The Arkansas Department of Education is pleased to open a second opportunity to apply for the Transportation Modernization Grant Program, created by the LEARNS Act (Act 237 of 2023). This program invests in bold, innovative approaches to student transportation—funding ideas that rethink, not just expand, how students get to school today.
Innovation is at the heart of this program. By law, funds are directed to “the most innovative solutions proposed” for transporting students who attend public schools, open-enrollment public charter schools, and licensed childcare centers serving publicly funded students. Approaches should be new, promote efficiency, and be transformative, such as transportation resource-sharing and rideshare or carpool models, smarter routing technology, fleet strategies, and creative community partnerships.
Requests to purchase buses or hire bus drivers will not be approved.
The application cycle is now open and will close on November 13, 2026.
The following entities are eligible to apply:
· Public school districts
· Open-enrollment public charter schools
· Early childhood care and education programs, or their local early childhood coordinators
· Cities, towns, and other entities deemed eligible by ADE, which may include counties, education service cooperatives, and non-profit organizations
How applications are scored: A committee will review and score each application, placing the greatest weight on innovation, safety, and efficiency, alongside cost effectiveness and a demonstrated need and demand. At least 25% of grant funds are reserved to support rural and remote public school districts.
To apply, see the attached application. Completed applications should be submitted to transportation.modernization@ade.arkansas.gov.
For examples of previously awarded grants, visit Transportation Moderization Examples
To learn more about the program, see https://learns.ade.arkansas.gov/