualify under the standard distance threshold.
The program funds three categories of activity: capital projects to purchase, construct, replace, or rehabilitate ferries, terminals, related infrastructure, and related equipment (including electric or low-emitting ferry vessels and associated infrastructure); planning projects; and operating assistance. Funding targets passenger ferry service in geographically isolated rural communities where ferry access is essential to mobility and the network has limited road alternatives. Projects are evaluated primarily on responses in the application supplemental form against criteria specified in the notice of funding opportunity, with final selections made by the FTA Administrator following senior management review.
Recipients must comply with federal procurement standards requiring full and open competition, maintain accurate financial records and documentation to justify expenditures, follow cost allowability rules, monitor subrecipients for compliance, complete Single Audits when total federal expenditures exceed thresholds, and adhere to property and asset management rules for federally funded equipment or construction. Environmental impact information is not required. Preapplication coordination is not applicable, and the program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372. For additional information, contact FTA HQ directly. The source does not contain a portfolio block with historical award data, recent grant awards, or award cadence information.
Objective and description
- Objective
The Passenger Ferry Grant Program for Rural Communities provides funding for passenger ferries through a competitive process to improve access and mobility in rural or geographically isolated communities that rely on ferry service due to limited road
- Description
The Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program funds capital, planning, and operating assistance for ferry service that operated a regular schedule at any time during the five-year period ending March 1, 2020 and served not less than two rural areas located more than 50 sailing miles apart. Funding is sometimes available for ferry service that serves at least two rural areas with a single segment over 15 or 20 miles between two rural areas that is not otherwise eligible for funding under the Passenger Ferry Program. States must apply on behalf of eligible rural subrecipients.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
Eligible Recipients are States
- Beneficiary eligibility
This program benefits states and its rural subrecipients with ferry service that meets the distance and operating schedule requirements described under Assistance Listing Description
- Uses of assistance
Eligible Activities: Ferry vessel acquisition or rehab (new or used) Construction or renovation of terminals Dock and mooring improvements Equipment and infrastructure necessary to maintain ferry service in rural areas
- Use restrictions
Eligible activities include capital, planning, and operating assistance for a ferry service that operated a regular schedule at any time during the five-year period ending March 1, 2020 and served not less than two rural areas located more than 50 sailing miles apart. Funding is also available for ferry service that serves at least two rural areas with a single segment over 20 miles between two rural areas that is not otherwise eligible for funding under the Passenger Ferry Program.
- Length and time phasing of assistance
Contact FTA HQ for additional information.
How to apply
- Preapplication coordination
Preapplication coordination is not applicable. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
- Criteria for selecting proposals
Projects will be evaluated primarily on the responses provided in the application supplemental form. Projects proposals are evaluated based on the criteria described in the notice of funding opportunity.
- Award procedure
After the technical evaluation, projects recommended for funding are presented to senior management for review. The FTA Administrator will determine the final selection of projects for program funding. Final project selections are posting on the FTA website along with any implementation guidance.
Grant opportunities
| Opportunity | Status | Posted | Applications due |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program | Closed |
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 20.539?
Assistance Listing 20.539 is Ferry Service for Rural Communities, a federal grant program run by Federal Transit Administration (Department of Transportation).
What is the CFDA number for Ferry Service for Rural Communities?
Its CFDA number is 20.539: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
Are there open grant opportunities under 20.539?
No opportunity listed under 20.539 is open now. The latest, FY 2026 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program, was posted on April 6, 2026.
On GovTribe
See this program's full record
- Every grant award and opportunity under it
- Funding by recipient, agency and assistance type
- Alerts for new opportunities
- Ask GovTribe AI about this program