The Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality (CMAQ) program funds projects that reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and help urban areas make progress toward meeting federal clean air standards. The Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA) typically holds a program solicitation every two years. Approximately $40 million is available for the NOACA region for project implementation. Projects are selected through a statewide competitive process.

The 2025 CMAQ Program Application is closed. NOACA anticipates announcing the next project funding solicitation in early calendar year 2027. 

Eligible Projects

CMAQ funds may be used to establish new or expanded transportation projects or programs that reduce emissions, including capital investments in transportation infrastructure (bicycle and pedestrian transportation facilities), congestion relief efforts (roundabouts, signal timing upgrades), transit vehicle replacements, diesel engine retrofits, or other capital projects. Projects that add new capacity for single occupancy vehicles are ineligible for CMAQ funding. Operating projects or programs are also eligible for CMAQ funding, but are limited to new transit, commuter and intercity passenger rail services, intermodal facilities, travel demand management strategies, van pool programs, and the incremental cost of expanding these services. Air quality education and outreach programs are also eligible.  

What Does The CMAQ Program Provide?

The CMAQ program provides 80 percent of total eligible project costs and the minimum local share is 20 percent, which must be provided from local, state, or other non‐federal sources. Costs associated with a non‐CMAQ funded phase are not considered as part of the local share. 

More Information

General information regarding Federal CMAQ program guidance can be found on the Federal Highway Administration's Air Quality website.

CMAQ Frequently Asked Questions

If the timing of the Board/Community resolution occurs after the due date, can we submit it late?

Yes, as long as:

1. NOACA staff is notified ahead of time
2. NOACA staff determines the resolution will be submitted within a reasonable time frame

Can a community submit the same resolution supporting a CMAQ project if they are resubmitting a previously un-funded application?

Yes, as long as the conditions of the original project application, such as project scope and costs, have not changed

Is the approximately $40 million allocation for the NOACA region a sub-allocation?

No, it is a regional target. The actual regional funding amount depends on how many strong applications come in from the region compared to other applications state-wide.

If an applicant was funded in a previous CMAQ round, would that negatively impact their score for this round?

No, it would not.

If a project is located within more than 1 MPO region, does the applicant
have to submit to both MPOs?

The application could do 1 of 2 things:

1. Submit the entire CMAQ eligible project scope to BOTH MPOs. Each will score the application, and the average score will be considered by the Statewide-CMAQ committee.
2. Break the project up in to two components, each within separate MPO jurisdiction, and apply for each phase separately.