Safe Routes to School Planning & Programming Grant Program
SRTS programs

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  • Introduction & Overview

    The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program supports communities in making it safer and easier for K-12 students, including students with disabilities, to walk, bicycle, and roll.

    The program was established in 2005 as a federally funded effort to provide opportunities for communities to improve conditions for walking and bicycling to school. Today, SRTS in North Carolina is funded through the federal Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP), alongside other walking and biking programs and infrastructure projects. 

  • Purpose of the Safe Routes to School Program

    ​The purpose of this program is to:

    • Enable and encourage children and teens in grades K-12, including those with disabilities, to walk, bicycle, and roll to school and in their communities.​
    • Build the skills, confidence, and knowledge students need to safely walk, bicycle, and roll to school and in daily life.​

    • Make walking, bicycling, and rolling safer and more appealing transportation options for students.​
    • ​​Support the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that improve safety and access around schools and help reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution.

  • SRTS Planning & Programming Grants

    Safe Routes to School Planning and Programming Grants (formerly called Non-infrastructure grants) support local and regional efforts to conduct Safe Routes to School-related planning and implement programs and activities that focus on creating safe opportunities for students to learn how to safety walk, bike and roll to school and in their communities.

    The grant cycle will have a period of performance of 18 months, beginning on January 1, 2027 and ending on June 30, 2028. This cycle covers half of state FY 27 and all of FY28. Funded project proposals will be between $25,000 and $400,000 each. Funding may be requested to support activities for school-specific, community-wide, regional or statewide programs. The number of projects funded will depend on the number and size of proposed projects submitted and how well they score based on the criteria laid out in the Application Worksheet and Grant Guidelines documents.

    Projects are funded on a cost-reimbursement basis. Per Transportation Alternatives Program requirements, successful applicants must provide 20 percent matching funds towards the total cost of the project.​​

    NOTE: The maximum award that may be requested has been increased to $400,000. 


  • FY27 Cycle Applications

    ​Opening Date: Monday, October 5

    Closing Date: Friday, November 6 at 11:59pm

    Applications must be submitted via the Smartsheet form at the link below and include all required attachments at the time of submission. A zip file with templates for required attachments is provided on this webpage. Smartsheet submissions cannot be saved for continuous editing, therefore, applicants are encouraged to use the application worksheet to compile and edit answers before copying information into Smartsheet for final submission.

    Smartsheet Application Form

    Required Application Attachments: 

    1. ​​​School Information Template
    2. Proposed Work Plan Template
    3. Budget and Justification Template
    4. Lead agency authorization letter
    5. Draft or final board resolution
    6. School district or school letter(s) of support
    7. Partner letters of support for partners with substantial financial or implementation roles (if applicable)
    8. Resumes or related staffing documents
    9. Proof of Indirect Cost Rate (if applicable)

  • Application Support

    ​An informational webinar was held on Wednesday, October 7th at 3pm. The meeting included time for Q&A and was recorded. 

    Webinar recording. 

    Webinar presentation slides are posted in the file list on the right side of this page.  

    NOTE: The webinar cites the max award as $300,000, but this has been increased to $400,000. 

    Program staff will host weekly virtual office hours during the application period. Dates, times, and Teams links are provided below. Prospective applicants do not need to register to participate in office hours and may drop in as needed to ask questions during these times.

    Office Hours: 

    Mon, Oct 12 at 1pm​ - Join here. 

    Wed, Oct 21 at 11am​ - Join here. 

    Tues, Oct 27 at 3pm​ - Join here. 

    Mon, Nov 2 at 9am - Join here.​

  • Other Helpul Information

    ​Sup​port

    If additional assistance is needed, please contact:

    Jennifer Delcourt, Safe Routes to School Program Manager

    jadelcourt@ncdot.gov or 919-707-2609
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