Frequently Asked Questions

This page provides responses to frequently asked questions about the 2024 Rural Community Innovations: Transportation Planning Grant. Review questions and answers about grant application processes, eligibility criteria, objectives and more. We will update this FAQ page with common questions as we receive them.

How do I apply?

All applications must be submitted through the SM Apply application portal by Friday, June 7, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. ET (8:59 p.m. PT). All applications must be completed through the online portal; no emailed or mailed applications will be accepted. Applications must be done by an individual in your agency.

What if I am having technical difficulties with the login or the online application?

We have developed step-by-step instructions to reference on how to use the SM Apply system. A video was also developed to guide you through the SM Apply system. You are always welcome to email nadtcgrant@nadtc.org or contact NADTC staff at 866-983-3222 with any questions.

My organization has previously received an NADTC grant. Are we eligible to apply?

Applicants will not be eligible if they were recipients of the NADTC 2021 Planning and 2022 Implementation Grants. If you received funding prior to 2021, you are eligible to apply.

My organization applied and did not receive an NADTC grant previously. Are we eligible to apply again?

Yes. You are eligible to apply again. Please review the eligibility requirements provided in the Request for Proposal (RFP) to help inform your application.

I work for a Community Action Agency and we don’t consider ourselves just an aging or disability organization, can we still apply?

If your non-profit or government organization serves older adults or people with disabilities, or is involved in providing public transportation, you are eligible to apply.

How do I know if my community is considered rural?

We are using FTAs definition of rural, defined as a non-urbanized area with population of less than 50,000. A regional organization located outside of rural area can be the applicant for these grant funds if the project will focus on an eligible rural area. You will have the opportunity to define the area you are going to focus on when you complete the application. See the RFP, pg. 10, Section 4B.1, Question 6.

Could we be considered rural even if my agency’s zip code is categorized as a suburban/non-rural jurisdiction?

This planning grant is focused on rural and tribal communities. Understanding there are a number of different definitions of rural, we are using FTA’s definition of rural as a non-urbanized area with population of less than 50,000. If you feel that your community meets this criteria, you will have an opportunity to describe the region in Question 6 of the application. Please reach out to us at nadtcgrant@nadtc.org if you have additional questions about your community’s eligibility.

Can the application cover a region, if the total population for multiple communities/locations remains under 50,000?

Yes, the project is eligible if the total population of multiple communities/regions remains under 50,000.

Do you use Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) to determine the definition of rural?

We are using FTA’s definition of rural as a non-urbanized area with population of less than 50,000.

What advice do you have when creating a workplan?

You can consult the Wokplan Tips document for assistance when developing your workplan. You can also review the grant requirements and deliverables to be sure all areas are addressed.

Do the planning activities have to physically take place in the area we plan to serve?

Yes, planning activities must take place in the communities you plan to serve.

What is the target population?

And applicant’s project must focus on both older adults and people with disabilities, including younger adults, residing in the targeted rural community. See page 11 of the RFP.

What can the funds be used for?

The grant funds can only be used for planning activities including expenses related to community engagement. You cannot purchase vehicles or pay for rides with this grant.  Look at the Sample Budget to see the budget categories and a description of each of categories.

Can we use the funding to pay for a consultant? Do we need to use a competitive bidding process to select the consultant?

You can use a consult but you will need to provide a detailed plan of what the consultant will be doing and their name (if able) in question 5, Demonstration of Capacity. We do not require a competitive bidding process. It is up to your agency to choose an appropriate consultant as we cannot make consultant recommendations for your application.

Is there an allowable percentage or max percentage for indirect costs?

Indirect costs may be included in the budget but details regarding how indirect costs are calculated, including a copy of the organization’s approved Indirect Rate, will be required of selected grantees.

Can you include the salary/hourly rate for a staff member to manage the grant project?

Yes. You are encouraged to allocate adequate funds to complete all the grant requirements which include carrying out planned activities, reporting, attending meetings, fiscal administration, etc. A detailed explanation is needed for how you calculated the amount. Back-up will be required for all staff costs for chosen grantees.

Regarding the required travel to Washington DC, how long will the training be and can the cost of the trip be included in the grant budget?

The DC training will be two days. Cost for this trip can be incorporated into the budget and the project funds can be used to support this travel (flights, hotels, etc.) Please see the RFP, page 15 for more detail

Does the applicant need to receive Section 5310 funding to be eligible? We provide transportation under 5311 funds.

No, the applicant does not need to receive Section 5310 funding to be eligible for this grant opportunity. However, if the applicant is not the 5310 provider in the community, a letter of commitment should be included from that entity indicating willingness to participate in the project.

How do I know if my organization receives Section 5310 funding?

You can check with your State Department of Transportation to find out who receives 5310 in your community. Read more about Section 5310 funding.

Is this grant able to be used as match funding for 5310 funded programs?

No, the NADTC funds are not able to be used as match for 5310.

We already have a Coordinated Transportation Plan for our county and we have been 5310 recipients for several years. We have already engaged in some planning efforts; Do you feel our agency would be considered?

We will consider all applications that demonstrate the need for inclusive transportation planning in your community. You will also have the opportunity to explain the current involvement in the coordinated transit-human services transportation planning process and/or other local or regional transportation planning experience.

I am a for-profit transportation provider.  I know I cannot apply but I could be a good committed partner for this project.  How do I find eligible transportation providers in my community?

You can enter your zip code on the NCMM Community Transportation Database to find transportation providers in the area.

Can we apply with for a project in a community that has existing data around current transportation gaps, and the plan we have created to fill those gaps?

In the application, you will be asked to supply any existing data currently available, including examples of numerical and descriptive data that quantifies or approximates current need. However, the intent of the grant is to develop a written plan of action, not implement solutions.

Will there be an Implementation Grant opportunity for people who completed the planning grant?

Should sufficient funds be available from FTA to support NADTC Community Grants in FY 2025, grantees will have the opportunity to receive implementation funding.

Who would be good partner agencies to have for this grant?

• This grant program encourages partnerships among transportation, aging and disability organizations, and other key stakeholders with an interest in improving community transportation accessibility and equity, such as healthcare, housing, employment programs, local employers and educational institutions.
• The agency who receives 5310 funds is highly recommended as a partner. If the applicant is not the 5310 provider in the community, a letter of commitment should be included from that entity indicating willingness to participate in the project. If this letter cannot be obtained, the reason why should be stated in response to Narrative Question 5.

What are the scoring criteria?

Eligible projects will be assessed on the following (this information is available on page 7, Section 3B of the RFP.)

Applications that meet minimum requirements will be reviewed and assessed by a review committee. They will then be rated on the basis of Highly Recommended (HR), Recommended (R), and Not Recommended (NR) in the following areas:

• Community Need
• Planning Process
• Anticipated Outcomes
• Demonstration of Capacity
• Workplan

The review committee will follow these guidelines:

• Highly Recommended (HR) applications provide thorough and detailed responses to questions and offer evidence to support the likely success of the proposed project. HR applications stand out among other submissions due to their clarity, feasibility, and potential for meaningful outcomes.
• Recommended (R) applications show several major strengths, provide evidence of probable success in achieving goals, objectives, and requirements of the grant program.
• Applications rated as Not Recommended (NR) do not respond fully to all questions, leave out key information and show few strengths. An NR rating indicates significant shortcomings or weaknesses in the application, such as lack of clarity, feasibility issues, or insufficient alignment with the grant’s priorities.

Do you have examples of previous successful applications?

We do not have applications that you can view, but you can take a look at previously awarded grants on our awarded grants website page. The projects that are the most similar to this current opportunity would be the 2021 Equity and Accessibility Planning Grants, the second paragraph summary on the linked page.

What is meant by “geographic diversity” as a criteria for consideration for funding?

We will be selecting projects that are located in a variety of states and regions across the country.

When will applicants be notified that they have received a grant award?

The review and selection process can take considerable time. NADTC will follow an extensive review process that consists of internal eligibility confirmation, a panel of independent reviewers, and obtaining approval from the Federal Transit Administration. It is possible that the project selection may take several months, though we are committed to selecting projects and entering into agreements as expeditiously as possible. All applicants will receive notice of their application status when selections are made.

What is the anticipated start date for projects?

We are unable to provide a firm start date, but we anticipate the grant projects will start in the fall. When the review and selection process has been completed and FTA approval has been received, NADTC will notify all applicants using the contact information provided in your application. Awarded grantees will then begin the process of entering into a funding agreement contract with NADTC. After all contracts are finalized, grant work can commence.  NADTC will communicate a more specific timeline and an anticipated start date of the grant project when applicants receive a notification of grant award.

What is the duration of the grant?

Approximately 9 months will be given to complete this planning grant.

Is there a minimum and maximum amount of funds I can apply for?

Applicants can apply for up to $35,000 of funding.

What is the total amount of grant funds you will be awarding?

We expect to award up to $420,000.

When will grant funding be distributed? Can I use the funds to pay for planning activities done prior to award selection?

This grant program will operate on a reimbursement basis, meaning agencies must spend the money as designated in their approved budget and submit a monthly report to request reimbursement. NADTC grant managers will work closely with selected recipients to ensure that the correct narrative and financial reporting process is followed. Funds cannot be used to cover work done prior to the grant start date.

Can we talk to someone at NADTC to see if what we are thinking fits with what you are looking for?

Yes, use the nadtcgrant@nadtc.org email to connect with someone if you have specific questions. We cannot do a review of a draft application. An Interested Applicant webinar was held May 9. The webinar recording is now available. Powerpoint slides are also available for viewing.

I don’t see the answer to my question here. Who can I contact?

If the information you seek is not covered by these FAQs, please email us at nadtcgrant@nadtc.org or contact NADTC staff at 866-983-3222.