Is there an attendee list so we can connect or partner with them for the proposed pilot projects? 

Metro is unable to release the personal identifying information of individual attendees from the VSF Innovation Forum. You can find a list of attending organizations HERE. 

Is there a recording of the event?

Yes. It can be found HERE. 

Are private companies and private transit operators eligible as applicants?* 

No. Only Los Angeles County-based public transit operators are eligible to apply to VSF. However, eligible applicants may team in any arrangement with private companies, public entities, nonprofits/advocacy groups and research/academic organizations in their grant application.

Are applicants allowed to submit multiple proposals? 

Yes. Eligible applicants may submit multiple proposals. Each proposal must be submitted under separate cover and include all required documents for a complete submission. 

Can Metro employees who do not administer VSF discuss potential projects and give guidance to potential applicants and research partners? 

Metro is an eligible applicant and therefore Metro staff may meet with other potential applicants and research partners to discuss ideas and proposals. However, neither Metro staff nor external parties who serve on the VSF evaluation committee may participate in a VSF application. 

Does a bike master plan with bike lane demonstration qualify for VSF award dollars?*

The Visionary Seed Fund is a competitive grant program that will help fund projects that aim to demonstrate novel and innovative approaches to attract riders to the public transportation system in Los Angeles County. Applicants should demonstrate how their project would increase ridership and is a way to experiment with new or creative ways to engage riders.

What qualifies as “transit” under VSF?*

“Transit” includes mobility services operated by Los Angeles County-based public transit operators, including but not limited to: bus, rail, bikeshare, rideshare, and other publicly managed mobility services. For the purposes of this grant opportunity, Metro remains mode-agnostic, so long as the application demonstrates how the projects increases public transit ridership.

Is my organization eligible as a research partner? 

Eligible research partners include private for-profit entities, not-for-profit organizations, other operators of transportation services, state or local government entities and academic institutions. 

Are research partners allowed to partner on multiple proposals? 

Yes. Research partners may partner on multiple proposals. 

What are the commitments that the research partner needs to have throughout the project?*

The research partner is responsible for preparing the post-implementation research report that evaluates the effectiveness of the project. It is up to the applicant to determine what role(s) or responsibilities, if any, the research partner will have during the planning and implementation phases of the project. The research partner is not required to have or limited by any role(s) or responsibilities during the planning and implementation stages of the project.

Are foreign organizations eligible to apply?*

Only Los Angeles County-based public transit operators are eligible to apply to VSF. However, eligible applicants may team in any arrangement with private companies, public entities, nonprofits/advocacy groups and research/academic organizations in their grant application. Foreign organizations are eligible to team with an applicant but must comply with all Metro Board and Grant Award policies as well as any applicable local, state, and federal requirements. It is the responsibility on both applicants and project partners to ensure compliance.

Please let us know how our team can partner with Metro on this grant opportunity.*

Project partners interested in collaborating with LA County public transit operators, including Metro, are solely responsible for preparing and executing their own partnering strategy. The Visionary Seed Fund program manager cannot facilitate an introduction during an active Notice of Funding Opportunity.

Are all proposed project expenses eligible?*   

Most project-related costs are refundable as long as they 1) directly link back to the development of the proposed project, 2) are outlined in the budget approved as part of the Grant Agreement. VSF funds cannot be used to reimburse any pre-award costs, application preparation costs of the VSF grant, or cost overruns.

Can research partners provide a portion of the required local match funding? 

Yes. The local match funding can come from a variety of sources, including project partners.

Can an agency’s annual allocation of Local Return Funds, including Measures R and M, be used as match for VSF?*

Yes. Local match dollars can come from a variety of sources, including Local Return.

Is there a maximum project cost for proposals?*

No. However, Metro anticipates granting up to six awards with the available funds.

When will award announcements be made? 

Metro plans to announce grant awards in Summer 2023. 

When does the 30-month project period start? Could a potential applicant expect to begin programming funds before the end of 2023? 

The 30-month timeline for project development, implementation and evaluation begins upon the date of execution of the grant agreement between Metro and the selected applicant. At this time, Metro expects grant agreements to be executed before the end of calendar year 2023. 

What will be the process for reviewing proposals? 

The evaluation committee will score proposals based on the criteria outlined in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. The evaluators will then make a funding recommendation to Metro’s CEO and the Board for approval. 

Who will evaluate VSF proposals?*

Proposals will be reviewed and scored by an evaluation committee comprised of Metro and non-Metro staff. Individuals who are part of a VSF grant submission are not eligible to participate in the evaluation committee.

Do applications need to be in a specific format?*

Applications should be submitted as a pdf file. Applications must not adhere to a specific style. Applications must include the application form and required exhibits to be deemed responsive. Please keep application sections up to the recommended page/paragraph length.

Do applications need to be one file?*

No, applications may be submitted as multiple files in pdf format. Please include all necessary files on a single email.

When will the next cycle take place?*

The next VSF grant cycle will likely take place in 2026.

Is the list of applicants from past VSF cycles?*

No. 2023 is the inaugural cycle for VSF.