The Georgia Department of Transportation (Georgia DOT) has opened its Competitive Funding Proposal (CFP) application portal for federal funding under the Transportation Alternatives (TA) and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) Improvement programs. Applications will be accepted online from September 15 through October 31, 2025.
According to the department, eligible applicants can submit up to two project proposals for consideration. Projects must be located within either a TA or CMAQ eligible area. In TA eligible areas, projects can include pedestrian and bicycle facilities, streetscaping, and Safe Routes to School initiatives. For CMAQ eligible areas, additional project types such as roundabouts, intersection improvements, traffic signalization, traffic engineering, intelligent transportation systems, and other efforts aimed at reducing congestion or emissions may qualify.
Entities that may apply include cities, counties, transit agencies, regional transportation authorities—including Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs)—natural resources or public land agencies, school districts or schools, tribal governments, or any other local or regional governmental body with responsibility for transportation or recreational trails oversight. Federal guidance allows MPOs in CMAQ-eligible areas to apply for support within their jurisdictions; those classified as “small urbanized areas” with populations under 200,000 are also eligible for TA funding.
Applications must be submitted through the designated online portal and should include details such as project type and location, anticipated outcomes and costs, status updates, and commitments for local funding matches. The department will evaluate submissions based on program requirements. Eligible phases for funding consideration include Preliminary Engineering (PE), Right-of-Way Acquisition, and Construction.
Training dates for potential applicants seeking guidance on the CFP process will be posted soon on the program’s webpage.
The Georgia DOT Office of Planning will review all applications and determine which projects receive funding. Decisions are expected to be announced in Spring 2026.
For more information about the program and eligibility requirements visit the official Georgia DOT website at https://www.dot.ga.gov/IS/Funding/Pages/CompetitiveFunding.aspx. Questions regarding the proposal process can be directed to CFP_Help@dot.ga.gov.
“Georgia Department of Transportation plans, constructs, and maintains Georgia’s state and federal highways. We’re involved in bridge, waterway, public transit, rail, general aviation, bike, and pedestrian programs. And we help local governments maintain their roads. Georgia DOT and its nearly 4,000 employees are committed to delivering a transportation system focused on innovation, safety, sustainability, and mobility. The Department’s vision is to boost Georgia’s competitiveness through leadership in transportation,” according to a statement from the department.
