The Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) is continuously accepting applications to the Arizona State Match Advantage for Rural Transportation (AZ SMART) Fund, subject to available funding. The program helps eligible applicants compete for federal discretionary grants for surface transportation projects.
Eligible applicants and projects
Applicants must be eligible for, and pursuing, a federal discretionary grant for surface transportation purposes. Current controlling materials allow qualifying Arizona public entities and other organizations when they are eligible under the associated federal grant.
Eligible projects are surface transportation projects allowed by the federal discretionary grant identified in the AZ SMART application, including road, bridge, transit, rail, bicycle, pedestrian and trail projects where applicable.
Eligible uses and cost share
AZ SMART may reimburse eligible costs for grant development and submission, the required non-federal match for a federal grant, and qualifying design or other engineering services. Grant Development and Submission funding is limited to qualifying smaller jurisdictions and reimburses no more than 50% of actual eligible costs. Match funding may not exceed the non-federal match required by the associated federal grant; excess match is the applicant’s responsibility.
Funding and timing
There is no single fixed per-award maximum stated for the program. A request may not exceed the estimated cost of the applicable eligible use, and the State Transportation Board may approve, deny or modify a request. Funding is divided among statutory categories and current balances change over time.
Applications are accepted continuously based on available funding. There is no fixed application deadline or deadline time zone.
Application requirements
Applicants must use the current AZ SMART application materials, obtain required COG/MPO approval, prepare the required project budget and supporting documentation, and submit through the live online application. The current application materials identified by ADOT were revised September 23, 2025.
Atlas analysis
Atlas Opportunity Score: 76/100. N9+ Fit: 0/100. QC Healthcare Fit: 0/100. This is a legitimate, active Arizona-administered transportation funding pathway. No credible healthcare-technology or remote-exam pathway is established, so N9+ and QC Healthcare should not be introduced or forced into ordinary outreach. Applicant-specific advancement should occur only after verifying a real eligible project, the associated federal discretionary grant, current category funding and all normal CRM recipient and deduplication controls.
Official source: Arizona Department of Transportation — AZ SMART Fund.