The federal government has provided, on average, more than half a billion dollars each year to state transportation agencies as a whole to carry out the TE program.  In general, each state department of transportation (DOT) is responsible for developing and administering its own TE program, and thus the program can vary by state.  The state DOT receives applications for TE funds from governments, communities, or nonprofit organizations partnered with governments, and may also generate its own project proposals. 

A successful application must show that the project will relate to surface transportation and that it qualifies as one of the 12 eligible activities.  Additionally, the applicant must demonstrate how the project will be financed.  Typically, the applicant must be prepared to furnish at least 20 percent of the proposed project cost, with the federal government providing the remaining 80 percent, though this ratio varies from state to state. 

In some states, the state DOT may give local governments the power to select TE projects, although it must give final approval for project funding.   When the state approves a project, the sponsor becomes responsible for implementing it. 

Tips for a successful application:

• Relate the proposed project to surface transportation
• Show that the project can be categorized as one or more of the 12 eligible activities
• Discuss the project’s potential economic, community, cultural, aesthetic, and/or environmental benefits, with data and graphs when applicable
• Use maps and data to show how the project will enhance access to local and regional transportation networks, if applicable
• Use maps to show the project site, if applicable, and relate it to other area destinations
• Make reference to similar successful projects
• Demonstrate how the project sponsor will fund 20 percent or more of project cost
• Demonstrate that there is community support for the project
• Relate the project to existing state and metropolitan transportation plans