Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) Discretionary Grant Applications

Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) Discretionary Grant Applications is sponsored by Oregon Department of Transportation. Provides funding for public transportation projects that improve, maintain, and expand services across Oregon.

Oregon Department of Transportation : STIF Program Overview : Public Transportation : State of Oregon Translate this site into other Languages tag, as divs are not allowed in 's --> March 2026 funding update In March 2026, the Oregon Legislature redirected state funding from several ODOT programs and projects to address the agency's funding gap for the 2025-2027 budget cycle .

The Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund program was not affected by this funding redirection. The Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) program was introduced by the House Bill 2017 Transportation Funding Package to fund public transportation improvements across Oregon.

STIF funds may be used for public transportation purposes that support the effective planning, deployment, operation, and administration of public transportation programs. STIF funds may not be used for light rail capital expenses, and are not intended to supplant local funding sources to maintain existing services.

Investments from the STIF program have helped to make transportation in Oregon more equitable and affordable by supporting reduced-fare programs, expanded service coverage, and increased service frequency to low-income communities. This program has advanced greenhouse gas emission reduction efforts by funding the transition to low-emission vehicles.

Funds have also supported expanded connectivity across Oregon's multimodal network through transit service, infrastructure, and technology improvements. At its inception, the STIF program was funded solely by the Oregon "transit tax," which is a state payroll tax equal to one-tenth of 1 percent. Effective July 1, 2023, The STIF program was consolidated with the Special Transportation Fund (STF) program.

The STF program was funded by ID card fees, non-highway gas tax, and cigarette tax revenues. Those revenues and the goals of the STF program are now part of the STIF program. The total funding amount will be estimated annually, and actual revenues will vary based on transit tax collections.

After allocations to ODOT for program administration and Projects of Statewide Significance, STIF revenues are allocated across four programs: 4% to STIF Intercommunity Discretionary 1% to Technical Resource Center Key Terms on Recipient Eligibility Qualified Entity (QE) - mass transit districts, transportation districts, counties without either a mass transit or transportation district, and federally-recognized tribes.

Public Transportation Service Provider (PTSP) - cities, counties, Qualified Entities, special districts, intergovernmental entities, and any other political subdivision or municipal or public corporation that provides public transportation services. Sub-Recipient – any entity that has entered into an agreement with a recipient in order to complete one or more tasks specified in the agreement between the recipient and ODOT.

These entities include, but are not limited to, nonprofits, private for-profits, and public entities. STIF Program Rules Update ODOT is developing STIF Program administrative rule changes for the following reasons: (1) The legislature passed SB 1544​ during 2026 session. That bill modified the definition of “Qualified Entity” to include certain intergovernmental entities.

Rule changes are needed to implement the statutory change. (2) Miscellaneous clean-up changes to the program rules identified following the adoption of the substantial STIF program rules update by the OTC on January 22, 2026.

(3) We need to replace the temporary rule allowing STIF Discretionary funds to be used for ongoing operations with a time-limited permanent version to make sure it remains in effect through the grant solicitation cycle. The draft rules can be found here: STIF ​Draft Rule Changes More information about the reason for each change can be found here: STIF Rulemaking Need Summary​ .

We are seeking feedback from public transportation providers and other interested members of the public on these proposed changes. For more information, or to provide a comment, contact STIF Program Analyst Ben Goldberg . ​ The Oregon Transportation Commission (OTC) approved updates to the Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) Program Rules.

These updates are the result of a multiyear project to identify policy and process improvements for the STIF Program, including the work of the STIF Rules Advisory Committee . They are aimed at enhancing financial flexibility and sustainability, clarifying program concepts, ensuring key terms are defined in rule, revising reporting deadlines, streamlining processes for transit providers, and enhancing accountability.

Some key changes include: Establishing a uniform process for oversight of STIF Formula Sub-Recipients by Qualified Entities, with ODOT available to mediate disputes related to that process. Defining several key STIF program terms, including “communities with a high percentage of low-income households," and “STIF Plan Maximum."

Refining the suballocation and project selection rules to encourage collaboration by Qualified Entities and Sub-Recipients, while providing greater flexibility for transit agencies to tailor the process to local needs. Defining “Plan Contingency" and “Operations Reserves" as project types and placing caps on the amount of funding in a plan that can be allocated to those uses.

Updating reporting requirements, including the deadlines for quarterly reports and submission of audits pursuant to 'Agreed Upon Procedures', as well as the adding an expenditure reporting criterion for costs that support the operation of current services. A full summary of each rule change can be found in the STIF Rule Change document​ . For more information, contact STIF Program Analyst Ben Goldberg .

​ ​STIF Quarterly Formula Payments FY 2026 STIF Payments by Quarter​ FY 2025 STIF ​Payments by Quarter ​​ FY 2024 STIF Payments by Quarter​ FY 2023 STIF Payments by Quarter FY 2022 STIF Payments by Quarter All Formula Payments: July 2025​ Progress and Outcome Reports 2020 STIF Legislative Report 2020 STIF Legislative Report Spanish STIF Legislative Report, Feb.

2020 (ADA) ​​​ ​​The Formula Fund is intended to expand and improve public transportation services, and may also be used to support service maintenance and ongoing operations costs. There are no match requirements for STIF Formula funds. ODOT disburses STIF Formula funds to Qualified Entities (QEs) based on population and payroll taxes paid within their geographic area.

Any QE wishing to receive STIF funding must submit a completed STIF Plan to ODOT by the submission deadline each biennium. The “STIF Plan" is the official application for STIF Formula funds. Sub-recipients are eligible to receive STIF Formula funding through their QE by submitting project proposals to the QE's STIF Advisory Committee.

These sub-recipients can include Public Transportation Service Providers (PTSPs) and other entities, including but not limited to, nonprofits, private for-profits, and public entities. STIF Program Guidebook, July 2026​ STIF Allocation Estimate, July 2026​ STIF Plan Amendment Request Form, Nov. 2025 Subrecipient Amendment Request Form, Nov.

2025​ STIF Plan Amendment Guidance and ​​Instructions, Nov. 2025 STIF HB3991 Allocation Estimate, Nov. 2025 STIF Base Allocation Estimate, Nov.

2025 Formula Fun​d rules (Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 732, Division 42) STIF Formula Application Q&A, Dec. 2024​ STIF Guidebook, Sep. 2024 ​ STIF Plan Training Webinar Slides, Sept.

2024 STIF Formula Budget Planning Guidance, Sept. 2024 STIF Allocation Estimates, Aug. 2024​ ​ STIF Plan Submissions for FY 2025-27​ Discretionary Fund and Intercommunity Discretionary Fund Overview ​STIF Discretionary and Intercommunity Discretionary funds are awarded to Public Transportation Service Providers to improve public transportation through a competitive grant process.

The STIF Discretionary fund supports a wide variety of project types but cannot be used to fund ongoing operations. The Intercommunity Discretionary fund supports maintaining, expanding, and improving public transportation services between two or more communities. The Oregon Transportation Commission finalizes award decisions using criteria derived from statute and the Oregon Public Transportation Plan.

Discretionary and Intercommunity Fund Awards, FY 2025-27 ​ Selection Committee Scoring Guidance, Sep. 2024 Discretionary and Intercommunity Application Instructions, Jul. 2024 Discretionary and Intercommunity Discretionary Fund rules (Chapter 732, Division 44).

​ STIF allocation estima​tes (August 2024) The Oregon Administrative Rules below guide implementation of the STIF program. Potential applicants should review the General, Formula, and Discretionary rules for information on funding eligibility, application processes, and other requirements.

​ General rules that apply to all three funds (Chapter 732, Division 40), Formula Fund rules (Chapter 732, Division 42) Discretionary and Intercommunity Discretionary Fund rules​ (Chapter 732, Division 44) Consolidation with the Special Transportation Fund (STF) Program ​Consolidation of the Special Transportation Fund (STF) and Statewide Transportation Improvement Fund (STIF) public transportation funding programs was directed by Senate Bill 1601 which passed in the July 2020 First Special Session of the Oregon State Legislature.

The purpose of this merger is to increase efficiency and funding reliability for public transportation providers throughout Oregon. ODOT convened a Rules Advisory Committee in June 2021 to draft Oregon Administrative Rule revisions needed to consolidate the two programs. The Oregon Transportation Commission approved these rules in January 2022, and they became effective on July 1, 2023.

​ Commissioners approve combining STF and STIF programs STIF Rules Advisory Committee Webpage, Jan. 2025 Statewide Intercity Network Coordinator Learn about and contact your Regional Transit Coordinators How to recognize an official Oregon website Only share sensitive information on official, secure websites. Your browser is out-of-date!

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