Capital Investment Grants Program (CIG) - Small Starts

Federal Agency

Sub-Department

Federal Transit Administration (FTA)

Purpose

To fund major investments in new or extended fixed guideway public transit systems, including light rail, heavy rail, commuter rail, streetcar, and bus rapid transit (BRT) projects. This may include corridor-based BRT systems.

Applicant and/or Project Eligibility Requirements

Eligible applicants are state and local government agencies, including transit agencies. Eligible projects are those with a total estimated project cost of less than $400M.

Decarbonization Considerations

While this program will fund public transit projects generally, applicants should prioritize projects that will increase ridership, reduce the need for private vehicle use, decrease vehicle miles traveled, and be in coordination with regional transit-oriented development planning. When rail projects are not possible, communities should look to deploying extensive, well-connected bus rapid transit projects that can align with local, regional, and statewide vehicle electrification plans.

Equity Considerations

See the "Equity Design Considerations for Federal Funding" for general considerations and additional sector-based resources: https://cityrenewables.org/resources/equity-design-considerations-for-federal-funding/

Helpful Tips

See current projects here: https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grant-programs/capital-investments/current-capital-investment-grant-cig-projects

Other Notes

From FY22 to FY26, $4,600,000,000 are available for CIG per year for projects in three categories: New Starts, Small Starts, and Core Capacity. FTA is seeking comments to the proposed CIG Policy Guidance by June 4, 2024. See more details here: https://www.transit.dot.gov/funding/grants/grant-programs/capital-investments/proposed-capital-investment-grants-policy