Assistance Listing 20.509
Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program
TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF · Federal Transit Administration
Assistance Listing 20.509, “Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program,” is a federal program administered by TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF. It provides grant assistance. GrantsJunction currently tracks 0 open, 0 forecasted and 0 closed opportunities under this listing. The agency reported $1.19B in obligations for fiscal year 2025.
- Likely formula or pass-through fundingThis program obligates substantial funding but has no competitive notices in our Grants.gov records. Funds like these are often distributed by formula or through state agencies — contact your state's administering agency about sub-awards. calculated by GrantsJunction
- Funding down 5% (FY24→FY25)Actual obligations reported in the SAM.gov listing changed -5% from FY2024 to FY2025. Historical data, not a prediction. calculated by GrantsJunction
Program objective
The Formula Grants for Rural Areas Program provides capital, planning, and operating assistance to states to support public transportation in rural areas with populations less than 50,000. The Tribal Transit Formula and Competitive Programs provide funding to federally recognized tribes for capital, operating, planning, and administrative expenses in rural tribal communities.
As published in the SAM.gov Assistance Listing.
Current opportunities under 20.509
No open or forecasted opportunities are currently posted under this listing. Programs often post notices on an annual cycle — see recently closed opportunities below for timing.
Eligible applicants (program level)
- U.S. State Government (including the District of Columbia)
- Federally Recognized Indian/Native American/Alaska Native Tribal Government
- Local
- Transit Authority
- Nonprofit Organization
Funds for the Rural Area and Tribal Transit Formula Programs are apportioned directly to the State Department of Transportation or Tribe. The Tribal Transit Competitive Program funds are distributed through a competitive process. State Departments of Transportation may allocate their Rural Area Formula funds to their chosen sub-recipients which may include other State agencies, local government organizations, nonprofit organizations, Indian tribes, and operators of public transportation services, including intercity bus service, in rural areas. Private for-profit operators of transit or paratransit services may participate in the program only through contracts with eligible recipients. Private intercity bus operators may participate as subrecipients or through contracts. Urbanized areas, as defined by the Bureau of the Census, are not eligible. For the Tribal Transit Formula Program the only eligible applicants include are recognized Indian tribes. For the Tribal Transit Competitive Program, eligible applicants include federally recognized Indian tribes or Alaska Native villages, groups, or communities as identified by the U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs. Additionally, applicants must be located and provide service in a rural area with a population of 50,000 or less.
Intended beneficiaries: Public nonprofit institution/organization, Local, Private nonprofit institution/organization, State and Anyone/general public.
Program-level eligibility from SAM.gov. Each funding notice sets its own requirements.
Reported obligations by fiscal year
Historical data · not a predictionRange and average of financial assistance (from the listing): For FY 2023, the average award for a formula grant received under the Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program was $747,417 ranging from $1,283 to $1,493,552. Competitive grant program selections were announced in October 2022 and the average award was $812, 085 with a range from $16,185 to $1,607,986. In 2021, the average award under the Formula Grants for Rural Areas was approximately $24,194,874, ranging from approximately $349,046 to $48,040,703. In FY24, under TTP grants range from $1,973 to $1.5 million.
Source: SAM.gov Assistance Listing 20.509. Hatched bars are agency estimates. These totals do not indicate approval rates.Frequently asked questions
What is ALN 20.509?
20.509 is the Assistance Listing Number for “Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program.” Assistance Listing Numbers (formerly CFDA numbers) identify federal assistance programs; individual grant opportunities reference the listing they are funded under.
Who can apply under ALN 20.509?
The SAM.gov listing names these applicant types: U.S. State Government (including the District of Columbia), Federally Recognized Indian/Native American/Alaska Native Tribal Government, Local, Transit Authority and Nonprofit Organization. Each funding notice under the program sets its own eligibility, so check the specific opportunity.
How much funding does 20.509 provide?
The agency reported $1,190,874,000 in obligations for FY2025 in the SAM.gov Assistance Listing. These are program-wide totals reported by the agency, not a prediction of future awards.