The Vermont Agency of Transportation supports municipalities in improving their road networks, work safety, and ability to purchase necessary roadway equipment. AOT recently released three (3) separate competitive grant programs to assist municipalities with funding for essential supplies. Municipalities may apply for one or all three (3) funding opportunities but will only be eligible to receive an award for one (1) grant program.
What These Programs Funds
Temporary Lighting Grant Program - Funds the purchase of a temporary lighting package. These portable, modular lighting solutions combine multiple fixtures, accessories, and power sources into one organized set, designed for flexibility, safety, and efficiency in short‑term lighting needs. One award will be made.
Municipal Sign Package Grant Program - Funds the purchase of a Municipal Sign Package which includes the following items:
- Six (6) sign stands,
- Two (2) Road Work Ahead signs,
- Two (2) Be Prepared to Stop signs,
- Two (2) Flagger Ahead Symbol signs,
- Two lighted Stop/Slow paddles, and
- Fifteen (15) 28-inch cones with retroreflective bands.
One sign package will be awarded to one municipality in each of the four VAOT regions.
Rigid Roadway Equipment Grant Program - Provides partial funding, for equipment purchases that enable towns to mitigate roadway damage, enhance safety, and protect local economies. Approved equipment includes:
- Compactors (plate, jumping jacks) for culvert installation.
- Laser levels.
- Grade indicators (to determine slope for stone or grass ditches)
- Slope levels to install in graders for getting the correct crown.
- Roller attachments for trucks or graders for compaction after grading.
- Pressurized spray systems for applying chloride.
- Water pumps for dewatering.
- Hydro-seeders.
- Straw mulchers.
- Excavators.
- Turbine Blowers.
- Shoulder Maintainers.
One equipment grant award will be made.
How Your Community Applies
The 5-page fillable form and supporting materials are submitted via email.
The deadline for applying is June 15, 2026, prior to 2 pm.
Make Your Community’s Application Competitive
- Do not merge individual documents into a single PDF file; send the form and supporting materials as separate documents. The quality of application(s) and adherence to solicitation response requirements and/or restrictions are considered reflective of the way the applicant could be expected to conduct business and will be considered during application evaluation.
- Submit your municipality's Subrecipient Annual Report to the State on time. These Reports are due 90 days after the end of your municipality's fiscal year.
- Ongoing training is one of the evaluation criteria. Municipalities that provide training on work zones to their staff score higher for the temporary lighting and sign package grants. Municipalities that provide training on roadway maintenance and equipment safety score higher on the equipment grant.
- Your municipality may apply for one grant or all three grants; however, it will only be eligible to receive one award in total.
Where You Can Learn More
The Notice of Funding can be found at Notice of Funding Opportunities | Agency of Transportation.
Contact Tricia Scribner, Administrative Services Manager III, with questions at tricia.scribner@vermont.gov.
Find Grant Writing or Grant/Project Management Help
VLCT published a resource, Increasing Municipal Capacity for Grants, that offers ideas for assistance with grants. Many of the capacity builders also provide project management services. Hiring experienced project management assistance can increase the speed of project development and help avoid cost, permitting, and other development surprises.