Minnesota Department of Transportation

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Transit in Greater Minnesota

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Large capital grant

We distribute funding to rural and small urban transit providers for certain large capital items that deliver and improve modern transit services. We provide funding for revenue vehicles, facilities, and technology through other grants.

How it works

  • You identify a need for one or more large capital items through a planning, performance evaluation, or some other process.
  • Login into BlackCat, go to the application tab, and open an application for the year you need funds (CY 2026 or 2027).
  • You then have access to all resource documents including BlackCat guidance on where to upload required documents.
  • Then you submit your application documents in BlackCat

Eligibility

Any Greater Minnesota Rural or Small Urban transit agency currently receiving operating assistance from MnDOT.

Application process

What you'll need

Review instructions for 2026-27 Large Capital Grants in BlackCat
  • Find more details on funding, eligibility, scoring, etc.
Complete the application form
  • Download the document and complete it with a narrative and data that responds to the specific questions regarding the project, your need, expected efficiencies, and sustainability.
Other requirements
  • Cost estimation worksheet, known as an Independent Cost Estimate (ICE) form. An ICE is needed for any items exceeding $3,500 but not more than $150,000 (require a full solicitation).
  • A board resolution authorizing the application
  • An Affidavit of Non-collusion
  • A Conflict of Interest Disclosure form
  • Certification of No Conviction of a Felony Financial Crime

Submit your application in BlackCat

  • Once you have all required documents uploaded, submit your application in BlackCat. The BlackCat / Applications Guide is a resource to find, download and upload application documents.

Deadlines

  • Sept. 30, 2025: Deadline to submit grant application

Guidance

We'll send an invitation on Aug. 1 for a webinar the following week.

  • Aug 7, 2025: Webinar

After you apply

  • We will convene a scoring committee to review and score all applications.
  • Then we will select the highest-scoring projects until all available funds have been assigned.

Notification

  • January 2026: We'll post selected projects.

More information

Pursuant to Minn. Stat. 13.03, subd. 1, all government data collected, created, received, maintained or disseminated by a government entity shall be public unless classified by statute, or temporary classification pursuant to section 13.06, or federal law, as nonpublic or protected nonpublic, or with respect to data on individuals, as private or confidential. The responsible authority in every government entity shall keep records containing government data in such an arrangement and condition as to make them easily accessible for convenient use. Photographic, photostatic, microphotographic, or microfilmed records shall be considered as accessible for convenient use regardless of the size of such records.