Safe Routes to School
Safe Routes to School supports Ohio’s K–12 students by funding school travel planning, infrastructure, and activities that make walking and biking to school safer and more accessible.
This grant was recently updated
Applications will open in late January 2027, with the deadline moving from March 6, 2026 to March 5, 2027. Infrastructure caps drop from $1,000,000 to $650,000 for construction-only requests and $750,000 for multiphase projects; plan approval and planning-assistance rules also changed.
Funder: Ohio Department of Transportation
Due Dates: March 5, 2027 (2027 funding applications)
Funding Amounts: 2027 infrastructure requests: up to $650,000 construction-only or $750,000 for multiple phases; non-infrastructure: $60,000 or $120,000 over two years
Summary: Supports planning, infrastructure, and activities that make walking and biking to school safer and more accessible for K–12 students in Ohio.
Key Information: An ODOT-approved School Travel Plan or equivalent is required before applying for project funding.
Description
The Ohio Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School program provides resources, technical assistance, and project funding to enable and encourage K–12 students, including students with disabilities, to walk or bike to school. Its comprehensive approach combines infrastructure improvements with activities across five categories: Engineering, Encouragement, Education, Enforcement, and Evaluation.
Infrastructure projects improve crossings, walkways, bicycle facilities, and trails within two miles of schools. Non-infrastructure projects can include educational programs, walking and biking events, crossing guard programs, outcome monitoring, and data collection. The program also supports School Travel Plan development through ODOT consultant assistance. The goal is to make walking and biking a safe, convenient, and accessible option for school travel.
