Opportunity Information: Apply for FTA 2017 001 TRI
The Zero Emission Research Opportunity (ZERO) is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration (FTA), focused on speeding up the advancement, production, and real-world deployment of zero-emission public transit vehicle technologies and the infrastructure needed to support them. Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), FTA made $2.75 million available in total for fiscal year 2017, with the intention of selecting multiple awardees to help move promising innovations out of research and into practical use by transit systems. The funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement, which typically means FTA expects to have substantial involvement in the work as it is carried out, rather than providing a hands-off grant.
A central feature of this solicitation is that it is designed not only to fund projects immediately, but also to set the stage for possible additional funding in later years. Specifically, FTA stated that, subject to future Congressional appropriations and FTA approval, organizations selected under this FY2017 competition could be eligible for future ZERO funding in FY2017 through FY2020 without further competition. In practical terms, this NOFO functions as a gateway: only the nonprofit consortia selected under the FY2017 notice would be eligible for those potential future opportunities during that period, giving the selected groups a significant strategic advantage if the program continued to receive appropriations.
FTA planned to select up to three nonprofit consortia and enter into cooperative agreements with them. These consortia were expected to build on prior research, innovation, and development efforts and to help facilitate deployment of zero-emission buses or other transit vehicles, along with associated advanced technologies and supporting infrastructure. While the lead entities were to be nonprofit consortia, the program was structured to encourage broad collaboration. Potential research and deployment partners could include transit agencies, other nonprofit organizations, vendors, suppliers, and systems integrators, and the NOFO explicitly allowed those partners to work with more than one consortium. This structure suggests FTA was aiming for a networked approach where consortia could act as hubs coordinating research, demonstrations, standards development, best practices, and deployment support across multiple stakeholders.
The cost-sharing requirement is also a key condition. The federal share for a project carried out under ZERO could not exceed 80 percent, meaning applicants needed to provide at least a 20 percent non-federal match. That match could come from eligible non-federal sources depending on the detailed rules in the full announcement, but the headline point is that applicants had to show real skin in the game and the ability to bring additional resources alongside federal dollars.
Eligibility was broad in the sense that many public and educational entities could apply or participate, including state governments, county governments, cities or townships, special district governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments, private institutions of higher education, and other applicants as clarified in the full eligibility language. Even with this broad eligibility list, the NOFO emphasized that FTA intended to fund nonprofit consortia as the primary award recipients, so many otherwise-eligible entities would likely participate as members or partners rather than as the lead applicant.
Administratively, the opportunity was listed under Grants.gov as FTA-2017-001-TRI and referenced in the Federal Register as FTA-2016-009-TRI-ZERO. It falls under the transportation funding activity category and is associated with CFDA number 20.514. The NOFO was posted on November 28, 2016, and required proposals to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by midnight Eastern Time on February 21, 2017. FTA expected to make up to three awards, consistent with the plan to select up to three consortia, with the total funding ceiling for the announcement set at $2,750,000.Apply for FTA 2017 001 TRI
- The Department of Transportation, DOT/Federal Transit Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Zero Emission Research Opportunity (ZERO)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.514.
- This funding opportunity was created on Nov 28, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Feb 21, 2017. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,750,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Private institutions of higher education, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Zero Emission Research Opportunity (ZERO) - FAQs
What is the Zero Emission Research Opportunity (ZERO)?
The Zero Emission Research Opportunity (ZERO) is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA). It is focused on accelerating the advancement, production, and real-world deployment of zero-emission public transit vehicle technologies and the infrastructure needed to support those vehicles.
What is the main goal of this funding opportunity?
The stated goal is to help move promising innovations out of research and into practical use by transit systems, including deployment support for zero-emission buses or other transit vehicles, along with associated advanced technologies and supporting infrastructure.
How much funding was made available under this NOFO?
FTA made a total of $2.75 million available under this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for fiscal year (FY) 2017.
How many awards did FTA expect to make?
FTA expected to make up to three awards and planned to select up to three nonprofit consortia to enter into cooperative agreements.
Who did FTA intend to fund as the primary award recipients?
FTA intended to fund nonprofit consortia as the primary award recipients under this solicitation.
What types of organizations could apply or participate?
The eligibility description is broad and includes state governments, county governments, cities or townships, special district governments, public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, federally recognized tribal governments, private institutions of higher education, and other applicants as clarified in the full eligibility language. However, the NOFO emphasized that FTA intended to select nonprofit consortia as the lead recipients, so many otherwise-eligible entities would likely participate as members or partners rather than as the lead applicant.
What is meant by "nonprofit consortium" in this NOFO?
Based on the NOFO description, a nonprofit consortium is the lead entity structure FTA planned to select. These consortia were expected to build on prior research, innovation, and development efforts and to help facilitate the deployment of zero-emission transit vehicles and related technologies and infrastructure through coordinated collaboration.
What funding mechanism did FTA use for ZERO awards?
The funding mechanism is a cooperative agreement. This typically means FTA expects to have substantial involvement in the work as it is carried out, rather than providing a hands-off grant.
What does "substantial involvement" by FTA imply for awardees?
The NOFO indicates that because the mechanism is a cooperative agreement, FTA would not be purely hands-off. Instead, FTA would expect to be substantially involved during project execution as the work is carried out.
Is there a cost-sharing or matching requirement?
Yes. The federal share of a project under ZERO could not exceed 80 percent. Applicants therefore needed to provide at least a 20 percent non-federal match.
How much of the project cost can be covered by federal funds?
Federal funding can cover up to 80 percent of project costs under this opportunity, as described in the NOFO summary.
Do applicants need to demonstrate non-federal resources?
Yes. Because the federal share cannot exceed 80 percent, applicants must show the ability to provide at least a 20 percent non-federal match and bring additional resources alongside federal dollars.
What kinds of activities or outcomes were the selected consortia expected to support?
The selected consortia were expected to build on prior research and development and facilitate real-world deployment of zero-emission buses or other transit vehicles, including associated advanced technologies and the supporting infrastructure needed to operate them.
Does the NOFO encourage collaboration with other organizations?
Yes. While nonprofit consortia were expected to be the lead recipients, the program was structured to encourage broad collaboration and a networked approach across multiple stakeholders.
Who can be a partner to a consortium?
Potential research and deployment partners could include transit agencies, other nonprofit organizations, vendors, suppliers, and systems integrators.
Can a partner work with more than one consortium?
Yes. The NOFO explicitly allowed partners to work with more than one consortium.
What was the strategic purpose of selecting consortia under the FY2017 competition?
This FY2017 NOFO was designed to fund projects immediately and also to set the stage for possible additional funding in later years. In effect, the NOFO functioned as a gateway for potential future funding during a defined period.
Could FY2017 selected organizations be eligible for future funding without competing again?
Yes, potentially. FTA stated that, subject to future Congressional appropriations and FTA approval, organizations selected under this FY2017 competition could be eligible for future ZERO funding in FY2017 through FY2020 without further competition.
Is future funding guaranteed for selected consortia?
No. The NOFO described future eligibility as conditional on future Congressional appropriations and FTA approval, meaning it was not guaranteed.
Why is this NOFO described as a "gateway"?
Because only the nonprofit consortia selected under the FY2017 notice would be eligible for potential future ZERO opportunities during FY2017 through FY2020 (subject to appropriations and approval). That structure could provide selected groups a significant strategic advantage if the program continued to receive appropriations.
Where was the opportunity listed and what are the identifiers?
The opportunity was listed on Grants.gov as FTA-2017-001-TRI and referenced in the Federal Register as FTA-2016-009-TRI-ZERO.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 20.514.
What funding activity category does this opportunity fall under?
It falls under the transportation funding activity category.
When was the NOFO posted?
The NOFO was posted on November 28, 2016.
What was the application deadline?
Proposals were required to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by midnight Eastern Time on February 21, 2017.
How were proposals required to be submitted?
Proposals had to be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by the stated deadline.
What was the total funding ceiling for the announcement?
The total funding ceiling for the announcement was $2,750,000.
Was FTA planning to select a single awardee or multiple awardees?
FTA intended to select multiple awardees, specifically up to three nonprofit consortia, consistent with the plan to make up to three awards.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Transportation
Next opportunity: NIJ FY17 Research and Evaluation on Trafficking in Persons
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for FTA 2017 001 TRI
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (FTA 2017 001 TRI) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| Demonstration Project Promoting Highway Safety Program Guideline (HSPG) No. 13 Apply for DTNH2217R00009 Funding Number: DTNH2217R00009 Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT/National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Bus Shuttle Service Apply for NPSNOIBAND1700081 Funding Number: NPSNOIBAND1700081 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Transportation Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Bus Shuttle Service Apply for NPSNOIBAND1700082 Funding Number: NPSNOIBAND1700082 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Transportation Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Notice of Funding Availability for Small Business Transportation Resource Center Apply for DOT OST 2016 0236 Funding Number: DOT OST 2016 0236 Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT/Office of Small Disadvantaged Utilization Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $175,000 |
| 2017 PHMSA SPST Grant Apply for HM SPS 17 001 Funding Number: HM SPS 17 001 Agency: Department of Transportation, PHMSA Hazmat Grants Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| 2017 PHMSA HMIT Grant Apply for HM HMI 17 001 Funding Number: HM HMI 17 001 Agency: Department of Transportation, PHMSA Hazmat Grants Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
| FY17 Supplemental for National Network Grant to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) Apply for FR AMT 17 005 Funding Number: FR AMT 17 005 Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT/Federal Railroad Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $440,075,510 |
| Tribal Transit Program 2017 Apply for FTA 2017 002 TPM Funding Number: FTA 2017 002 TPM Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT/Federal Transit Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $5,000,000 |
| University Centers for Career Development (UCCD) Apply for RFA 263 17 000001 Funding Number: RFA 263 17 000001 Agency: Agency for International Development, Egypt USAID-Cairo Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $20,000,000 |
| AASHTO's Operation and Mgmt of the V2I DC Apply for 693JJ317NF0002 Funding Number: 693JJ317NF0002 Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT Federal Highway Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $2,750,000 |
| FY17 Supplemental for State-Amtrak Intercity Passenger Rail Committee Apply for FR RLD 17 002 Funding Number: FR RLD 17 002 Agency: Federal Transport Administration, DOT/Federal Railroad Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $1,150,800 |
| Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Initiative Apply for 693JJ317NF0001 Funding Number: 693JJ317NF0001 Agency: Federal Transport Administration, DOT Federal Highway Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $12,000,000 |
| Surface Transportation System Funding Alternative Apply for 693JJ317NF0006 Funding Number: 693JJ317NF0006 Agency: Federal Transport Administration, DOT Federal Highway Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $20,000,000 |
| Small Business Transportation Resource Center-NE Region Apply for USDOT OST OSDBU SBTRCNE2017 1 Funding Number: USDOT OST OSDBU SBTRCNE2017 1 Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT/Office of Small Disadvantaged Utilization Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $224,000 |
| FY 2017 ALERT Funding Opportunity Apply for HM ALT 17 001 Funding Number: HM ALT 17 001 Agency: Department of Transportation, PHMSA Hazmat Grants Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $2,100,000 |
| Commercial Driver's License Program Implementation Apply for FM CDL 17 001 Funding Number: FM CDL 17 001 Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT/Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY17 Gulf Coast High Speed Rail Corridor-Mobile Station Area Planning Study & Final Design Project Apply for FR RRD 17 003 Funding Number: FR RRD 17 003 Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT/Federal Railroad Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| Transportation Disruption and Disaster Statistics (TDADS) Apply for BTS 2017 01 Funding Number: BTS 2017 01 Agency: Department of Transportation Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $700,000 |
| Small Project Transportation Maintenance and Improvements Grants Apply for DC TP 17 002 Funding Number: DC TP 17 002 Agency: Denali Commission Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $200,000 |
| FY2017 Supplemental for Northeast Corridor Grant to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) Apply for FR AMT 17 008 Funding Number: FR AMT 17 008 Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT/Federal Railroad Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $189,694,095 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "FTA 2017 001 TRI", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.