USDOT Technical Assistance, Resources & Funding Opportunities

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The full suite of US Department of Transportation (USDOT) technical assistance resources can be accessed at Search Technical Assistance Resources | US Department of Transportation.

  • DOT launches “Meaningful Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-making Virtual Training” series on March 6, 2024 – 9:00 am – 12:00 pm PT. Facilitated by DOT public involvement experts, this training will provide an overview of key public involvement concepts, approaches, and strategies from DOT’s Promising Practices for Meaningful Public Involvement in Transportation Decision-Making. Registration is required to attend – register here by March 1, 2024 to be considered for the March 6th webinar.

  • On February 14, DOT published the 2023 update of its Equity Action Plan. The 2023 update of the DOT Equity Action Plan outlines new actions DOT is committing to across the following five focus areas: Wealth Creation; Power of Community; Proactive Intervention, Planning, and Capacity Building; Expanding Access; and Institutionalizing Equity. A number of resources are available on the Equity Action Plans, including a White House Fact Sheet, White House Equity Action Plan Progress Report, the White House’s Equity webpage with Equity Action Plan snapshots, and copies of Equity Action Plans from across the Federal government.

  • Data and Mapping Tools Navigator page is updated to include information on several tools, including the Freight Analysis Framework, National Highway Freight Network, Port Performance Freight Statistics Program, the National Highway System website, Federal Rail Administration (FRA) Safety Map, FRA Grade Crossing Inventory, and the Justice40 Rail Explorer. Find these and a number of other data and mapping tools related to climate, equity, safety, transportation analysis, and other specialized analysis on the Navigator.

  • The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation is hosting a webinar on February 27, 2024, 11:00 am-12:00 pm PT on Curbside EV Charging Strategies. Participants will learn about best practices, challenges, and strategies for effectively planning, deploying, and operating EV curbside charging projects. Register for the webinar here, and view past webinar recordings.

  • DOT’s Climate Change Center is hosting a 2024 webinar series on climate change and transportation topics, ranging from greenhouse gas reduction strategies to climate resilience activities to research and technology advancements. The next webinar on March 25, 2024, and will focus on Transit-Oriented Development. Registration is open for all webinars – register here!

Other Grant Opportunities

  • DOT is offering $2.97 million through its new Mobility Equity Research Initiative, which seeks to advance research and technologies that support the Department’s goal of expanding accessibility and mobility to underserved communities, including people with disabilities, older Americans, and rural and disadvantaged communities. DOT is seeking proposals that will produce research results and tools that build on or complement existing data and systems such as those found on https://equity-dot.gov/. Applicants must be established and located in the United States or its territories or on Tribal lands. Applications are due by March 5, 2024.

  • DOT is offering a $25 million funding opportunity for its Rural Autonomous Vehicle (RAV) research program. Accredited universities are eligible to apply for this competitive, six-year cooperative agreement program. Recipients will use RAV program funding to conduct research regarding the benefits and responsible application of automated vehicles and associated mobility technologies in rural and Tribal communities. More information about the competition is posted on the RAV NOFO Questions and Answers page, and you can find a recording from the informational webinar held in January here. Applications are due by March 13, 2024.

  • FHWA is accepting applications to improve the nation’s bridges through the competitive Bridge Investment Program’s “Planning” and “Bridge Project” categories, which fund bridge planning, repair, and replacement projects under $100 million. FHWA has provided a Bridge Project Application Template and Planning Grant Application Template and highly encourages applicants to use the templates for their applications. Visit FHWA’s Website to find more information, including an informational webinar recording. Technical assistance is also available to recipients who receive Bridge Investment Program grants. Applications for this round of planning and bridge project funding must be submitted by March 19, 2024, via Grants.gov.

  • FTA is offering $1.5 billion in FY 2024 funding to support state and local efforts to buy or modernize buses, improve bus facilities, and support workforce development through its Low- or No-Emission Program. The funding opportunity will advance FTA’s priorities of strengthening U.S. bus manufacturing, containing vehicle costs, and accelerating the delivery of new vehicles. The opportunity introduces streamlined application requirements for Tribes requesting less than $1 million, making it easier for Tribes with relatively small requests to apply. FTA will host two webinars on February 22 and March 5, 2024 to provide information to potential applicants, including a review of program eligibility, an overview of the evaluation criteria and selection considerations, and the submission process. Register for both webinars here. Applications are due by April 25, 2024.

  • The Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) is a discretionary grant program administered by the Maritime Administration. Funds for the PIDP are awarded on a competitive basis to projects that improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods into, out of, around, or within a port. Find more information about the $450 million available for FY 2024. Applications are due by April 30, 2024.

Additional FHWA Grant Application Resources

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