FY26 Bus Safety, Accessibility, and Innovation Notice of Funding Opportunity
FTA is offering up to $10 million for up to two projects to develop innovative, widely deployable bus safety and accessibility solutions for FY2026.
Funder: DOT - Federal Transit Administration
Due Dates: September 28, 2026 (Full proposal deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $10 million total; up to two awards; maximum federal share is 80% of project cost; project period up to 3 years.
Summary: Supports research and prototyping of innovative concepts to improve safety and accessibility for bus operators, passengers, and vulnerable road users.
Key Information: Teams must include a Transit Vehicle Manufacturer (TVM) in a prominent role; cost share required.
Description
This opportunity from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) provides up to $10 million in competitive funding for the development and prototyping of innovative, widely deployable concepts intended to make existing and new transit buses safer for operators, passengers, and vulnerable road users, as well as more accessible for all passengers, including those with disabilities. The program aims to address critical safety and accessibility challenges such as operator assaults, blind spots, and barriers to independent use by people with physical and cognitive disabilities. Projects should focus on research, design, and prototyping of solutions that can be retrofitted onto existing buses or included in new bus designs.
