The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) Discretionary Grants Dashboard provides communities with an overview of discretionary grant opportunities that can help meet their transportation infrastructure needs. The Dashboard also includes Federal grant programs outside of DOT that may be of particular interest to rural communities. The below list spotlights just a few of the currently open funding opportunities – visit the Grants Dashboard to find more or check out the calendar of open and upcoming grant opportunities!
New and Notable!
• The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is accepting applications for its Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, which provides funding for projects that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail. See the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-2024 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for more information. Visit FRA’s Webinars page to view presentation materials from the April 9 FY23-24 CRISI NOFO Webinar. Applications due: May 28, 2024, 8:59 pm PT
Closing Soon!
• Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is accepting applications for its $1.5 billion FY 2024 Low- or No-Emission Program to support state and local efforts to buy or modernize buses, improve bus facilities, and support workforce development. 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. Applications due: April 25, 2024
Other Grant Opportunities
Closing in May
• DOT is accepting applications for approximately $5.1 billion in funding for projects of regional or national significance for three major discretionary grant programs. The application process for the Mega Program, Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA), and Rural Surface Transportation Grant (Rural) programs has been streamlined into the single Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant Program (MPDG). For details on prior year MPDG awards, see 2023-2024 Mega Awards, 2023-2024 INFRA Awards, and 2023-2024 Rural Surface Transportation Grant Awards. Applications due: May 6, 2024
• The Build America Bureau is accepting applications for its Innovative Finance and Asset Concession Grant Program. The program makes $100 million available over five years to assist public entities in facilitating and evaluating public-private partnerships and exploring innovative financing and delivery opportunities for Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) eligible projects. The NOFO allocates funds for fiscal years 2022, 2023, and 2024, totaling $57.72 million in available grant funding. Applications for technical assistance grants and expert services grants due: May 10, 2024
• DOT’s Maritime Administration (MARAD)’s $450 million Fiscal Year 2024 Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) supports efforts by ports and industry stakeholders to improve port and related freight infrastructure to meet the nation’s freight transportation needs and ensure port infrastructure can meet anticipated growth in freight volumes. The PIDP provides funding to ports in both urban and rural areas for planning and capital projects. 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. View the PIDP NOFO.
Applications due: May 10, 2024
• The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) discretionary grant program is accepting applications in response to its Fiscal Year 2024 NOFO. The FY 2024 SS4A NOFO has multiple application deadlines depending on the grant type. A number of webinars have been held to provide more information; the presentation slides and webinar recordings are posted on the SS4A Webinar Series page. Implementation Grant applications must be submitted: May 16, 2024, 2:00 pm PT. Planning and Demonstration Grant applicants have two remaining deadlines: May 16, 2024 and August 29, 2024, 2:00 pm PT
• FHWA’s Office of Freight Management and Operations is accepting applications for its new Strategic Innovation for Revenue Collection (SIRC) program. Up to $15 million per fiscal year from FY 2022 through FY 2024 is available, totaling up to $45 million ($30 million for FY 2022-2023 and $15 million for FY 2024). The purpose of the program is to test the feasibility of a road usage fee and other user-based alternative revenue mechanisms to help maintain the long-term solvency of the Highway Trust Fund. Contact SIRC Program Manager Carlos McCloud. Application deadline: May 27, 2024
Closing in June
• FHWA’s Low Carbon Transportation Materials Program is aimed at lowering air pollution, specifically greenhouse gas emissions, through reimbursement and incentive funding for low carbon construction materials and products used in transportation. FHWA is making $1.2 billion available to States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico through a Request for Applications (RFA) to fund activities and projects that reduce pollution, including carbon emissions, through the use of low-embodied carbon materials and products. States can refer to the Request for Applications (RFA) for State Departments of Transportation page for application information and program details. A Frequently Asked Questions for the State RFA will be posted soon. Applications due: June 10, 2024
• FHWA is accepting applications for up to $44.5 million in funding for projects that will strengthen safety and improve bicycling, walking and access to public transit in communities across the country. FHWA’s new Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program (ATIIP) is a competitive grant program that focuses on building networks of connected bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure improvements, including better connecting trail networks between communities. As part of the program, FHWA awards competitive grants to help communities plan, design, or construct safe and connected active transportation networks such as sidewalks, bikeways, and trails that connect destinations such as schools, workplaces, residences, businesses, recreation areas and medical facilities within a community or metropolitan region. Grants will also be provided for projects used for trails, pedestrian facilities, bikeways and other routes that serve as backbones to connect two or more communities, metropolitan regions, or states. Applicants can also apply for more than one grant. Applications due: June 17, 2024
In preparing your application for any of the above programs, be sure to read the specific Notice of Funding Opportunity and related program materials to ensure your project and organization are eligible and you are meeting other program/application requirements. General information to help prepare for DOT applications can also be found on the DOT Navigator, including the Discretionary Grant Preparation Checklist for Prospective Applicants.
Non-USDOT Capacity Building Resources and Opportunities
With the goal of passing along outside resources specifically designed to build local capacity, especially for disadvantaged urban, rural, and tribal communities, to successfully develop transportation projects and funding applications, the DOT Navigator Bulletin includes opportunities that have been shared with the Department. Their inclusion does not indicate USDOT endorsement.
• The Eno Center for Transportation is hosting a webinar on Creating Successful Bikeshare Programs that are Financially Sustainable. The webinar will include panelists from the public and private sectors in the U.S. and Canada to share insights on how to create financially sustainable programs.
Register:
April 30, 2024
10:00 am PT
Popular USDOT Navigator Grant Application Resources
• Understanding Non-Federal Match Requirements
• Grant Application Checklist for a Strong Transportation Workforce and Labor Plan
• Checklist for a Strong Climate Change Mitigation, Adaptation and Resilience Grant Application
• Federal Tools to Determine Disadvantaged Community Status
• What Is a Benefit-Cost Analysis (BCA)?
• Use of DOT Funds for Public Involvement
Contact the USDOT Federal Highway Administration for assistance.