The Federal Transit Administration's Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program funds major transit capital investments through a discretionary grant process. Transit agencies lead the application and project development process. Civil engineering firms such as Firm owners can support agencies with planning, analysis, grant development where allowed, design, and construction phase services. The FTA's official CIG program page describes the program and links to project status information.
What it funds
CIG supports transit capital investments, including heavy rail, commuter rail, light rail, streetcars, and bus rapid transit. The program includes New Starts, Small Starts, and Core Capacity projects. Each project must proceed through the applicable federal process, and FTA rates projects at points along the way using statutory criteria related to project justification and local financial commitment.
The program's project development requirements vary by project type. New Starts and Core Capacity projects complete Project Development and Engineering before receiving a construction grant agreement. Small Starts projects complete Project Development before a construction grant agreement. These are federal program steps; agencies should confirm current requirements and guidance with FTA.
Who applies
Transit agencies seek CIG funding and manage the required project development and grant process. A consulting firm does not apply for the grant on an agency's behalf as the project sponsor. Instead, an agency may procure consultants for defined professional services as its project advances.
Owners should identify the agency's role, project readiness, and procurement approach early. The work may span planning, project justification, financial planning, design, and delivery, but the agency remains responsible for its application and federal coordination.
Award size and funding available
Check the official CIG program page for current program information and confirm project-specific funding assumptions with FTA. Do not rely on an assumed grant amount when planning scope, schedule, or staffing.
Cycle and current status
FTA published a notice of proposed CIG Policy Guidance in the Federal Register on October 1, 2026, for public review and comment. Public comments must be submitted by November 16, 2026.
The CIG dashboard reports data and milestone status for New Starts, Small Starts, and Core Capacity projects seeking funding. Agencies and their consultants can use the dashboard to understand project progression. Check the official program page for the current dashboard and any updates after the comment period.
How consultants win the design work
Agencies apply for CIG funds. Consultants are selected separately by the agency through its procurement process. For planning, benefit-cost analysis, grant writing support where allowed, design, and construction phase services, firms should expect qualifications-based selection (QBS) where applicable. Procurement rules apply, including the agency's solicitation requirements and any relevant federal requirements.
Consultants can prepare by documenting relevant transit experience, staff qualifications, delivery approach, and capacity to support the agency's project milestones. Grant writing support must fit the agency's procurement and program rules. Firms should confirm permitted roles and selection requirements in each solicitation rather than assume a uniform process.
What owners should do now
- Review the official CIG page and dashboard for the agency's project type, milestones, and current status.
- Coordinate with the transit agency to understand its project development needs and upcoming consultant procurements.
- Build a qualified team for planning, benefit-cost analysis, design, and construction phase services, and verify the scope allowed for grant support.
- Track the proposed Policy Guidance comment process and check FTA's official page for updates and final guidance.
Official program page: https://www.transit.dot.gov/CIG. Check it for current notices of funding opportunity before advising a client.
