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Municipal ADA Improvement Grant Program

Funding to municipalities for Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-related planning and capital improvements

The Municipal ADA Improvement Grant provides funding to Massachusetts cities and towns to improve accessibility for people with disabilities. Funding supports updating a municipality’s ADA Self Evaluation and Transition plans and making capital improvements that improve access or remove barriers in municipal programs, services, and facilities.

This grant is administered by the Massachusetts Office on Disability (MOD).

Please Note: The FY25 application is now closed. The FY26 application will open on May 1, 2025.

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The FY26 grant application will be open from May 1, 2025 at 9 AM to June 13, 2025 at 5 PM

Eligibility

Eligible:

  • Massachusetts municipalities who are a member (or are willing to become a member) of the Community Compact Cabinet (CCC), and
  • Municipally owned properties in eligible municipalities

Not eligible:

  • Private businesses, private property, non-profit organizations, private homes, or other non-municipal properties
  • Items such as, but not limited to: design plans, feasibility studies, and applicant salaries

Grant types

There are two grant types available:

  1. Planning grants
  2. Project grants

Planning grants

Planning grants are awarded for updating or creating a Self-Evaluation and/or Transition Plan as required under the administrative requirements of Title II of the ADA.

Applications for planning grants must include the following supporting documentation at the time of submission:

  • Name and contact information for the municipal ADA Coordinator,
  • Non-discrimination notice and proof of posting, and
  • ADA grievance procedure

Project grants

Project grants are awarded for improvements or barrier removal related to physical and communication access at municipal properties or municipally owned facilities.

Applications for project grants require the following supporting documentation at the time of submission:

  • Completed ADA Self-Evaluation,
  • Completed ADA Transition Plan,
  • ADA grievance procedure,
  • Non-discrimination notice and proof of posting,
  • Name and contact information for the municipal ADA Coordinator, and
  • Detailed, itemized cost estimates

Note: Eligible project grant expenses

Only capital-related expenses are covered. Design plans, feasibility studies, applicant salaries, and other non-capital-related costs are not eligible for grant funds. They can be in-kind services or covered by the applicant.

Items purchased, architectural changes made, and other grant-funded projects must comply with the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board's rules and regulations (521 CMR) and/or the 2010 ADA Design Standards. 

MOD can assist awarded communities with evaluating whether prospective components funded through the grant program meet these requirements. We recommend supplying plans, drawings, or spec sheets with your application.

How grant applications are scored

  • Applicants must be a member, or be willing to become a member, of the Community Compact Cabinet (CCC) to be eligible to apply for a grant.
  • The following actions will strengthen your application score:

Grant timeline

  • May 1, 2025: FY26 Application submission period begins. Only online submissions will be reviewed.  
  • June 13, 2025: FY26 Application submission period ends.
  • Fall, 2025: Grant award winners are announced.
  • June 30, 2026: All invoices must be dated within the fiscal year.
  • July 11, 2026: All invoices must be submitted for reimbursement.
  • August, 2026: Reimbursements distributed.

Grant information sessions

Attend a grant information session to learn more about the grant and application process, including tips to strengthen your application and a Q&A. You can join an information session before, during, or after completing your grant application. Register for an information session for the FY26 grant cycle:

You can also watch a recorded grant information session on MOD's YouTube channel.

Apply for a grant

Before completing your application, we recommend you:

  • Learn more about the grant. Review the information on this page about types of grants, eligibility, and how applications are scored.
  • Attend an information session. See MOD’s events page for upcoming grant information sessions or watch the information session recording on our YouTube page. These will be held in the spring leading up to the grant application submission period.
  • Review the application page for important information about how to submit your application. Failing to follow the instructions on the application page could result in unsuccessful application submission attempts.
  • Review the practice application and other resources on the application page.

Apply for a grant online. Hard copies will not be accepted.

Past grant recipients

Annual reports

Contact

For questions relating to the administration and the application process, please contact:

Evan George, ADA Grant Compliance Coordinator
Email: Evan.George@mass.gov

Last updated: March 5, 2025

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