Funding Opportunities

Securing funding is critical to the success of efforts to implement alternative fuels, advanced vehicle technologies, and fuel-saving strategies. Funding opportunities for Clean Cities coalition projects are available from many sources inside and outside the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

DOE's Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) has awarded more than $525 million to fund hundreds of projects across the country that advance alternative fuels and energy-efficient vehicle technologies. Learn more about funded projects.

Open Funding Opportunities

Current transportation-related funding opportunities, including VTO funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) issued by the U.S. Department of Energy, are listed below when available. To suggest adding a funding opportunity to this list, contact us.

• U.S. Department of Energy Vehicle Technologies Office, Fiscal Year 2023 Program Wide Funding Opportunity Announcement
  May 19, 2023
  • Concept papers due June 26, 2023
  • Full applications due Aug. 11, 2023
• Joint Office of Energy and Transportation Ride and Drive Electric, Fiscal Year 2023 Funding Opportunity Announcement
  May 17, 2023
  • Concept papers due June 16, 2023
  • Full applications due July 28, 2023
• Environmental Protection Agency 2023 Clean School Bus Grant Program
  April 24, 2023
  • Applications due Aug. 22, 2023
• Department of Transportation Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Discretionary Grant Program
  March 14, 2023
  • Applications due June 13, 2023

When applying for funding, contact your Clean Cities coalition for help in navigating the process successfully. Your local coalition can provide information about VTO FOAs and other funding opportunities. To get started, watch DOE's Information Session Series with recorded videos explaining the VTO FOA process and application components.

FOAs are also listed on Grants.gov, the portal for numerous grant programs administered by federal government agencies, and the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) exchange for all EERE FOAs.

Requests for Information also create an opportunity for Clean Cities partners to share information that may be used for planning and decision-making purposes, including but not limited to determining potential new areas of focus, funding opportunities, analyses, and organizational frameworks.

Other Funding Opportunities

Transportation-related funding opportunities from organizations and federal agencies outside of DOE are listed below. Some of the government agencies listed have ongoing funding opportunities available; others issue funding notices periodically or assist in forming partnerships that can provide funding opportunities for transportation-related projects.

U.S. Department of Transportation

• Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) Program: Administered by the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration, CMAQ funds projects and programs that reduce transportation-related emissions and relieve traffic congestion. Funds are distributed locally through metropolitan planning organizations.
• Federal Lands Access Program (FLAP): The FLAP was established to improve transportation facilities that provide access to, are adjacent to, or are located within federal lands. The program supplements state and local resources for public roads, transit systems, and other transportation facilities, with an emphasis on high-use recreation sites and economic generators.
• Voluntary Airport Low Emissions (VALE) Program: The VALE Program is designed to reduce sources of airport ground emissions. The program provides funding for fueling and charging stations, low-emission vehicles, and other airport air quality improvements.
• Transit Investments for Greenhouse Gas and Energy Reduction (TIGGER) Program: The TIGGER Program works with public transit agencies to implement strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and energy use from transit agency operations.

EERE Exchange

EERE exchange is an informational hub that hosts funding opportunities administered by DOE's EERE. EERE exchange is the only location where organizations can apply for EERE funding opportunities online. Search for open funding opportunity announcements on EERE exchange.

Environmental Protection Agency

• Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Funding: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides funding for emissions and idle reduction devices, vehicle replacements, and alternative fuel options and other strategies that reduce diesel emissions.
• Grants and Funding Opportunities: EPA provides links to grant programs and information about applying for EPA grants.
• EPA Regions: EPA regional offices can issue funding for projects in their respective geographic areas.
• Environmental Education Grants Program: EPA's Office of Environmental Education supports projects that enhance public awareness, knowledge, and skills to help citizens make informed decisions that affect environmental quality.
• EPA National Center for Environmental Research Funding Opportunities: This website contains EPA funding opportunities for research, including grants and fellowships, as well as past and present research projects and programs.

Grants.gov

Grants.gov is an information hub for numerous funding opportunities administered by federal government agencies. Grants.gov allows organizations to search and apply for competitive funding opportunities online. Search for open funding announcement opportunities on Grants.gov.

National Science Foundation

• Smart & Connected Communities (S&CC): The National Science Foundation’s S&CC program supports the creation of scientific and engineering foundations that will enable smart and connected communities. The program provides funding for a variety of integrative research areas including energy and transportation and mobility.

State Energy Offices

State energy offices research, demonstrate, and support the adoption of alternative fuel, renewable energy, and energy-efficient technologies; spur energy-related economic development; and promote energy security and emergency preparedness. These offices can help you identify potential sources for project funding. Find your state energy office from the National Association of State Energy Officials website.

Additional Funding Opportunities

Explore additional funding opportunities from federal government agencies:

• Grants and loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development
• Loan guarantees for clean energy projects from the DOE Loan Programs Office.

Requests for Information

Current transportation-related Requests for Information are listed below when available. To suggest adding a Request for Information to this list, contact us.

No active Requests for Information are available at this time.