Best Transportation Grants in Puerto Rico

The FY26 Bus Safety, Accessibility, and Innovation Notice of Funding Opportunity offers up to $10 million for innovative projects aimed at enhancing bus safety and accessibility. Administered by the Federal Transit Administration, this competitive grant invites applications for the development of concepts that improve safety for operators and vulnerable road users, ensuring that public transportation is safer and more accessible for all passengers.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is offering approximately $589 million in competitive grants through the Low or No Emission Grant Program. These funds support the purchase or lease of low-emission and zero-emission transit buses, along with the construction and leasing of necessary facilities. This initiative aims to enhance sustainable public transportation solutions. Further details and the full announcement will be available on Grants.gov under opportunity FTA-2026-011-TPM-LWNO.

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is offering $610 million in competitive grants through the Fiscal Year 2026 Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program. This funding aims to support capital projects related to buses and bus facilities, including the replacement, rehabilitation, and purchase of buses and equipment, as well as the construction or leasing of bus-related facilities, encouraging advancements in public transit infrastructure.

Public entities and transportation project sponsors in Puerto Rico developing or expanding marine highway transportation can apply for US Department of Transportation Maritime Administration grants, with awards up to US $12,000,000. Funding supports projects that shift freight or passengers from congested landside routes to designated marine highway routes and promote marine transportation use.

Puerto Rico universities and law schools focused on transportation and AI can access funding through 69A355 Research and Technology to develop interdisciplinary training on emerging transportation technologies. Support covers a one-week staff training, a one-hour executive briefing for policymakers, and a semester-long law school course, with awards up to US $600,000.

State and local governments, Tribal governments, transit agencies, port authorities, and similar public sponsors in Puerto Rico can seek funding for major surface transportation infrastructure projects through the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program. Administered by the US Department of Transportation, these competitive grants offer up to US $25,000,000 for multi-modal projects with significant local or regional impact.

Local governments and community-based nonprofits in Puerto Rico working with cities of 50,000–500,000 residents can seek funding to plan and deliver temporary street safety pilot projects that reconnect neighborhoods. Smart Growth America’s Community Connectors program offers up to US $25,000 plus training for joint teams prioritizing low-income, historically disinvested communities affected by dangerous arterial roads.

Nonprofits, government entities, and select other organizations in Puerto Rico can seek up to US $25,000 for projects that enhance transportation, mobility, and livable communities for residents 50 and older. Grants from AARP Foundation support walkability, bikeability, transit access, and related public space, housing, digital connection, and community resilience improvements.

Individuals receiving cancer-related behavioral health treatment in the U.S. who need help with transportation and related behavioral health costs may be eligible for this fund. Healthwell Foundation supports prescription copays, counseling, psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and travel expenses, which may benefit Puerto Rico patients using public or medical transportation to access care.

Puerto Rico emergency and medical workers seeking help with transportation-related costs and other behavioral health expenses can access funding through the HealthWell Foundation. Eligible individuals treated in the U.S. with qualifying insurance may receive up to US $2,000 toward prescription copays, counseling, psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and transportation for behavioral health care.

Elderly professional blues musicians needing help with transportation, medical care, or basic living expenses can receive emergency financial assistance, with payments made directly to creditors. Pinetop Perkins Foundation provides support across the U.S.; Puerto Rico artists facing health-related or transportation hardships may be eligible for this US $500 assistance through the Pinetop Assistance League.

Nonprofit organizations improving transportation and related services for people living with paralysis can seek up to US $40,000 from the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation. Focused on rural, low-income, and unserved communities, funded projects may include accessible transit, assistive technology, telehealth, or other mobility supports that could benefit Puerto Rico transportation initiatives.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations, academic institutions, and government entities can seek funding to install historic transportation markers recognizing pre-1945 canals, bridges, tunnels, railroads, or aircraft across the U.S., including Puerto Rico. With a mission to commemorate early transportation, William G Pomeroy Foundation provides support for publicly accessible, well-documented historic sites and structures.

Nonprofit organizations working on mobility, public transportation, environmental conservation, or community safety can apply for funding to support programs in Puerto Rico and across the U.S. Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund provides US $5,000 - US $10,000 grants for initiatives that improve transportation access, promote biodiversity, enhance education, and build healthier, safer communities.

Students majoring in transportation technology with financial need, strong academics, and leadership experience can receive support for higher education, including those from Puerto Rico. Grants from Austin Community Foundation help transportation-focused students continue their studies with a single US $3,000 award through the Eugene Frank Sommerlatte Endowment Fund.

Organizations planning community-focused transportation or transit-related events in Puerto Rico can apply for Tyson Foods sponsorships to support highly visible projects. Funding may benefit programs tied to public transportation and broader community services, as long as proposals clearly state community benefits, event visibility, and how support advances the organization’s primary mission.

Transportation research institutions and policy organizations in Puerto Rico can seek funding to study and improve U.S. transportation systems, including roads and public transit. Focused on transportation policy and infrastructure delivery, Arnold Ventures supports projects such as policy analysis, data development, and implementation research, with awards up to US $200,000 for work benefiting communities nationwide.

Transportation agencies and local governments seeking funding for road safety planning and demonstration projects in Puerto Rico can apply to the Safe Streets and Roads for All program, which supports public transit, pedestrian, bicycle, and automotive safety initiatives. Administered via the Oregon Department of Forestry listing, this competitive U.S. DOT program offers US $100,000 - US $5,000,000 for Action Plan development and related activities.

State, local, and tribal governments pursuing roadway safety implementation projects, including public transportation and pedestrian or bike-friendly infrastructure, may be eligible for the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All Implementation Grants, awarding US $2,500,000 - US $25,000,000. Puerto Rico transportation agencies can apply for projects that prevent deaths and serious injuries on local roads.

Schools and educational organizations running STEM and energy projects, including those focused on transportation and public transit, can apply for Constellation Energy Resources’ E2 Energy to Educate grants in Puerto Rico and nationwide. With a mission to develop tomorrow’s energy leaders, this program provides up to US $50,000 for student-led initiatives on clean energy, efficiency, and nuclear technology.

Federally recognized tribes and tribal organizations in rural areas can receive funding for public transportation planning, capital projects, operations, job access reverse commute projects, and service acquisition. The Federal Transit Administration provides this Tribal Transit Program support across the U.S., and eligible tribal entities serving Puerto Rico communities may benefit.

The Tribal Transportation Safety Strategy Pilot Program, funded by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, aims to address high traffic fatality rates among American Indian and Alaska Native populations. With a $2 million budget over three years, the program will create a university-led consortium to develop a strategic safety plan using artificial intelligence for risk analysis, culminating in a pilot project that showcases effective safety infrastructure in a Tribal community.

The FY25-FY26 Advanced Transportation Technology and Innovation (ATTAIN) grant program aims to enhance transportation through the deployment of innovative technologies. It focuses on improving safety, mobility, and efficiency while fostering economic competitiveness. Projects funded will prioritize core infrastructure improvements and address roadway congestion, aligning with the Trump Administration's goals. The program emphasizes economic opportunities and community benefits, ensuring that selected projects contribute positively to families and communities, ultimately enhancing their quality of life.

The FY 2026 Innovative Coordinated Access and Mobility Pilot Program offers $11,959,671 in grant funding to enhance transit services for the transportation-disadvantaged. This initiative, led by the Federal Transit Administration, aims to improve coordination for non-emergency medical transportation, benefiting older adults, individuals with disabilities, and low-income communities. Eligible applicants include state transportation departments and local entities that provide public transit services. This competitive funding opportunity supports innovative projects to better serve these populations.

AARP Foundation

AARP Foundation strengthens financial resilience for and with older adults by empowering individuals and improving systems.

AARP empowers people to choose how they live as they age. There are 125 million Americans who are 50 or older, and people want their money, health and happiness to last as long as they do. We are a wise friend and fierce defender, focusing on the priorities of older Americans.

Purpose Prize® from AARP

Honoring extraordinary people 50-plus who put their purpose into action.

Purpose is a powerful force for good. The Purpose Prize from AARP honors extraordinary older Americans who put their purpose into action to support AARP’s mission of empowering people to choose how they live as they age. Winners receive $75,000 and a year of organizational support from AARP to grow the impact of their nonprofits. Examples of organizational support include data and evaluation, governance and succession planning, fundraising strategy, and prospectus development.

The Banfield Foundation's Disaster Relief Grants support nonprofit animal welfare organizations and government agencies affected by natural disasters. Since 2015, the foundation has provided resources to help pets in crisis, including medical supplies, food, and temporary shelter. Grants are also available for organizations assisting those impacted by disasters. Eligible applicants must have 501(c)(3) status and directly help animals and their owners in the U.S., ensuring that pets receive the care they need during emergencies.

The PEDIGREE Foundation offers Program Development Grants aimed at enhancing dog adoption rates by supporting shelters and rescues across the U.S. Established in 2008, the foundation prioritizes initiatives such as transport, matching, and foster programs. Funding is available to 501(c)(3) designated organizations committed to improving the quality of care for dogs and ultimately increasing their chances of adoption, ensuring that every dog finds a loving home.