Electric School Bus Grant Program
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Please reach out to
[email protected] email for 1-on-1 meetings or calls to discuss filling out the Jotform application form or any questions on the FOA. Thank you!
Notice: The charging infrastructure aspect of funding has been updated to the following, "MEA will now cover eligible charging installation costs to better support school districts seeking to expand EV charging capacity. Equipment and installation costs provided will be proportional to what is calculated for the charger costs." This has been updated in the Funding Opportunity Announcement found below.
Program Purpose: The FY26 Maryland Electric School Bus Grant Program is being established in support of the Moore-Miller administration’s announcement to direct $4.9 million for grants to purchase and lease electric school buses to serve Maryland public school students. The Program offers a statewide competitive application process for eligible vehicles utilized in student transportation services, with a strong focus on expanding access to funding for overburdened and low to moderate income communities facing economic challenges. Please note: in no case should MEA and other state incentives (including federal) exceed the total funding request/cost of the project.
Eligible Applicants:
- Public Local Education Agencies (LEAs)
- Fleets/private school bus vendors operating on behalf of LEAs to purchase school buses.
Eligible Vehicles:
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Any publicly-funded school bus procured by an eligible entity for the routine transportation of students for school or school-related programming or activities is eligible for consideration.
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Vehicles must be purchased new (i.e. retrofits or repowered vehicles are NOT eligible).
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A vehicle that has been funded in whole or in part by another Maryland State grant may not be funded through this program.
Electric School Bus Funding Diagram
Funding:
- Up to $4.9 million available in Fiscal Year 2026.
- Grant will cover up to 120% of the incremental cost of eligible vehicles, with additional funding for charging infrastructure, and other associated costs (more information in the FOA below).
- The maximum award amount cap will be $2,000,000.00 per Grantee, which includes electric school bus purchase, charging infrastructure, and associated costs. Depending on income qualifications and the size of the school district, the maximum award amount cap may be increased to $2,500,000.00.
- MEA will now cover eligible charging installation costs to better support school districts seeking to expand EV charging capacity. Equipment and installation costs provided will be proportional to what is calculated for the charger costs.
Program Documents: Applications are due on December 26, 2025 at 3:00PM ET. All application materials and instructions are found here:
Apply now! Applications due
December 26th, 2025 at 3:00PM ET.
Reimbursement & Reporting:
Webinars:
Additional Information and Resources:
● Free Technical Advising
● Federal Tax Credits for EV Chargers through the Inflation Reduction Act
○The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers a tax credit for charging infrastructure (Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit). The deadline expires for chargers placed into service after June 30th, 2026.
Contact: For more information or questions, please contact Natalie Buscemi, Transportation Program Manager, at
[email protected] or 410-537-4071.
