FY 2024 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program

Background
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the opportunity to apply for $216 million in competitive grants under the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program (FSRC) (Federal Assistance Listing #20.532). FSRC makes funding available competitively to assist in the financing of capital, planning, and operating assistance for eligible ferry services.

Grant Details
The Passenger Ferry Program provides funding to improve the condition and quality of existing passenger ferry services, support the establishment of new passenger ferry services, and repair and modernize ferry boats, terminals, and related facilities and equipment. The Low-No Ferry Program provides funding for projects that support the purchase of electric or low-emitting ferries and the electrification of or other reduction of emissions from existing ferries. The Rural Ferry Program provides funding for capital, operating, and planning expenses for ferry service to rural areas.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants for the Passenger Ferry Program are designated recipients of section 5307 funding, direct recipients of section 5307 funding, and public entities engaged in providing public transportation passenger ferry service in urban areas that are eligible to be direct recipients. Eligible applicants for the Low-No Ferry Program are any eligible recipient of section 5307 or section 5311 funding. Eligible applicants for the Rural Ferry Program are States and U.S. territories in which eligible service is operated.

Period of Performance
Applications due by 11:59 p.m. eastern time June 17, 2024. Funds are available for obligation for five years after the fiscal year in which the project selections are announced on FTA’s website.

Grant Value
$316 million total grant value with $51 million for Passenger Ferry Program, $49 million for Low-No Ferry Program, and $216 million for Rural Ferry Program.