Multimodal Planning Grant Program

The Integrated Mobility Division (IMD) of the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), in collaboration with the Transportation Planning Division (TPD), administers the Multimodal Planning Grant Program (MMPG), a recurring annual initiative established in 2004 to encourage North Carolina communities to develop comprehensive bicycle and pedestrian transportation plans. Originally launched through a combination of state allocations and federally earmarked funds, the program supports the development of locally tailored multimodal transportation systems that emphasize walkability, bikeability, and integration with public transit. Since inception, it has awarded 287 planning grants totaling over $9.7 million to 278 municipalities, 6 counties, and 3 universities. These funds have facilitated the creation of transportation plans aligned with smart growth strategies and have helped local governments prioritize projects for state and regional funding consideration. The program supports three primary types of planning studies: Multimodal Network Plans, Bicycle or Pedestrian Network Plans (or updates), and Project Acceleration Plans. Multimodal Network Plans are the most comprehensive option and include evaluation of bicycle, pedestrian, and transit connectivity. They are suitable for municipalities with existing transit service and are intended to precede any narrower planning initiatives. Bicycle or Pedestrian Network Plans help communities develop standalone or combined visions for non-motorized transport and update previous plans that are at least five years old. Project Acceleration Plans are designed for municipalities with populations under 10,000 and focus on identifying a short list of implementable projects using an expedited planning process. Eligible applicants include all North Carolina municipalities, counties with populations under 100,000, and as of the 2025 cycle, colleges and universities. Smaller municipalities (under 10,000 population) are eligible for joint or standalone pedestrian/bicycle plans and project acceleration studies. Counties may apply on behalf of smaller communities within their jurisdiction, and applicants must reapply each year as prior submissions are not carried over. MPOs and RPOs may not apply directly but are expected to provide resolutions of support. All applications and documentation must be submitted via the NCDOT EBS Portal, with prerequisite registration steps required for new users. Funding is awarded through a competitive review process that considers both the technical merits of applications and the goal of achieving geographic distribution across North Carolina. Selected municipalities will receive grant funding for the development of one of the eligible plan types, with final products expected to include a prioritized list of infrastructure improvements, network maps, and planning-level cost estimates for top projects. These plans are valuable tools for advancing projects through the NCDOT Strategic Prioritization (STI) process or securing other sources of funding such as STBG-DA, CMAQ, or local bonds and referenda. For the 2026 cycle, the call for applications was issued on February 16, 2026, and the submission deadline is April 13, 2026, at 5:00 PM ET. Applications must be submitted online through the EBS Portal. The review and award process includes recommendation by the Awards Committee in April, approval by the NCDOT Board of Transportation in May, and award notifications in June. Grant agreements are expected to be executed between July and October, with notices to proceed issued between December 2026 and January 2027. The standard plan completion timeline is 12 months from notice to proceed. Applicants with questions or those representing colleges and universities are advised to contact Program Manager Bryan Lopez at [email protected] prior to submitting. Full program guidelines and the official PDF overview are available for download on the NCDOT Connect website. Plans funded under this program position communities to align with NCDOT's Complete Streets policy, which mandates the inclusion of multimodal facilities in all appropriate state transportation projects.