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Innovative Mobility Program



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About the Innovative Mobility Program

The Innovative Mobility Program is a new initiative that aims to improve historically underserved communities' access to public and active transportation. Program goals also include reducing the number of trips Oregonians make by car and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The IMP is funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed by Congress in November 2021, as well as State of Oregon dollars. The program has a total of $20 million for grants and contracts. 

Program Objectives

The Innovative Mobility Program is designed to increase social equity and mobility while reducing the effects of climate change. The core objectives of the program are to:  

  1. Improve historically underserved communities’ access to public and active transportation.  
  2. Reduce the number of drive-alone trips. 
  3. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 
The term "historically underserved communities" refers to populations sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, whose access to resources and opportunities have been historically limited due to systemic barriers. This includes, but is not limited to, communities who have been historically underserved or under-resourced due to age, disability status, language, income, race/ethnicity, immigration status, or gender.

Program Development

The Innovative Mobility Program was created in May 2022 at the direction of the Oregon Transportation Commission. ODOT staff conducted engagement in the summer of 2022 to inform the development of the program and a summary of the feedback is available in the Innovative Mobility Program Engagement Report. A Technical Advisory Committee comprised of external partners advised ODOT staff on the development of the funding opportunities available through the program. Equity and change management consultant Ontiveros & Associates supported staff by researching and analyzing other grant programs and providing recommendations on funding areas, engagement strategies, and key performance metrics. 

What We Fund

Learn more about what the Innovative Mobility Program can fund and who is eligible to apply below. 

​The Innovative Mobility Program can fund a variety of activities and projects that support increased access to active and public transportation, including shared mobility services. All projects must meet the objectives of the program. The following list provides a broad overview of the types of projects and activities that the program can support.   

  • Studies, assessments, and implementation strategies, including:
    • Transportation equity needs assessments
    • Shared mobility feasibility studies
    • First and last mile studies
    • Pilot and/or program development
  • New shared mobility services and/or improvements to existing services, including:
    • Micromobility (e.g., bike, e-bike, e-scooter share, e-bike lending libraries)
    • Carshare
    • Carpool and vanpool
    • Transit and microtransit
  • Minor infrastructure projects supportive of active and public transportation, including:
    • Mobility hubs
    • Transit stop improvements
    • Bicycle racks
    • Shared package lockers
    • Temporary bicycle and pedestrian installations
  • Outreach and education efforts and safety gear to support transportation demand management, including: 
    • Travel trainings 
    • Bicycle and pedestrian safety gear
    • Translation of materials
  • Special events, including:
    • Open Streets
    • ​​Bike Rodeos

​Eligibility will depend on the type of grant, but the following entities are broadly eligible for Innovative Mobility Program funding: 
  • Local, regional, Tribal, and state government agencies. (excluding the Oregon Department of Transportation). 
  • Transportation providers.
  • Public schools, school districts, colleges, and universities. 
  • Nonprofits with 501(c) status. 
  • Organizations with fiscal sponsorship from a nonprofit with 501(c) status or public agency.

  • ​​FTA Shared Mobility Definitions: This webpage includes a list of definitions for shared mobility terms, including bikesharing, carsharing, micromobility, and more, as used by the Federal Transit Association (FTA). 
  • Shared-Use Mobility Center Definitions: This resource from the Shared-Use Mobility Center includes a list of shared mobility related definitions, including terms like "first and last mile".
  • Transportation Demand Management: This Association for Commuter Transportation webpage provides an overview of what "transportation demand management" (or TDM) means and a list of typical TDM strategies. In Oregon, many of these strategies will more often​ be called "​transportation options​".
  • Transportation Equity Needs Assessment Toolkit: This resource was developed by researchers at the University of South Florida with funding from the US Department of Transportation (USDOT). It includes a definition of a “transportation equity needs assessment” along with a series of tools to use. 
  • Roadmap to Equitable Community Transportation: This resource from The Greenlining Institute provides an overview of best practices for conducting a mobility needs assessment. (This may also be referred to as a “transportation needs assessment” or a "community transportation needs assessment.”) 
  • Mobility Hubs Overview: This webpage from Chicago’s Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) provides a brief description of mobility hubs.

Explore Available Grants

There are both competitive and non-competitive grant opportunities under the Innovative Mobility Program.

​This is a non-competitive grant that can be used to fund a wide variety of projects and activities, including events, demonstration projects, outreach and education, and minor infrastructure projects. Projects are funded with state dollars and no match is required. Non-profits and community-based organizations (CBOs) are encouraged to apply. We have allocated a total of $1 million to the microgrant program. 


Funding Cycles 

We have completed two cycles of microgrants (2023 and 2024). The final cycle of microgrants will open in 2026. 

Funded Projects 

  • Cycle 2 (2024) 
  • Cycle 1 (2023)
    • ​Cycle 1 Report ​(last updated April 2024): This report provides a broad overview of the projects that were funded during the first microgrant cycle. 
    • A complete list of funded projects can be found here.

Cycle 2 Resources 


Application Information

We are not currently accepting applications. Cycle 3 of microgrants will open in 2026.​


​About this Opportunity

​This is a competitive grant to support communities in conducting assessments to better understand their transportation needs and identify gaps in the system. They can also be used to conduct shared mobility feasibility studies, first/last mile studies, or plan for the development of a new shared mobility service. All projects must meet the core objectives of the program. Eligible activities include:

  • Research and learning
  • Feasibility/technical evaluation and consultation
  • Community outreach and education
  • Collaboration and partnership building

These projects will be funded with federal dollars and will require 10.27% in matching funds. Applicants may submit proposals for up to $200,000 per project. 

Funding Cycles 

There will be one solicitation for study and assessment grants. We plan to award up to $2.4 million during the fall 2024 solicitation.

Awards​

We received 18 proposals for Study and Assessment Grants in 2024.  ​16 projects will receive Study and Assessment Grant funding.
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Resources and Application Info 

The fall 2024 solicitation closed on 12/20 at 5 p.m. Solicitation resources for reference are listed below.

​About this Opportunity 

This is a competitive grant to support the piloting of new shared mobility services that meet an identified community need (not intended for an existing service that reaches a new audience). All projects must meet the core objectives of the program. Eligible activities include:
  • Purchasing equipment, materials, and supplies
  • Installing supportive infrastructure
  • Launching and marking services
  • Tracking ridership or service use
  • Evaluating pilot outcomes
  • including funds for operations and minor infrastructure.
These projects will be funded with state dollars and will require 10.27% in matching funds, except those meeting certain eligibility criteria. Applicants may submit proposals for up to $200,000 per project.

Funding Cycles 

There will be two solicitations for pilot grants. We plan to award up to $1 million during fall 2024 solicitation. A second solicitation will occur in the spring of 2027. 

Awards

We received 13 proposals for Pilot Grants in 2024. Six projects will receive Pilot Grant funding.

Resources and Application Info 
The fall 2024 solicitation closed on 12/20 at 5 p.m. Solicitation resources for reference are listed below.​

About this Opportunity 

This is a competitive grant to support the expansion of existing shared mobility services, including funds for operations and minor infrastructure. These projects will be funded with state dollars. (Match rate is still being determined.) We have allocated approximately $6 million to service expansion grants.
 

Funding Cycles 

There will be two solicitations for service expansion grants. The first will be in the spring of 2025 and the second will be in the spring of 2027. 

Resources and Application Info 

​Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated about this grant opportunity. (You can enter your email address to subscribe on the right side of this webpage.)

​About this Opportunity 

This is a competitive grant to support investment in capital and equipment purchases for shared mobility services, such as bicycles, microtransit vans, etc. These projects will be funded with federal dollars and will require 10.27% match. We have allocated approximately $3 million for capital and equipment. 

Funding Cycles 

There will be one solicitation for capital and equipment in the spring of 2025.

Resources and Application Info 

Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated about this grant opportunity. (You can enter your email address to subscribe on the right side of this webpage.)

Learn About IMP Investments

In addition to the grant opportunities, the Innovative Mobility Program is also investing funds in other program areas. Read more about each one below.

​We are using a portion of the IMP funds to support the development of a statewide vanpool program that will provide subsidies for new urban and rural vanpools. A Request for Proposals (RFP) for a contractor to support this program is in progress. Vanpool services will be specifically marketed to low-wage workers, shift workers, and people with limited English proficiency, among other underserved groups. 

​We are investing a portion of the IMP funds in our Transportation Options program to increase the capacity of our community partners and support program expansion with a key focus on historically underserved communities. More information about the work these partners will be doing will be available later this year. 

​A portion of the funds will be used to contract with a consultant or group of consultants to provide technical assistance for grantees conducting studies and transportation needs assessments who have not done these types of projects in the past. Technical assistance will also be available for grantees piloting new shared mobility services. Piloting a new service can be a difficult undertaking and this investment is intended to help grantees achieve success. 

​A portion of the funds be used for research and program evaluation support. Since this is a new program, we want to be sure that we have a good understanding of the lessons learned, and the extent to which we were able to meet the program’s goals. 

​A small portion of the funds will fund a consultant-led shared micromobility coordination study. The purpose of the study is to identify potential scenarios for a regional shared micromobility program, evaluate the viability of the potential scenarios, and determine next steps. Up to six municipalities will be invited to participate in the study based on community characteristics that indicate readiness for the implementation and/or expansion of shared micromobility programs. The study will be completed by spring 2025. 












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