Best Fentress County Grants for Nonprofits in Tennessee

About

Tennessee’s rural communities are the heart of the state’s economy, culture, and identity. The federal Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) presents Tennessee with a historic opportunity to improve healthcare access, quality, and outcomes in our rural communities for generations to come.

Tennessee’s RHTP plan is foundational building a locally-led model for how rural America can become healthy, vibrant, and self-sustaining, and bring Better Care, Closer to Home.

The Tennessee RHTP Plan proposes investment that reverses rural hospital decline, extends care access, modernizes technology, and strengthens local economies, while improving outcomes for mothers, children, and older adults.

The Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) released the first funding opportunity today of the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). This begins a roll-out of competitive grant programs to deliver long-term, sustainable improvements in Tennessee’s rural health systems.

County Health Council CARE Grants

Funds Community Health Improvement Plan priorities through County Health Councils.

Funding may be used for:

• Evidence-based prevention and chronic disease programs
• Behavioral health and substance use treatment
• Rural workforce recruitment and retention
• Training on emerging care technologies
• Telehealth and digital infrastructure improvements
• Innovative care delivery models

RHT funding will help Tennessee:

• Strengthen rural hospitals and prevent closures
• Expand access to maternal, behavioral, and chronic care services
• Improve workforce stability in underserved areas
• Modernize rural healthcare technology
• Support innovative care models that improve outcomes

The State Biomonitoring Cooperative Agreement aims to enhance public health laboratories' ability to conduct biomonitoring and assess human exposure to environmental chemicals. This funding opportunity emphasizes community investigations, state-level studies, and emerging chemicals not covered in the National Exposure Report. By improving laboratory capacity and fostering collaboration, the initiative seeks to identify harmful exposures and evaluate intervention effectiveness over a three-year period.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is collaborating with other NIH institutes to enhance rigor and replicability in biomedical and behavioral research. This initiative aims to support projects focused on assessing the impact of improved research practices, developing frameworks for study selection, and measuring the generalizability of findings. Currently, applications are not being solicited, allowing researchers time to prepare collaborative proposals.

The John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant supports the recovery and care of sick or injured marine mammals through federal assistance to the U.S. National Marine Mammal Stranding and Entanglement Response Networks. Eligible applicants must provide a Prescott Letter of Eligibility, confirming their participation in the network. This program aims to enhance marine mammal health monitoring and response capabilities across the country, ensuring timely and effective interventions for stranded marine life.

The BJA FY 2026 DNA Capacity Enhancement for Backlog Reduction (CEBR) Competitive Grants Program aims to enhance the capacity of state and local government crime laboratories for processing DNA samples. This program focuses on using DNA technology to improve forensic efficiency and implement Rapid DNA in booking stations. It targets jurisdictions with operational challenges, ensuring fair access to funding. Eligible agencies can apply for both competitive and formula CEBR funding.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) aims to enhance research on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) through intermediate patient population expanded access protocols. These protocols will provide investigational drugs to ALS patients while collecting vital data to inform future treatments and care strategies. This initiative seeks to better understand the disease's biomarkers, patient experiences, and the overall impact of investigational therapies, fostering advancements in ALS research and care.

American Cancer Society

The mission of the American Cancer Society is to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families through advocacy, research, and patient support, to ensure everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.

ACS Research Priority Areas

The American Cancer Society (ACS) has identified these 6 areas to categorize and track the research we fund to help advance our mission. Applicants (except Institutional Research Grants and Professor grants) are asked to select at least 1 of these research areas that aligns with their proposal:

• Etiology (causes of cancer)
• Obesity/Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL)
• Screening and Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Survivorship
• Health Equity Across the Cancer Continuum

Research Scholar Grants

Research Scholar Grants (RSG) provide support for independent, self-directed researchers.

Applicants' institutions must provide space and other resources customary for independent investigators.

Grant proposals are investigator-initiated and may pursue questions across the cancer research continuum, as long as they fit within an American Cancer Society (ACS) priority research area.

These grants typically contribute to the cost of salaries, consumable supplies, and other miscellaneous items required in the research. 

Research Scholar Grants are funded up to $215,000 per year (direct costs), plus 10% allowable indirect costs, with a project period up to four years.

Who We Are

Broad Street Children's Foundation is committed to providing financial support to privately funded children's homes caring for the orphaned, abandoned and broken children right here in the United States.

Grant Seekers

Broad Street Children's Foundation supports self-sustaining children's homes across the United States that actively foster the development of strong, well-rounded children in their care.

Since the start of the Foundation, over $1,000,000.00 in grants have been donated to children's homes across the country. Additionally, through the Bill and Jackie Hazelgrove Scholarship Program, we have been able to assist a number of young people to continue their education and work towards a college or vocational degree.

Today, the Broad Street Children's Foundation is continuing the dream of it's original founders through the second generation. Equally as dedicated to changing the lives of children in need across America and striving to break the cycle of abuse and neglect for other children and their families.

The Easement Restoration and Stewardship program, funded by the USDA NRCS, focuses on restoring and managing Wetland and Floodplain Easements. It includes developing restoration plans, conducting assessments, and implementing stewardship activities to enhance ecological health. Awardees will collaborate with NRCS personnel to ensure effective restoration design and maintenance strategies, fostering sustainable landscapes. This initiative addresses critical habitat conditions and promotes long-term environmental benefits for protected lands.

The Deployed Warfighter Protection FY27 program aims to safeguard military personnel from disease-carrying arthropods, including ticks and mosquitoes. It seeks innovative research to develop new insecticides, improve existing formulations, and enhance personal protection technologies. The initiative also focuses on effective pesticide application equipment, addressing both current and emerging arthropod threats. This program is crucial for maintaining the health and safety of deployed military forces.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is advancing Type 1 diabetes research by exploring the innate immune system's role in disease onset. This initiative aims to identify genetic and environmental factors contributing to Type 1 diabetes through multidisciplinary teams. By employing innovative methodologies, the program seeks to determine how immune responses affect pancreatic tissues, potentially leading to early detection and prevention strategies for at-risk individuals.

The Collaborative Centers in Children’s Environmental Health Research and Translation program aims to establish a national network of research centers focused on improving children's health through innovative research and public health strategies. By fostering collaboration within the children’s environmental health community, these centers will lead the way in translating scientific findings into actionable practices, ensuring a healthier future for children while addressing emerging environmental threats.

The Immune Drivers of Autoimmune Disease (IDAD) network, supported by NIAID, aims to uncover early triggers and mechanisms of autoimmunity to prevent disease. Key initiatives include developing predictive tools and biomarkers, fostering preclinical cohorts, and utilizing AI and big data. The network will leverage shared infrastructure for collaborative research, managed by the IDAD Network Coordinating Center, which ensures coordination and resource sharing among awardees. This initiative is crucial for advancing understanding and prevention of autoimmune diseases.

The NLM Grants for Scholarly Works in Biomedicine and Health (G13) program invites applications to support the creation of book-length manuscripts and scholarly works that are vital for U.S. health professionals and scientists. This initiative aims to foster critical reviews and analytical syntheses that enhance understanding of biomedical and public health challenges, ultimately contributing valuable resources for education, research, and clinical practice.

The LAST MILE program, initiated by the NIAID, aims to enhance the implementation and effectiveness of HIV prevention and treatment strategies through real-world effectiveness trials. By fostering collaborations and focusing on diverse populations, this initiative seeks to translate clinical findings into practical applications. The program supports research across various disciplines, aligning with the NIH's mission to improve HIV/AIDS outcomes and address associated comorbidities. This multifaceted approach promises to bridge the gap between clinical trials and community-based interventions.

The National Institute on Aging (NIA) is announcing a funding opportunity to support the Exceptional Longevity Data Management and Coordinating Center (EL DMCC). This initiative aims to enhance the management of large, diverse datasets and facilitate collaborative research across NIA projects. Core functions include data integration, AI/ML infrastructure development, and maintaining the ELITE Portal for secure data access. This NOFO encourages innovative approaches to longevity research, though applications are not currently being solicited.

About

What We Do

The Achieve Foundation promotes high-quality education that prepares South Orange-Maplewood School District students for the future.

We support our students, families and educators by addressing inequities, inspiring innovation and fostering community.

Riecke Professional Development Fellowship

About the Program

Achieve’s Michelle T. Riecke Fellowship funds summer professional development opportunities for faculty.

Fellowships are awarded to individuals (up to $3,000) and/or teaching teams (up to $5,000).

This year, Achieve awarded $9,111 to support four professional development programs for six teachers.

The Michelle T. Riecke Teaching Fellowship was established with the Achieve Foundation in 2004 in memory of former Board of Ed president Shelley Riecke, who passed away at age 39.

The Fellowship fosters outstanding teaching by enabling educators to undertake continuing education in their fields in the summer, and inspiring them to share the new knowledge they acquire with their District colleagues upon their return to school.

While fellowships are awarded for both subject-specific and broader educational interests, faculty are encouraged to look for programs that nurture their professional passion.

Tennessee Department of Health

Mission: Protect, promote, and improve the health and well-being of all people in Tennessee.

The Tennessee Department of Health's highly talented and dedicated professionals reflect a standard of performance in its effective and engaging public health efforts and collaborative commitment to providing compassionate service to people in all 95 counties of the state. TDH provides health care and wellness services daily to Tennesseans through a statewide network of 89 rural and six metropolitan county health departments at 117 physical locations.

Rural Healthcare Access Modernization Program (RAMP)

Description

The Rural Healthcare Access Modernization Program (RAMP) is intended to strengthen healthcare access in rural Tennessee by funding targeted capital improvements at rural hospitals and supporting the establishment or expansion of rural primary care practices. The opportunity seeks to increase service capacity, improve operational efficiency and quality of care, modernize healthcare facilities, and address critical provider shortages, particularly in pediatrics and obstetrics.

Funding is allocated to the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) to support three investment goals through RAMP.

Goal 1: Rural Capital Investment

Goal 2: Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) Competitive Grant Extension Subsidiary of Goal 1

Goal 3: Rural Primary Care Seed Grants

Rural Health Transformation Program Competitive Grant Extension

Support for eligible projects aligned with Rural Health Transformation priorities that require additional funding to continue or complete implementation.

This investment goal is intended to build upon and extend successful models emerging from Tennessee's Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP).

Through this approach, TennCare Shared Savings funding may provide additional support for high-quality projects that align with RHTP priorities and demonstrate the potential to improve healthcare access and outcomes in rural communities. This strategy helps maximize the impact of innovative projects and supports continued progress toward rural healthcare transformation goals..

About the Russell Sage Foundation

One of the oldest American foundations, the Russell Sage Foundation, was established by Mrs. Margaret Olivia Sage in 1907 for “the improvement of social and living conditions in the United States.” In its early years, the foundation undertook major projects in low-income housing, urban planning, social work, and labor reform. The foundation now dedicates itself to strengthening the methods, data, and theories of the social sciences to diagnose social problems and improve social policies. It also funds researchers at other institutions and supports programs intended to develop new generations of social scientists.

Margaret Olivia Sage (MOS) Grants

The Russell Sage Foundation (RSF) is launching a new competition, the Margaret Olivia Sage (MOS) Grants, to support research by multi- or inter-disciplinary teams on social, economic, and political challenges with generational consequences for social and living conditions in the United States. Such challenges are typically national in scope, involve both systemic and individual factors, and the questions they raise are as urgent for policymakers and communities as they are for researchers.

About

Founded in 1971, the Mensa Foundation was established by members of American Mensa to extend the organization’s impact. While connected by a shared purpose, the Foundation operates independently, guided by its own Board of Trustees, strategic plan, and initiatives.

Awards

Excellence in Research

The Mensa Foundation’s Awards for Excellence in Research recognize researchers who are building new knowledge in intelligence.

Presented annually, these awards honor exceptional work published in peer-reviewed journals or presented at professional conferences.

Details

A prestigious recognition in the field, the Awards for Excellence in Research celebrate innovative contributions that redefine how intelligence, giftedness, and related fields are studied and applied.

Award Components

Criteria for Entry

Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development

The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (TNECD) is the state agency that helps businesses large and small succeed in Tennessee. We recruit new businesses to the state, support the growth of existing businesses and market the state as a premier business destination.

In pursuit of sustainable job-creation and investment in Tennessee, TNECD works closely with public- and private-sector partners at the state, regional and local levels.

Tourism Enhancement Grant

Tourism is one of the largest industries and most important economic drivers in Tennessee. The purpose of this grant is to support Tourism Development projects by eligible grantees to allow for the creation or expansion of physical attractions, facilities, or events that are available and open to the public, that improve the appeal of the destinations to tourists, and that enhance tourist experiences that are primarily promoted to or used by tourists.

• Extra consideration will be given to innovative, cost-effective projects with robust partnerships. Projects must be completed within an approximate 12 -18-month timeframe. Additional requirements may apply for specific projects, depending on their nature. 

• Project must be completed on applicant-owned property, or property leased by the applicant from TVA or the US Army Corps of Engineers that has a remaining term of at least the useful life of the project.

• A few examples of projects funded previously include: stage and boat ramp improvements, seating, electrical, lighting and sound system upgrades for tourism venues and attractions, wayfinding signage to direct visitors to tourism attractions, enhancements to sports facilities that host large travel tournaments.

• You can propose multiple projects in multiple parts of the county as long as you do not request more than the maximum permitted grant amount.

• Match amount for a county is determined by tier level designation at the time of application submission. Please see the TN Jobs Tax Credit map for your designation. Tier 1: 50/50 match; Tier 2: 70/30 match; Tier 3: 90/10 match; Tier 4: 95/05 match .

Examples of Eligible Projects

• Stages such as music, theatre, etc. if used for tourism events
• Lighting/electrical for tourism-related public spaces
• Boat ramps with public access
• Historic preservation of tourism property or facility
• ADA compliancy resources for tourism assets
• Wayfinding signage (with proper approval from TDOT as needed) 

Tennessee Department of Transportation

The Department of Transportation provides citizens of Tennessee and travelers with one of the best transportation systems in the country. TDOT consistently wins awards for its projects, highway design and innovative approach to transportation.

TDOT is a multimodal agency with responsibilities in aviation, public transit, waterways, railroads and cycling and walking. Our involvement ranges from airport improvements to funding transit buses to planning for river ports.

Transportation Planning Grants

The Transportation Planning Grant (TPG) is intended to assist jurisdictions (both municipalities and counties) with transportation planning efforts that determine strategies to support improvements in traffic flow, safety, mobility, and overall efficiency of the transportation system. Since 2015, TDOT has awarded 145 planning grants across the state, many of which have resulted in implementation funding.

The TPG funds transportation plans only.

Goals of the Transportation Planning Grant

• Assist Tennessee communities with multimodal transportation planning
• Bridge the gap between land use planning and transportation planning
• Aid with the creation of planning documents that support improvements in traffic flow, safety, and overall efficiency of the transportation system
• Provide planning resources to achieve community visions that promote future economic growth

Matching

• The TPG is 80% federal, 10% state, and 10% local match
• Distressed and At-Risk Counties as determined by TNECD (and municipalities within) as of FY26 qualify for 0% local match

Planning Opportunities

Planning opportunities include, but are not limited to: Complete Streets Plans; Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plans; Transportation System Management and Operations (TSMO) Plans; Corridor Studies; Resurfacing Plans; Community Mobility Plans

We also welcome any creative and innovative transportation planning ideas.

Complete Streets Plans

A Complete Streets Plan identifies solutions to create a transportation network that considers all users. A complete street makes it easier and safer for people to walk, bike, and use public transportation, while also enhancing community aesthetics and supporting economic growth. Complete Streets Plans are developed with the specific community context in mind. See more here.

Administrative Process

Through the Transportation Planning Grant program, your community will be paired with a consultant currently under contract with TDOT that will guide you through the planning process and bring your plan to life. The community is responsible for actively participating in the plan by establishing a Steering Committee, providing the match, and ensuring local support for the proposed study recommendations.

Tennessee Department of Transportation

The Department of Transportation provides citizens of Tennessee and travelers with one of the best transportation systems in the country. TDOT consistently wins awards for its projects, highway design and innovative approach to transportation.

TDOT is a multimodal agency with responsibilities in aviation, public transit, waterways, railroads and cycling and walking. Our involvement ranges from airport improvements to funding transit buses to planning for river ports.

Transportation Planning Grants

The Transportation Planning Grant (TPG) is intended to assist jurisdictions (both municipalities and counties) with transportation planning efforts that determine strategies to support improvements in traffic flow, safety, mobility, and overall efficiency of the transportation system. Since 2015, TDOT has awarded 145 planning grants across the state, many of which have resulted in implementation funding.

The TPG funds transportation plans only.

Goals of the Transportation Planning Grant

• Assist Tennessee communities with multimodal transportation planning
• Bridge the gap between land use planning and transportation planning
• Aid with the creation of planning documents that support improvements in traffic flow, safety, and overall efficiency of the transportation system
• Provide planning resources to achieve community visions that promote future economic growth

Matching

• The TPG is 80% federal, 10% state, and 10% local match
• Distressed and At-Risk Counties as determined by TNECD (and municipalities within) as of FY26 qualify for 0% local match

Planning Opportunities

Planning opportunities include, but are not limited to: Complete Streets Plans; Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plans; Transportation System Management and Operations (TSMO) Plans; Corridor Studies; Resurfacing Plans; Community Mobility Plans

We also welcome any creative and innovative transportation planning ideas.

Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plans

A Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan can assist communities in prioritizing non-motorized transportation investments. As demand for alternative transportation options continue to grow, communities are increasingly recognizing the need for these facilities to help achieve their desirable quality of life. See more here.

Administrative Process

Through the Transportation Planning Grant program, your community will be paired with a consultant currently under contract with TDOT that will guide you through the planning process and bring your plan to life. The community is responsible for actively participating in the plan by establishing a Steering Committee, providing the match, and ensuring local support for the proposed study recommendations.

Tennessee Department of Transportation

The Department of Transportation provides citizens of Tennessee and travelers with one of the best transportation systems in the country. TDOT consistently wins awards for its projects, highway design and innovative approach to transportation.

TDOT is a multimodal agency with responsibilities in aviation, public transit, waterways, railroads and cycling and walking. Our involvement ranges from airport improvements to funding transit buses to planning for river ports.

Transportation Planning Grants

The Transportation Planning Grant (TPG) is intended to assist jurisdictions (both municipalities and counties) with transportation planning efforts that determine strategies to support improvements in traffic flow, safety, mobility, and overall efficiency of the transportation system. Since 2015, TDOT has awarded 145 planning grants across the state, many of which have resulted in implementation funding.

The TPG funds transportation plans only.

Goals of the Transportation Planning Grant

• Assist Tennessee communities with multimodal transportation planning
• Bridge the gap between land use planning and transportation planning
• Aid with the creation of planning documents that support improvements in traffic flow, safety, and overall efficiency of the transportation system
• Provide planning resources to achieve community visions that promote future economic growth

Matching

• The TPG is 80% federal, 10% state, and 10% local match
• Distressed and At-Risk Counties as determined by TNECD (and municipalities within) as of FY26 qualify for 0% local match

Planning Opportunities

Planning opportunities include, but are not limited to: Complete Streets Plans; Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plans; Transportation System Management and Operations (TSMO) Plans; Corridor Studies; Resurfacing Plans; Community Mobility Plans

We also welcome any creative and innovative transportation planning ideas.

Transportation System Management and Operations (TSMO) Plans

Transportation Systems Management & Operations (TSMO) provide a set of strategies and technologies used to optimize the performance of existing transportation infrastructure without adding more lanes. TSMO includes traffic signal retiming, traffic incident management, enhanced enforcement, ramp metering, and access management. See more here.

Administrative Process

Through the Transportation Planning Grant program, your community will be paired with a consultant currently under contract with TDOT that will guide you through the planning process and bring your plan to life. The community is responsible for actively participating in the plan by establishing a Steering Committee, providing the match, and ensuring local support for the proposed study recommendations.

Tennessee Department of Transportation

The Department of Transportation provides citizens of Tennessee and travelers with one of the best transportation systems in the country. TDOT consistently wins awards for its projects, highway design and innovative approach to transportation.

TDOT is a multimodal agency with responsibilities in aviation, public transit, waterways, railroads and cycling and walking. Our involvement ranges from airport improvements to funding transit buses to planning for river ports.

Transportation Planning Grants

The Transportation Planning Grant (TPG) is intended to assist jurisdictions (both municipalities and counties) with transportation planning efforts that determine strategies to support improvements in traffic flow, safety, mobility, and overall efficiency of the transportation system. Since 2015, TDOT has awarded 145 planning grants across the state, many of which have resulted in implementation funding.

The TPG funds transportation plans only.

Goals of the Transportation Planning Grant

• Assist Tennessee communities with multimodal transportation planning
• Bridge the gap between land use planning and transportation planning
• Aid with the creation of planning documents that support improvements in traffic flow, safety, and overall efficiency of the transportation system
• Provide planning resources to achieve community visions that promote future economic growth

Matching

• The TPG is 80% federal, 10% state, and 10% local match
• Distressed and At-Risk Counties as determined by TNECD (and municipalities within) as of FY26 qualify for 0% local match

Planning Opportunities

Planning opportunities include, but are not limited to: Complete Streets Plans; Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plans; Transportation System Management and Operations (TSMO) Plans; Corridor Studies; Resurfacing Plans; Community Mobility Plans

We also welcome any creative and innovative transportation planning ideas.

Corridor Studies

A Corridor Study examines the relationship between a roadway and its adjacent land. Corridor studies are often used to define levels of access and mobility, determine appropriate land uses, consolidate and control access points, identify operational breakdowns, promote efficiency, and encourage redevelopment of an underperforming corridor. See more here.

Administrative Process

Through the Transportation Planning Grant program, your community will be paired with a consultant currently under contract with TDOT that will guide you through the planning process and bring your plan to life. The community is responsible for actively participating in the plan by establishing a Steering Committee, providing the match, and ensuring local support for the proposed study recommendations.

Tennessee Department of Transportation

The Department of Transportation provides citizens of Tennessee and travelers with one of the best transportation systems in the country. TDOT consistently wins awards for its projects, highway design and innovative approach to transportation.

TDOT is a multimodal agency with responsibilities in aviation, public transit, waterways, railroads and cycling and walking. Our involvement ranges from airport improvements to funding transit buses to planning for river ports.

Transportation Planning Grants

The Transportation Planning Grant (TPG) is intended to assist jurisdictions (both municipalities and counties) with transportation planning efforts that determine strategies to support improvements in traffic flow, safety, mobility, and overall efficiency of the transportation system. Since 2015, TDOT has awarded 145 planning grants across the state, many of which have resulted in implementation funding.

The TPG funds transportation plans only.

Goals of the Transportation Planning Grant

• Assist Tennessee communities with multimodal transportation planning
• Bridge the gap between land use planning and transportation planning
• Aid with the creation of planning documents that support improvements in traffic flow, safety, and overall efficiency of the transportation system
• Provide planning resources to achieve community visions that promote future economic growth

Matching

• The TPG is 80% federal, 10% state, and 10% local match
• Distressed and At-Risk Counties as determined by TNECD (and municipalities within) as of FY26 qualify for 0% local match

Planning Opportunities

Planning opportunities include, but are not limited to: Complete Streets Plans; Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plans; Transportation System Management and Operations (TSMO) Plans; Corridor Studies; Resurfacing Plans; Community Mobility Plans

We also welcome any creative and innovative transportation planning ideas.

Resurfacing Plans

A Resurfacing Plan can provide communities with a data-driven approach to managing pavement-related activities. The goal of these plans is to support local road departments in maintaining the highest quality of pavement with their available funds. These plans will help support the selection of paving projects in a way that ensures the highest return on investment. See more here.

Administrative Process

Through the Transportation Planning Grant program, your community will be paired with a consultant currently under contract with TDOT that will guide you through the planning process and bring your plan to life. The community is responsible for actively participating in the plan by establishing a Steering Committee, providing the match, and ensuring local support for the proposed study recommendations.

Tennessee Department of Transportation

The Department of Transportation provides citizens of Tennessee and travelers with one of the best transportation systems in the country. TDOT consistently wins awards for its projects, highway design and innovative approach to transportation.

TDOT is a multimodal agency with responsibilities in aviation, public transit, waterways, railroads and cycling and walking. Our involvement ranges from airport improvements to funding transit buses to planning for river ports.

Transportation Planning Grants

The Transportation Planning Grant (TPG) is intended to assist jurisdictions (both municipalities and counties) with transportation planning efforts that determine strategies to support improvements in traffic flow, safety, mobility, and overall efficiency of the transportation system. Since 2015, TDOT has awarded 145 planning grants across the state, many of which have resulted in implementation funding.

The TPG funds transportation plans only.

Goals of the Transportation Planning Grant

• Assist Tennessee communities with multimodal transportation planning
• Bridge the gap between land use planning and transportation planning
• Aid with the creation of planning documents that support improvements in traffic flow, safety, and overall efficiency of the transportation system
• Provide planning resources to achieve community visions that promote future economic growth

Matching

• The TPG is 80% federal, 10% state, and 10% local match
• Distressed and At-Risk Counties as determined by TNECD (and municipalities within) as of FY26 qualify for 0% local match

Planning Opportunities

Planning opportunities include, but are not limited to: Complete Streets Plans; Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plans; Transportation System Management and Operations (TSMO) Plans; Corridor Studies; Resurfacing Plans; Community Mobility Plans

We also welcome any creative and innovative transportation planning ideas.

Community Mobility Plans

A Community Mobility Plan is a multimodal plan that identifies the existing and future transportation system, including roadways, public transportation, rail, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities. A Community Mobility Plan strengthens the connections between an area’s transportation plan, local land use plans, and community vision. See more here.

Administrative Process

Through the Transportation Planning Grant program, your community will be paired with a consultant currently under contract with TDOT that will guide you through the planning process and bring your plan to life. The community is responsible for actively participating in the plan by establishing a Steering Committee, providing the match, and ensuring local support for the proposed study recommendations.