• Main
•  News and announcements
•  Events
•  School travel plans and grants
•  Marketing Toolkit
•  Acknowledgement Programs
• Starter Kit
•  Links and Resources
•  Join our email list
•  Contact us

SRST - Activities and Programs Plan Non-Infrastructure (Activities and Programs) Grants

VDOT is accepting applications for non-infrastructure (Activities and Programs) grant applications.  Each application must include a VDOT-approved SRTS Activities and Programs Plan.  These plans must be submitted for VDOT review and approval by December 7, 2012.  An optional initial review can be completed by the Local Technical Assistance Coordinator working in your region.  Applicants wishing to take advantage of this review should submit their draft plan as far in advance of the final submission deadline as possible, to ensure proper time for VDOT review and response, as well time for revision and resubmission.  Activities and Programs Plans submitted for optional review after November 2nd are not guaranteed a review.   

Applications are due by December 21, 2012.  Application amounts must be between $5,000 and $100,000.  Each application must include a SRTS Activities and Programs Plan. The SRTS Activities and Programs Plan must be approved by VDOT before beginning the non-infrastructure grant application.  Applications are completed online through Foundant.  Prospective grant applicants will receive access to Foundant once the SRTS Activities and Programs Plan is approved. Please note that the non-infrastructure grant application will draw from information contained in the Activities and Programs Plan, but also requires detailed cost estimates for the submitted programs and activities. Applicants seeking funding for a local coordinator will also need to describe her/his intended role in the SRTS program.

SRTS Activities and Programs Plan

Both a Reference Guide and Template are available for preparing a SRTS Activities and Programs Plan (SRTS APP).  Begin by reviewing the SRTS APP Reference Guide. Once you are ready to begin preparing the SRTS Activities and Programs Plan itself, download the Template (a Word document). 

SRTS Activities and Programs Reference Guide downloadable

SRTS Activities and Programs Template downloadable

Eligible Grant Programs and Activities

Safe Routes to School funding is intended for projects and activities that specifically serve the SRTS Program purpose and that are part of a comprehensive program that addresses the “5 E’s”.  Also, SRTS funding is intended for new activities, start-up programs and infrastructure projects without traditional funding sources.
Only types of programs and projects identified as “Strategies” in the target school’s SRTS Activities and Programs Plan will be eligible for funding.  If an applicant seeks funding for a program activity or project that is not included in the corresponding School Travel Plan, the application will not be considered.  If you are unsure as to whether a certain project or activity is eligible contact the Virginia SRTS Coordinator.  Fundable activities and eligible costs are listed below.

Education	Encouragement	Enforcement	Evaluation	Reimbursable  SRTS-related Costs
Creation of educational materials Pedestrian and bicycle safety skills training for students and parents (some qualifications) Bicycle rodeo to teach on bike on-bike skills Personal safety skills training for students and parents Health, environmental and sustainable transportation benefits of walking and bicycling to students Educate parents and caregivers about safe driving procedures at the school Training, including SRTS training workshops that target school- and community-level audiences	SRTS promotional campaigns and materials Incentive programs that encourage safe walking and bicycling over time Walking School bus programs Bike Train programs International Walk to School Day or other special event Walking and biking mileage clubs Community safe driving awareness and education campaigns	Crossing guard training programs and equipment Parent or student patrol programs Lower speed limits in school vicinity Neighborhood Watch initiative	Photocopying, duplicating and printing costs, mailing costs for data-gathering Conducting school-wide Student Travel Tallies (counting the number of students who walk and bicycle to and from school; mandated for funded projects) Tracking the number of crashes within 2 miles of school Conducting Parent Surveys (measuring parent and guardian perceptions of safety  (mandated for funded projects0 Consultant services for expanding or improving an existing School Travel Plan	Equipment and Supplies used for SRTS activities  (some qualifications) Educational Materials Promotions, Incentives or Publicity Printing, Copying and Postage Consultant Services - Education and Training Costs to Employ Area-wide Program Manager:  A position to direct the start-up of a SRTS program for an entire city, county, or some other area-wide division (3 or more participating schools) for the identified non-infrastructure elements in the School Travel Plan.  Funded program managers coordinate the efforts of numerous stakeholders and volunteers, and manage the process for implementation at the local or regional level.  Requests for funding Program Managers will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis; the position is time-limited and funding should not supplant existing funding for staff who are already responsible for these types of activities.