Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program

Background
The Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program (RURAL) was created in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. It will support projects to improve and expand the surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas. The aim is to increase connectivity, improve the safety and reliability of the movement of people and freight, and generate regional economic growth and improve quality of life.

Grant Details
The Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant common application (MPDG) provides Federal financial assistance to various types of projects, including highway and bridge, intercity passenger rail, railway-highway grade and separation, wildlife crossing, public transportation, marine highway, and freight and multimodal projects. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 MPDG awards will be made for each of the three grant programs as appropriate and consistent with each grant program’s statutory language. The FY 2022 MPDG round will be implemented in alignment with the priorities in Executive Order 14052, Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (86 FR 64355), focusing on supporting projects that improve safety, economic strength and global competitiveness, equity, and climate and sustainability consistent with the Department’s strategic goals.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants for Rural grants include a State; a regional transportation planning organization; a unit of local government; a tribal government or a consortium of tribal governments; or a multijurisdictional group of entities above.

Period of Performance
The Rural program is authorized at 23 U.S.C. § 173. It is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law which provides funds for the period of FY 2022 through 2026.

Grant Value
The Department solicits applications for up to $2.85 billion in FY 2022 MPDG opportunity funds. Up to $300 million will be made available for the Rural funding opportunities program.

Place of Performance
Projects eligible for Rural grants include highway, bridge, or tunnel projects eligible under National Highway Performance Program; highway freight projects eligible under National Highway Freight Program; highway safety improvement projects; projects on publicly-owned highways or bridges that provide or increase access to an agricultural, commercial, energy, or intermodal facility that supports the economy of a rural area; or projects to develop integrated mobility management systems.