Federal Grant Information
Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) Competitive Grants
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (Public Law No: 117-58), also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), signed into law on November 15, 2021, is a $1.2 trillion investment in our nation’s infrastructure intended to rebuild America’s roads, bridges and rails, upgrade and expand public transit, modernize the nation’s ports and airports, improve safety, address the climate crisis, advance environmental justice, and invest in communities that have too often been left behind.
The BIL includes five-year reauthorization (FY22-26) of surface transportation programs and direct advanced appropriations. Total transportation funding in this five-year package is over $660 billion. As of November 2022, over $2.6 billion in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding has been announced and is headed to Maryland with over 35 specific projects identified for funding. Maryland is set to receive over $2.2 billion for transportation to invest in roads, bridges, public transit, ports and airports.
In order to provide stakeholders with more visibility into upcoming federal opportunities, MDOT is publishing a list of IIJA grants. This list is not comprehensive and will be updated periodically with new programs and dates. New programs are at varies stages of development. A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is released by a federal agency to announce program specific funding availability. Applicants should consult program-specific guidance in the NOFO.
How Can a You Prepare for IIJA Opportunities?
IIJA creates new competitive grants and expands existing programs. Each will have specific selection criteria, eligibility, and geographic distribution requirements. Grant opportunities are offered annually and can be awarded on a one-time basis over one year or for a project over multiple years These grants are unique to each round of funding authorization.
It is important to identify priorities and key projects for your community, transportation or otherwise. Determine how additional grant funding can help achieve your goals and explore the wide range of available grants to determine which align with your priorities and aspirations.
Review the IIJA Guidebook to identify potential grant avenues to pursue. When you have found a grant that you wish to apply for, evaluate your internal capacity to apply and your ability to manage projects when successful identifying key staff and available resources will help make the most of your effort. Finally, pursue partnerships; collaboration is essential and MDOT is here to help. Every Competitive Grant program is unique. Look to your priorities and tailor each application to match the policy intent, desired outcomes, and specific requirements.
Interactive Map
MDOT has created a Federal Discretionary Grants Interactive Map Application in which you can view/query and research MDOT Federal Discretionary Grants in an interactive, mapping interface:
Open Federal Discretionary Grants
- FAA: FAA Contract Tower (FCT) Competitive Grant Program – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced up to $100 million in Fiscal Year 2027 funding for improvements to airport-owned air traffic control towers. Eligible projects may include construction, repair, rehabilitation, modernization, replacement, or relocation of non-approach control towers, along with the installation of air traffic control and communications equipment. Funding may also be used for FAA-certified digital tower projects. Established under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the program focuses on addressing aging tower infrastructure and improving the safety, efficiency, and reliability of air traffic control services. The Federal share is 100%, with no local match required. Applications are due October 19, 2026.
- FHWA: Prioritization Process Pilot Program (PPPP) – The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is accepting applications for the Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026 Prioritization Process Pilot Program (PPPP) Competitive Grant Program. Up to $26 million is available to support the development and implementation of data-driven, publicly accessible, and transparent processes for prioritizing transportation projects in short-range and long-range transportation plans. Eligible activities include establishing transportation investment objectives, developing project evaluation and scoring methodologies, integrating transportation performance measures, and incorporating public engagement into project selection. Eligible applicants include State governments and Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) serving urban areas with populations exceeding 200,000. The program provides grants of up to $2 million per applicant, with a Federal share of up to 100 percent of eligible project costs and no non-Federal match required. Applications are due October 30, 2026.
- FHWA: Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program – The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is accepting applications for the Fiscal Year 2026 Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program (WCPP). Approximately $80 million is available to support projects that improve roadway safety by reducing wildlife-vehicle collisions and enhancing habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species. Eligible activities include the construction of wildlife overpasses and underpasses, installation of fencing and wildlife detection systems, habitat connectivity improvements, and planning, research, and monitoring initiatives. Funding is available to State Departments of Transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, local governments, regional transportation authorities, Tribal governments, and other eligible public entities. The program generally covers up to 80 percent of eligible project costs, with certain exceptions allowing a higher Federal share. At least 60 percent of program funding must be awarded to projects in rural areas. Applications are due November 16, 2026.
- EPA: Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Program – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is accepting applications for the 2026 Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) National Program. The program offers approximately $180 million in competitive funding from Fiscal Years 2024 through 2026 to support the replacement, retrofit, and modernization of older diesel-powered vehicles, engines, and equipment to reduce harmful emissions and improve air quality. Eligible projects include upgrades to transit and school buses, medium- and heavy-duty trucks, locomotives, marine vessels, and nonroad equipment through cleaner engine technologies, alternative fuels, zero-emission replacements, and verified emission control systems. Federal funding may cover between 25 and 100 percent of eligible project costs, depending on the technology. Approximately $18.3 million is allocated to EPA Region 3, which includes Maryland, with a maximum Federal request of $5 million per application. Applications are due January 22, 2027.
- EDA: Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance Program – This program provides competitive funding to support infrastructure, workforce, and economic recovery projects in distressed communities. Eligible activities include public works construction, broadband and utilities, workforce facilities, business incubators, revolving loan funds, and economic development planning aligned with a regional CEDS. Eligible applicants include states, local governments, Tribes, nonprofits, economic development organizations, and public-private partnerships. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with cost share required.
Other Federal Discretionary Grants
How Can Maryland DOT Help?
We can work with you on state projects if they are your local priorities, partner when feasible, provide a state match if state priority, give technical support, and other assistance.
If you are representing a local entity and interested in receiving a letter of support from MDOT for current or anticipated project, please fill out this request. We will need at least (two) full weeks upon receiving the information to route for signature.
Factors for Success:
The strongest applications will have a thorough understanding of grant requirements, including deadlines, eligible costs, the application process, overall intent, duration of grant funding, design and environmental review requirements, and local funding match requirements.
This includes a solid understanding of the grant itself, and how it pertains to one of the key focus areas for transportation under this legislation (Safety, , Environmental Sustainability, Quality of Life, Economic Competitiveness, State of Good Repair, and System Modernization). Make your strongest argument possible, backed up by clear information, sound data, and broad community support at all governing and geographic levels with letters of support from partners. Additional factors to take into consideration are:
- Most grant programs involve a match or “cost share” meaning that a portion of the project’s cost must be met with non-federal sources. Typically, the match requirement is 20%, but there are some opportunities to secure 100% federal funding awards. The required match percentage, sources of match, and other requirements vary from program to program.
- The Build America Bureau, responsible for supporting transportation infrastructure development projects and offers several programs to provide project finance assistance to State, local, and private project sponsors. These are customizable credit instruments that reduce project costs and increase flexibility.
- Identify possible partnerships early in the application process. Partnering with local or state entities can increase the knowledge and resources available to enhance grant applications, ultimately giving proposals a more competitive edge.
- Encourage letters of support from state or local entities. A letter can be a valuable tool to support your grant application that helps the awarding agency determine if the proposal is worthy of funding.
- Be aware of Build America, Buy America which requires the use of materials produced in the United States, increase the requirement for American-made content, and strengthens the waiver process associated with Buy American provisions.
- Almost all of US DOT grant applications must be submitted through the Grants.gov portal. Registering is a one-time process; however, processing delays may occur, and it can take up to several weeks for first-time registrants to receive confirmation and a user password. Start the registration process as early as possible.
- All applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) as generated by www.SAM.gov to apply for a federal grant. Note that this can take a few weeks to process
Resources:
For more information on specific grant funding opportunities and program details, please visit the following pages:
TIP/STIP Amendment Resources:
The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) wants to help you with your TIP/STIP Amendment(s). Please find below a link to our TIP/STIP Process Overview Webinar held on November 21, 2024. Other resources can also be found below:
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please contact us at [email protected].
MDOT's EV Charger Siting Tool & Installation Partnering Form
MDOT has announced the Maryland Electric Vehicle (EV) Infrastructure Installation Partnering Form, now available through the EV Plan website. The form is a new resource to encourage potential partnership and collaboration among organizations that are interested in installing publicly available EV charging stations throughout the State. The ‘List of Partners’ gathered through the form will be updated regularly so that interested organizations can reach out directly to those identified on the list about teaming opportunities. For those interested in partnering with a site host, MDOT recommends utilizing the Charger Siting Tool to determine if sites may be a good candidate.
Uniform Grants Guidance 2024 Revisions
The EPA has adopted the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards to Non-Federal Entities guidance, which is commonly known as the Uniform Grant Guidance (UGG). Key changes made to the UGG through its 2024 revision, webinars, resources and contracts are available here.
Clean Cities and Communities: Funding Opportunities
Current funding opportunities that may be of interest to Clean Cities and Communities stakeholders, including U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) funding opportunity announcements (FOAs) issued by the USDOE, are available at the Cities and Communities: Funding Opportunities website.
Current Newsletter
Archived: Newsletters
Archived: Webinars
- MDOT Grant Road Show 2025 materials, highlighting key annual local and federal grant programs, including discretionary funding, transportation safety, climate-focused initiatives, and modal-specific opportunities - Recording and Slide Deck
- TIP/STIP Overview Process to help learn how to get your federal funds programmed - Recording and Slide Deck
- Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity Program - Recording and Slide Deck
- Build America Center: 10 Tips for Putting a Successful Federal Grant Application Together - Recording and Slide Deck
- MDOT Discretionary Grants Overview - Recording and Slide Deck
- Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhood Program - Recording and Slide Deck
- National Transportation Center at Morgan State University: Resources and Tools - Recording and Slide Deck