USDOT opened the Notice of Funding Opportunity for a new technical assistance Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program. The NOFO combines two years of funding (Fiscal Years 2022 and 2023) at $3.4 million to provide grants to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis. Individual awards will range in value up to the statutory limit of $360,000. As part of the USDOT Administration’s commitment to advancing equity and opportunity for all American Indians and Alaska Natives, the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program will set aside up to $800,000 in each fiscal year for Tribal applicants.
There is no local funding match required to participate in this program. Grants may be used to hire staff or advisors to assist with early development-phase activities including, but not limited to, feasibility studies; preliminary engineering and design; environmental review; revenue forecasting; financial feasibility analysis; statutory and regulatory analysis and drafting and negotiation of agreements. The Build America Bureau has created a simple, four-page funding application, available here, and will begin accepting submissions at 11:00 am PT on August 14, 2023. USDOT hosted a free informational webinar to provide more information for interested applicants and a recording of the webinar and a copy of the presentation are available here.
