The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is funded through the Federal Highway Administration's Federal Aid Program and administered by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), in partnership with the DVRPC, North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA), and the South Jersey Transportation Planning Organization (SJTPO).
The objectives of the SRTS Program are:
- to enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bicycle to school;
- to make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age; and
- to facilitate the development and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of New Jersey's primary and middle schools (Grades K-12).
The SRTS grants are available for infrastructure projects that encourage and enable K-12 students to walk and bike safely to school. Projects must be located within two miles of a school that serves students in grades K-12.
Applications Open for NJ SRTS Grant Program
The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) is accepting applications for the 2027 Safe Routes to School (SRTS) grant program through November 13, 2026. Counties, municipalities, and school districts are eligible to apply for funding. Potential applicants must schedule a pre-application meeting and attend a SRTS Grant Training Webinar to be considered for funding.
Pre-Application Meetings
In conjunction with DVRPC, SJTPO, and NJTPA, the Division of Local Aid is offering Pre-Application meetings for the upcoming SRTS Solicitation. The prospective applicant can discuss their project concept and get guidance on whether the proposed project is a good fit for the program. The team will be able to help identify any potential risks and discuss essential program requirements. Potential applicants must schedule a pre-application meeting and attend a SRTS Grant Training Webinar to be considered for funding. The pre-application meeting must be scheduled by October 9.
Schedule your Pre-Application Meeting by October 9, 2026.
Training Webinars
Register for free online sessions which will provide participants with information about applying for Safe Routes to School grants, administered by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) in partnership with the State’s Metropolitan Planning Organizations.
Topics that will be covered in this online session include:
- Overview of Federal Aid programs and the Safe Routes to School Program
- Detailed Review of the Safe Routes to School Grant Application
- Grant Application Process
- Grant Resources, Tips & Strategies
- Q&A with NJDOT Local Aid Staff
The session is designed to assist you with making your grant application stronger to turn your project into a reality. This online session is presented by the New Jersey Safe Routes Resource Center at Rutgers University. Please register for a webinar below:
- Wednesday, September 9, 2026, from 10am to 11:30am
- Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 10am to 11:30am
- Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 1pm to 2:30pm
Application Resources
Application instructions and pre-application meetings can be found in the