FY 2026 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program

The Electric or Low-Emitting Ferry Pilot Program is administered by the Federal Transit Administration, an operating administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation responsible for supporting public transportation systems across the United States. This competitive grant program is part of a broader federal effort to modernize transit infrastructure, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote sustainable transportation solutions. The program specifically targets ferry systems, which are critical components of transportation networks in many coastal, riverine, and island communities. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the transition to electric or low-emission ferry vessels and associated infrastructure. By providing financial assistance for capital projects, the program aims to accelerate the adoption of cleaner technologies in maritime transit. Eligible uses of funds include the acquisition of electric or low-emitting passenger ferry vessels as well as the development or improvement of related infrastructure such as charging systems, fueling stations, and maintenance facilities necessary to support these vessels. The total funding available for this program is approximately 98 million dollars, with an anticipated five awards to be distributed competitively. While specific minimum and maximum award amounts are not explicitly defined in the summary information, applicants are expected to propose projects aligned with the scale and scope of available funding. A cost-sharing or matching requirement applies, indicating that applicants must contribute a portion of project costs from non-federal sources in accordance with federal transit funding requirements. Eligibility for this program is limited to entities that qualify under federal transit statutes. This includes recipients of urbanized area formula funding under 49 U.S.C. 5307 and rural area formula funding under 49 U.S.C. 5311, provided they operate public ferry systems. Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, and federally recognized tribal governments. Both urban and rural ferry operators are included, provided they meet the statutory eligibility criteria and operate public transportation ferry services. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Grants.gov system using the designated funding opportunity number. Paper submissions, including those sent by mail or fax, are not accepted. Applicants must complete all required forms and provide supporting documentation as specified in the full Notice of Funding Opportunity. While the summary does not enumerate all required components, typical submissions include project narratives, budget justifications, and documentation demonstrating eligibility and project readiness. The application deadline for this funding opportunity is May 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. There are no pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers specified in the available materials. Following submission, applications will be evaluated competitively based on criteria outlined in the full announcement, which may include project merit, environmental benefits, technical feasibility, and alignment with federal priorities. Award announcements are expected after the review process is completed, though a specific notification timeline is not provided in the summary. For additional information or assistance with accessing the full announcement, applicants may contact Matt Lange of the FTA Office of Program Management via email or phone. The program is part of a recurring federal funding initiative supporting ferry systems, though the specific recurrence schedule is not explicitly stated. Applicants are encouraged to review the full Notice of Funding Opportunity for detailed requirements, evaluation criteria, and compliance obligations prior to submission.