North Texas Advanced Air Mobility Readiness Call for Projects

The Call for Projects is open, and we are accepting project applications. The deadline to submit applications is August 7, 2026, 5 PM CST.

The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is announcing the North Texas Advanced Air Mobility Readiness Call for Projects to support near-term airport infrastructure improvements that help prepare the region for the next generation of aviation activity. Through this initiative, NCTCOG is making one million dollars ($1,000,000) in Regional Transportation Council local funding available to eligible public-use airports in the 12-county NCTCOG region for electric charging infrastructure that supports Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft readiness.

This Call for Projects is intended to help airports move from planning to implementation by supporting practical infrastructure investments that improve AAM readiness. Eligible projects should demonstrate how the proposed charging infrastructure will prepare the airport to support future eVTOL operations, attract operators or private-sector partners, strengthen regional AAM deployment opportunities, and align with existing airport planning documents such as the Airport Layout Plan or Airport Master Plan.

Background

North Texas is positioned to play a leading role in the development, testing, and eventual deployment of AAM technologies. Regional airports are central to that effort. Airports participating in, supporting, or aligning with the Federal Aviation Administration’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), the Center for Advanced Aviation Technologies (CAAT), and related regional AAM planning activities are strongly encouraged to apply. These initiatives will depend on a connected network of prepared airports that can support future demonstrations, operational testing, charging needs, aircraft staging, public-private partnerships, and long-term aviation innovation.

By investing in airport readiness now, North Texas can better position its aviation system to support FAA, CAAT, TxDOT, airport, industry, and local government efforts to advance safe, scalable, and regionally beneficial AAM operations. The goal of this program is not only to fund individual airport improvements, but also to help build a coordinated regional network of airports capable of supporting future AAM demonstrations, early operations, and long-term electric aviation growth.

Eligible Applicants

To participate in the AAM Call for Projects, airports must:

• Be a public-use airport located within the 12-county NCTCOG region (Entities include those located in Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, and Wise counties).
• If an airport operator, be sponsored by a public partner agency (i.e., city, county, state, etc.).

Funding

One million dollars ($1,000,000 in total Regional Transportation Council (RTC) local funding is available to support Advanced Air Mobility electric charging infrastructure purchases. The maximum award per applicant is two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000). Funding is competitive and not guaranteed. Costs incurred before RTC approval of award or execution of an Agreement with NCTCOG will not be eligible for reimbursement.

There are no match requirements for this program.  Projects will be funded at 100 percent with Regional Transportation Council local funds.

For purposes of this Call for Projects, eligible expenses are limited to the cost of the eVTOL charger and other infrastructure directly required to install and make the charger operational on the airport site. The direct result of the funded project must culminate in an eVTOL charger installed on site. Stand-alone enabling projects, including electrical upgrades, utility improvements, site work, software, networking, warranties, operations and maintenance, or other improvements that do not directly terminate with an eVTOL charger on site, are not eligible.

A feasible and implementable project should identify a specific charger or charger type, proposed installation location, realistic schedule, cost documentation, and any necessary coordination with the airport sponsor, utility provider, and prospective user, operator, or partner. Applications should also include available equipment specifications, anticipated charging requirements, and documentation demonstrating compatibility with the intended eVTOL use case or prospective operator/OEM requirements. NCTCOG is looking to accommodate airfields that are engaged with, aligned with, or positioned to support CAAT, eIPP, TxDOT AAM activities, regional AAM corridors, or another impending operational, demonstration, or partnership need for an eVTOL charger.

Evaluation Criteria

Airports will be evaluated based on:

• Consistency with Advanced Air Mobility within the Airport Layout Plan and/or the Airport Master Plan (30%).
• Demonstrated understanding of AAM technologies and infrastructure requirements (40%).
• Demonstrated potential to attract AAM operators or private investment (5%).
• Strength of partnerships and implementation timeline (25%).

NCTCOG may select full or partial funding for projects and is not obligated to award all available funds.

Schedule

Application Requirements

Applicants should be prepared to clearly define:

• A project description
• An estimated project schedule
• Cost estimate and supporting documentation
• Regional benefit
• Documentation demonstrating consistency with Airport Layout Plan and/or Airport Master Plan

Projects must align with NCTCOG aviation planning and education priorities and demonstrate measurable readiness. NCTCOG reserves the right to request additional documentation.

Funding Administration and Reimbursement of Expenses 

• Selected applicants will be notified in writing of their selection and the funding amount awarded.
• Project activities may not begin until execution of an Agreement with NCTCOG.
• Costs must be reasonable, necessary, actual, and eligible under the program guidelines.

How to Apply

For applications to be considered, three (3) signed copies of the application and supporting materials submitted “in hand” to NCTCOG offices, and one (1) electronic copy should be submitted to TransRFPS@nctcog.org. An in-hand submittal may consist of either a hard-copy application or a flash drive delivered by the deadline. Flash drives that are unreadable or contain corrupted files will be considered nonresponsive. The in-hand submittal will count as the official submittal. An electronic submittal should also be sent to TransRFPs@nctcog.org. However, the electronic submittal is not sufficient to constitute an application on its own and will only be considered a courtesy/convenience copy.

In addition to the hard copy submittal, NCTCOG is testing a new e-procurement system and encourages a courtesy electronic submission of the application through Bidnet at https://www.bidnetdirect.com/texas/nctcog . Instructions for how to submit through Bidnet can be found on the NCTCOG purchasing page at https://www.nctcog.org/agency-administration/purchasing.

Electronic documents must be submitted in PDF format.

• Graphics (maps, diagrams, renderings): PDF, JPEG, or bitmap format.
• Applications containing original signatures should be labeled “Original.”
• No supplemental information (other than administrative clarifications) will be accepted after the application deadline.

Deadline: In accordance with Call for Projects Procedures, or similar mechanism, established by the Regional Transportation Council Bylaws, NCTCOG must have the submitted project applications “in hand” at the NCTCOG offices by 5:00 pm CST on August 7, 2026. Applications received after that time will not be considered and will be returned to the applicant unopened. A postmark by the established deadline does not constitute an on-time application. Project sponsors are encouraged to submit their applications far enough in advance of the submission deadline to allow NCTCOG staff to review applications for completeness.

Submittal Addresses: Mail: North Central Texas Council of Governments Transportation Department Attn: Ernest Huffman, Program Manager P.O. Box 5888 Arlington, Texas 76005-5888 Physical Location: North Central Texas Council of Governments Transportation Department Attn: Ernest Huffman, Program Manager 616 Six Flags Drive Arlington, Texas 76011.

Eligible airports must submit a complete application by the deadline identified in this Call for Projects. 

For additional information and clarification, see the AAM CFP Information Packet.