Planning Assistance Grants
Forecasted
Planning Assistance Grants support Minnesota K–12 school communities with Safe Routes to School planning that combines infrastructure and school-based strategies to help children walk, bike, and roll safely.
Funder: Minnesota Department of Transportation
Due Dates (Anticipated): January 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Planning services, not direct funding; prior solicitation offered up to $400,000 total with no local match
Summary: Supports Safe Routes to School plans for Minnesota K–12 schools through engagement, local analysis, and infrastructure and school-based strategies.
Key Information: Applicants must partner with schools and support both infrastructure planning and school-based programming.
Description
The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) provides Safe Routes to School (SRTS) planning assistance for K–12 schools across Minnesota. Assistance can support an individual school, multiple schools, an entire school district, or a community plan involving several schools. Successful applicants work with a Regional Development Organization or statewide planning consultant rather than receiving funds directly.
Plans combine student and parent or caregiver engagement with analysis of existing conditions and local data. The process identifies and prioritizes potential infrastructure improvements alongside school-based education and encouragement strategies. Its goal is to help more children walk, bike, and roll safely and conveniently. Planning addresses the six SRTS elements: equity, education, encouragement, engagement, engineering, and evaluation.
