The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is making up to $55 million in grants available to local transit agencies that bring American-made technologies like battery electric power and hydrogen fuel cells into their bus services.

The Low or No Emission (Low-No) Bus Program grants will “help riders across the country get to work, school, and other important destinations more comfortably and efficiently,” said FTA Executive Director Matthew Welbes. “The Low-No program exemplifies FTA’s commitment to spurring innovation in public transportation.”

FTA will award the grants to eligible transit agencies, state transportation departments, and Native American tribes on a competitive basis. Projects will be evaluated by criteria defined in federal law and in the Notice of Funding Opportunity, including the applicant’s demonstration of need; the project’s anticipated reductions in energy consumption compared to standard buses; and local strategy and capacity for implementing the project.

The application deadline is June 26, 2017. Project selections will be announced within 75 days of the closing of the application period, and no later than September 30, 2017.

Federal public transportation law (49 USC § 5339(c)) authorizes FTA to solicit proposals through the competitive Low-No program. The authorized funding level is up to $55 million per year through Fiscal Year 2020.