The full suite of DOT technical assistance resources can be accessed at Search Technical Assistance Resources | US Department of Transportation.
New Technical Assistance Resources
• Visit Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) new website regarding Every Day Counts Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Initiative (EDC-7).
• FHWA’s new Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL) Handbook and PEL Flowcharts provide practitioners with guidance that supports implementing PEL approaches during the environmental review process. PEL is a valuable tool for creating efficiencies in the transportation project development process that supports agencies’ efforts to accelerate project delivery.
• FHWA added two new videos to its Transportation Planning Capacity Building Website. A Federal Transportation Planning Process video explains the typical transportation planning process (based on the USDOT Transportation Planning Process Briefing Book), and provides an introduction to the transportation planning process conducted by public agencies. The Federal Transportation Planning Funds video explains the process to ensure that federal funding is being used to plan a safe and efficient transportation system according to laws and regulations.
• The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center published the informational brief, Creating Accessible, Equitable, Safe, and Complete Networks for Young Pedestrians. The brief offers transportation professionals considerations and ideas to integrate child and youth needs in active transportation planning and projects to better understand travel patterns, key destinations, and distinct travel modes.
• The National Cooperative Highway Research Program published the report, Advancing Gender Equity in the Department of Transportation (DOT) Workforce. The report explores transportation agency programs and policies focused on addressing gender imbalances and improving workforce diversity. The report provides a literature review examining information available on the challenges and benefits of achieving a gender balanced workforce in transportation, including data available on strategies and practices to address the low representation of women in staff positions.
• FHWA’s Guidelines on Preparing Engineer’s Estimate, Bid Reviews and Evaluation provides guidance and recommended procedures for preparing the engineer’s estimate for reviewing bids. Find more resources like this in the USDOT Project Delivery Center of Excellence Toolbox, which provides a collection of resources related to project delivery, including project management, risk management, project development and implementation, public involvement, and more. Subscribe to the Project Delivery Center of Excellence listserv.
Upcoming USDOT Funding Resources and Opportunities
The 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 list below spotlights just a few of the currently open funding opportunities – visit the Grants Dashboard to find more Notice of Funding Opportunities!
New and Notable!
• The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the availability of $316 million to support and modernize passenger ferry service in communities across the country. Funding is available through the Passenger Ferry Program ($51 million), the Electric or Low Emitting Ferry Program ($49 million), and the Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program ($216 million). Find more information on the FTA website.
Applications are due via grants.gov by June 17, 2024.
Closing Soon!
• 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, INFRA and Rural programs has been streamlined into the single Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant Program (MPDG). Eligible applicants and eligible project types vary by program. 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 are due May 6, 2024, on grants.gov.
Other Grant Opportunities
Closing in May
• The Build America Bureau is accepting applications for its Innovative Finance and Asset Concession Grant Program. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) allocates funds for fiscal years 2022, 2023, and 2024, totaling $57.72 million in available grant funding. Applications due May 10, 2024 for technical assistance grants and expert services grants.
• DOT’s Maritime Administration (MARAD)’s $450 million Fiscal Year 2024 Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) will support 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. 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 FY 2024 NOFO. The FY 2024 SS4A NOFO has multiple application deadlines depending on the grant type. Implementation Grant applications must be submitted by 2:00 pm PT on Thursday, May 16, 2024.
Planning and Demonstration Grant applicants have three deadlines:
May 16, 2024 2:00 pm PT
August 29, 2024 2:00 pm PT
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.
• FHWA’s Office of Office of Freight Management and Operations is accepting applications for its new Strategic Innovation for Revenue Collection (SIRC) program. 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. The primary goal of the program is to fund pilot projects that develop feasibility research, tests, evaluations, or deployment of a road usage fee and other user-based alternative revenue mechanisms. Application deadline May 27, 2024
• 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 FY 2023-2024 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 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, using 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 will focus on building networks of connected bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure improvements, including to better connect trail networks between communities. The funding is available for states, local and Tribal governments, as well as metropolitan and regional planning organizations, and applicants can 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
• The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is requesting input on individuals’ and organizations’ experiences with engaging in federal public participation and community engagement (PPCE) activities. Individuals and organizations are encouraged to provide ideas related to the type of content that would be effective and informative for federal agencies to adopt, as well as commentary on specific steps to take to ensure underserved communities are part of the development of PPCE. The Request for Information (RFI) closes May 17, 2024.
• Smart Growth America released the “Complete Streets Leadership Academies Report” highlighting efforts in Alaska, California, Connecticut, and Tennessee to reduce traffic fatalities among pedestrians, people of color, and those in low-income areas along arterial roadways. The Complete Streets Leadership Academies initiative brought together local government staff, community advocates, and a range of other stakeholders to pilot Complete Streets quick-build projects in communities, with grants to support the implementation of the projects.
• AARP developed an interactive map providing users with a view of local community-improving projects from the annual AARP Community Challenge, as well as localities enrolled in the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities. Community Challenge highlights featured in the map include projects such as the Active Living Indiana project, which installed crosswalk striping, foliage, and a temporary bicycle path to support active transportation for all ages in Fort Wayne, IN.
• The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has two new forum-based tools for engaging community groups in learning about hydrogen-based systems and community benefit plans: “Harnessing Hydrogen” and “Community Benefits Planning”, both of which are currently available to stakeholders. The forums are open-source and available free of charge for anyone to use. These forums may be particularly helpful for communities, civic organizations, educators, and businesses and can be used together or separately. Public forums are deliberative workshops originally developed by the National Informal STEM Education Network to support public conversations about emerging technologies with complex legal, ethical and social implications. If you wish to use these materials for your community or project, please contact energyjustice@hq.doe.gov.
• Led by the U.S. Department of Labor, the Good Jobs Initiative (GJI) is focused on improving job quality, empowering workers, and creating access to good jobs for all working people, including people with disabilities. In October 2023, GJI hosted a webinar on Creating Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities, where attendees heard from a variety of employers and people with disabilities who demonstrated how the Good Jobs Principles lead to meaningful employment. Presentation slides and an event recording from the October webinar are available here.
• The Department of Labor’s Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations (WANTO) program helps to expand pathways for women to enter and lead in all industries. The program funds organizations to provide technical assistance related to developing pre-apprenticeship or nontraditional skills training programs to prepare women for their careers; providing ongoing orientations for employers, unions, and workers to create an environment for women to succeed in their careers; and setting up support groups, facilitating networks, or providing support services for women to improve their retention. Find the funding announcement here. Applications due June 10, 2024
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
