Assistance Listing 20.530
Public Transportation Innovation
Department of Transportation · Federal Transit Administration
Assistance Listing 20.530, “Public Transportation Innovation,” is a federal program administered by Department of Transportation. It provides cooperative agreement assistance. GrantsJunction currently tracks 0 open, 0 forecasted and 1 closed opportunities under this listing. The agency reported $9.05M in obligations for fiscal year 2025.
Program objective
This listing supports projects that advance public transportation through research, innovation, demonstration, and evaluation. Public Transportation Innovation projects follow a phased approach, where research outcomes inform subsequent innovation and deployment efforts. Research projects aim to develop and test new ideas, practices, and technologies that improve public transportation efficiency and effectiveness. Eligible research projects may focus on: improving service for seniors and individuals with disabilities; mobility and travel management systems; data and communication systems; system capacity including train control and performance management; capital and operating efficiencies; planning, forecasting, and modeling; vehicle design and technology advancements; asset maintenance and repair systems; construction and project management; alternative fuels; safety improvements; or other priorities identified by the Secretary to advance public transportation. Innovation and development projects build on successful research results to enhance public transportation nationwide. Eligible projects may involve the development of prior successful research, planning and forecasting modeling, capital and operating efficiencies, advanced vehicle design, technology advancements, system capacity improvements, or other areas deemed important to improve public transportation service delivery. Demonstration, deployment, and evaluation projects promote the early implementation of proven innovations and require comprehensive evaluation within two years. Eligible projects focus on deploying research and technology from Federal or private efforts to improve public transportation systems. Vehicle Component Testing Centers competitively select institutions of higher education to conduct testing, evaluation, and analysis of advanced vehicle components. Selected institutions must have the capacity for advanced component and vehicle evaluation, equipped laboratories, and access to facilities that emulate real-world conditions for component testing. Component testing is voluntary, but vehicles must meet applicable bus testing requirements. Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP) is administered in partnership with the National Academies of Science and governed by an independent board to recommend public transportation research, development, and technology transfer activities. New initiatives under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law include Advanced Digital Construction Management Systems to document and implement digital construction practices and expanded capabilities for component testing centers to research advanced vehicle technologies and fund related capital projects.
As published in the SAM.gov Assistance Listing.
Current opportunities under 20.530
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)
- Transit Authority
- For-Profit Organization
- Other
- Nonprofit Organization
- U.S. State Government (including the District of Columbia)
- Other Local Government Consortium, Regional Organization (Intrastate), or Other Local Government Combination
Federal Government departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the Government, including Federal laboratories; State and local governmental entities; providers of public transportation; private or non-profit organizations; institutions of higher education; and technical and community colleges.
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): FY 2023: Range $100,000 to $5,000,000; and approximate Average of Financial Assistance: $1,400,000. FY 2024: Range: $140,000 to $5,000,000; and approximate Average of Financial Assistance: $1,400,000 FY 2025: No budget appropriated.
Source: SAM.gov Assistance Listing 20.530. Hatched bars are agency estimates. These totals do not indicate approval rates.Recently closed under 20.530
| Opportunity | Status | Award range | Closes | ALN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FY26 Bus Safety, Accessibility, and Innovation Notice of Funding OpportunityDOT - Federal Transit Administration | Closed | Up to $10M | Sep 28, 2026 | 20.530 |
Frequently asked questions
What is ALN 20.530?
20.530 is the Assistance Listing Number for “Public Transportation Innovation.” 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 20.530?
The SAM.gov listing names these applicant types: Transit Authority, For-Profit Organization, Other, Nonprofit Organization, U.S. State Government (including the District of Columbia) and Other Local Government Consortium, Regional Organization (Intrastate), or Other Local Government Combination. Each funding notice under the program sets its own eligibility, so check the specific opportunity.
How much funding does 20.530 provide?
The agency reported $9,051,000 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.