INFRA Grants

Background
The Department of Transportation is combining three major discretionary grant programs into one Multimodal Projects Discretionary Grant (MPDG) opportunity to reduce the burden for state and local applicants and increase the pipeline of 'shovel-worthy' projects that are now possible because of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These investments will create good-paying jobs, grow the economy, reduce emissions, improve safety, make transportation more sustainable and resilient, and expand transportation options in rural America and other underserved communities.

Grant Details
The purpose of this notice is to solicit applications for three funding opportunities: the National Infrastructure Project Assistance grants program (Mega), the Nationally Significant Multimodal Freight and Highways Projects grants program (INFRA), and the Rural Surface Transportation Grant program (Rural). The combined solicitation will allow applicants to apply for two or all three of these funding opportunities by submitting only one application. Funds for the INFRA, Mega, and Rural funding opportunities will be awarded on a competitive basis for surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant national or regional impact, or to improve and expand the surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants for Mega grants include a State or a group of States, a metropolitan planning organization, a unit of local government, a political subdivision of a State, a special purpose district or public authority with a transportation function, including a port authority, a Tribal government or a consortium of Tribal governments, a partnership between Amtrak and 1 or more entities described above, and a group of entities described in any of the above categories.

Eligible applicants for INFRA grants include similar entities as Mega grants but also include Federal land management agencies that apply jointly with a State or group of States, multistate corridor organizations, or multistate or multijurisdictional groups of entities described in the notice.

Eligible applicants for Rural grants include States, regional transportation planning organizations, units of local government, tribal governments or consortia of tribal governments.

Period of Performance
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EDT on May 23, 2022. The Grants.gov 'Apply' function will open by March 25, 2022.

Grant Value
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law makes available up to $5 billion for the Mega program for the period of FY 2022 through 2026; up to $8 billion to the INFRA program for the period of FY 2022 through 2026; and up to $2 billion for the Rural program for the period of FY 2022 through 2026. This notice solicits applications for up to $2.85 billion in FY 2022 MPDG opportunity funds.

Place of Performance
Projects funded under this grant opportunity will be performed in various locations across different states.