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Join DOT on August 15 at 3:00 p.m. ET for the second part of a two-part webinar series on Using Data to Effectively Tell Your Community’s Story. Part 1 of the series took place on July 22 and focused on how to identify and describe a project and its goals, identify users of the infrastructure or system, and determine the project’s impact area. You can view the Part 1 webinar recording here (passcode: 6NN%6Y=h). Part 2 of the webinar series on August 15 will introduce participants to DOT’s Equitable Transportation Community (ETC) Explorer tool and provide detailed information on how to use the tool to map a project area, identify how a community is experiencing disadvantage, and evaluate project benefits to a community. This information will build on the content presented during Part 1 of the webinar series. Participants are encouraged to review the Part 1 materials before attending Part 2. Register for Part 2 of the webinar series here.
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The Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST) is accepting public comment on the meaningful activities to advance equity that should be considered as part of DOT's 2024 update to its Equity Action Plan. The responses will help DOT understand the impact of its equity activities to date and inform what equity-related activities and performance metrics are prioritized through the Equity Action Plan. Comments are requested by August 14, 2024 – view the Request for Information here.
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Last year, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)’s Office of Planning hosted a webinar on its Transportation Planning Capacity Building (TPCB) Peer Exchange Program. The webinar covered TPCB Peer Exchange Program resources, benefits to participants, transportation-related topics of interest, examples of recent peer exchanges, the application process, and additional support available to participating government agencies. You can view the webinar recording here (passcode: h^!#SJ4F). The TPCB Peer Exchange is a free resource for agencies in need of transportation planning assistance. Interested agencies are encouraged to apply for assistance by sending inquiries to TPCB@dot.gov. You can learn more by visiting the TPCB website and connect to training, technical assistance, and support for State, local, regional, and Tribal governments, transit operators, and community leaders.
Recent USDOT Awards and Investments
- USDOT announced more than $26.5 million in planning grants through FHWA's competitive Bridge Investment Program. These planning grants, which will fund 28 projects in 18 states, will be used to create a pipeline of future bridge construction projects to improve safety, support economic competitiveness, and make our highway infrastructure more resilient to the effects of climate change. Read more about the 28 awards.
- FHWA awarded funding to 85 projects through the Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects (NSFLTP) program and the Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund (TTPSF). The NSFLTP program provides funding for the construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of projects, like the Poarch Band of Creek Indians’ Jack Springs Road project in Escambia County, Alabama. The Jack Springs Road project will include road expansion, the installation of sidewalks, and intersection improvements. The TTPSF provides funding for projects that address safety issues through systemic roadway departure countermeasures and strategic transportation safety plans. The TTPSF funds construction projects like the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians’ Foxcroft road reconstruction, which will implement paved shoulders, guardrails, signage, and crosswalk beacons.
- USDOT announced $1.8 billion in grants for 148 projects under the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program in all 50 States, four territories, and the District of Columbia. The RAISE program supports a broad slate of projects across the country that rebuild and repair critical infrastructure with a large percentage of the funds going to historically disadvantaged communities. The city of Fairfield, Alabama, for example, will use its RAISE funds to construct 3.8 miles of separated bicycle and pedestrian facilities and implement intersection and crossing enhancements. Over the past four years, the RAISE program has funded over 550 projects with $7.2 billion.
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 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!
Closing in August
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FHWA is accepting applications for its Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) discretionary grant program. The CFI Round 2 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) offers up to $1.3 billion in funding for new applications and for previously submitted applications. The CFI Program is a competitive grant program created by President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to strategically deploy publicly accessible electric vehicle charging and alternative fueling infrastructure in the places people live and work – urban and rural areas alike – in addition to designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs). CFI Program investments will make modern and sustainable infrastructure accessible to all drivers of electric, hydrogen, propane, and natural gas vehicles. This program provides two categories of grants: (1) Community Charging and Alternative Fueling Grants (Community Program); and (2) Charging and Alternative Fuel Corridor Grants (Corridor Program). FHWA hosted a grant overview webinar and a webinar on reconsideration of Round 1 applications in June – view the webinar presentations and recordings. Applications are due by August 28, 2024.
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The final deadline for Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Planning and Demonstration Grant applications is Thursday, August 29, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. ET. Late applications will not be accepted. Applications must be submitted through Valid Eval. For more information, please visit the How to Apply page of the SS4A website. Applicants are encouraged to review the NOFO amendment, published on April 16, 2024, for the latest updates on the SS4A FY24 funding opportunity. A final round of questions and answers is available on the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page of the SS4A website.
Closing in September
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FHWA is accepting applications for its Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program (WCPP), a competitive grant program with the goal of reducing Wildlife Vehicle Collisions (WVCs), while improving habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species. The WCPP provides funding for construction and non-construction projects. Construction projects include engineering, design, permitting, right-of-way acquisition, and other activities related to the construction of infrastructure improvements, such as the building of a wildlife crossing overpass or underpass. Non-construction projects include planning, research, and educational activities that are not directly related to construction of infrastructure improvements, such as a hot spot analysis of WVCs. Applications must be submitted electronically through grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m. ET on September 4, 2024. Find more information in the NOFO.
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FHWA has made available at least $196 million for FY2023 Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) grants as part of the FY23-26 Culvert AOP NOFO. The National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant Program (Culvert AOP Program) is a competitive grant program that awards grants to eligible entities for projects for the replacement, removal, and repair of culverts or weirs that meaningfully improve or restore fish passage for anadromous fish. Anadromous is the term that describes fish born in freshwater who spend most of their lives in saltwater and migrate back to freshwater to spawn. The deadline to apply for FY23 funding via grants.gov is September 23, 2024, at 11:59 p.m., ET. Learn more about the Culvert AOP Grants.
- The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is accepting applications for its Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program and Restoration and Enhancement (R&E) Grant Program. The RCE Grant Program is dedicated to improving railroad crossing safety and efficiency, investing in projects that construct grade separations, upgrade safety devices at crossings, or close at-grade crossings where roads and train tracks intersect. Applications for the RCE Grant Program are due by September 23, 2024. The R&E Grant Program assists with operating costs for eligible projects that will establish service on new routes, restore service on routes that formerly had intercity passenger operations, and enhance service on existing routes. Applications for the R&E Grant Program are due by September 30, 2024. FRA hosted webinars on these grant opportunities to discuss application requirements, share best practices and tips, and provide information about the grant evaluation process and timeline – view webinar recordings on the FRA Webinars page.
- More than $600 million is available for capital construction and community planning grants through the third round of the Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Program. The RCP Program focuses on improving access to daily needs such as jobs, education, healthcare, food, nature, and recreation; fostering equitable development and restoration; and providing technical assistance to further these goals. Learn more in the RCP Program NOFO. The deadline for applications is 11:59 p.m. ET on September 30, 2024. USDOT is hosting a series of webinars for potential applicants – register for an upcoming webinar or view past webinar recordings here.
- To support communities in preparing strong RCP Program grant applications, the Reconnecting Communities Institute (RCI) is hosting a series of no-cost, virtual Grant Writing Clinics and Office Hours. Led by experts with deep experience in federal grant programs, and in assisting communities with transportation reconnection projects, these events will include an overview of the program, Q&A with previous grant recipients, strategy sessions, and office hours. States, local governments, Tribal governments, regional entities, or nonprofit entities are all welcome to join. Register for a virtual event using the links below – you may attend multiple sessions and office hours. For more information, please view the RCI Resource Library or contact RCI at RCI@dot.gov.
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Grant Writing Clinics: August 16, 2024 (12:00-5:00 p.m. ET - register here) and September 13, 2024 (12:00-5:00 p.m. ET - register here).
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Office Hours: August 22, 2024 (11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. ET - register here) and September 16, 2024 (11:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. ET - register here).
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.
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.
- Smart Growth America published a primer providing strategies for State agencies and local rural communities to address Complete Streets funding challenges. Strategies include entities working together to incorporate Complete Streets into long-term planning by securing necessary funding in phases and leveraging funds for components of a Complete Streets project to share costs across programs. The brief uses California’s Department of Transportation (Caltrans) as an example of a State agency developing effective relationships with local communities to determine solutions to common funding obstacles.
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ReConnect Rondo is hosting a Reconnecting Communities Summit on September 11-13, 2024 in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The Summit calls for a national restorative movement to advance policy and investment in revitalizing communities decimated by transportation policy. Community members, practitioners, and policy leaders from across the country will gather, share, learn, and create a community of practice to overcome the negative effects of the Federal Highway Act of 1956.
- The Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Rural Development Community Facilities Loan and Grant Program provides funds for communities in rural disaster areas to purchase, construct, and / or improve essential community facilities affected by a disaster, and to purchase equipment. Examples of essential community facilities include fire stations, police stations, public works facilities and equipment, clinics, hospitals, schools, roads, bridges, and community gardens. Learn more about the program here. Preapplications and complete applications for the Community Facilities Program Disaster Grants will be accepted on a continual basis until all funds have been obligated. USDA will conduct an initial review and rating of preapplications and complete applications received by September 12, 2024.
- USDA’s Broadband Technical Assistance (BTA) Program provides financial assistance through cooperative agreements to eligible entities to receive or deliver broadband technical assistance and training. To learn more, please see the full News Release. Applications are due August 20, 2024.
- USDA Rural Development offers the Rural Housing Site Loans program to acquire and develop sites for housing to be constructed by the Self-Help method. Refer to RD Instruction 1944-I for more information. Applications are currently being accepted.
- USDA Rural Development’s Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program provides support to assist in the development, construction, and retrofitting of new and emerging technologies for advanced biofuels, renewable chemicals, and biobased products. Letters of Intent are due by September 2, 2024 and applications are due by October 1, 2024.
- Through its Youth Homelessness Demonstration Program, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will select up to 25 communities (at least 8 of which will be rural) to develop and execute a coordinated community approach to preventing and ending youth homelessness. Applicants must be a collaborative registered through the most recent Continuum of Care Program. The population to be served by this demonstration program is youth experiencing homelessness, age 24 and under, including unaccompanied youth and pregnant or parenting youth who are experiencing homelessness. The NOFO is open until August 29, 2024.
- The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) offers funding to support the improvement of heating and cooling of dwellings by the installation of weatherization materials for efficiency modifications. Grantees may receive formula-based allocations and can perform weatherization retrofits. The WAP reduces energy costs for low-income households by increasing the energy efficiency of their homes while ensuring their health and safety. Applications are currently being accepted; more information about how to apply is available here.
- The Foundation for Rural Service Community Grant Program supports local efforts to build and sustain a high quality of life in rural communities. Focus areas include business development, community development, education, and telecommunications. The application deadline is September 9, 2024.
- The National Rural Water Association (NRWA)’s Rural Water Loan Fund (RWLF) program is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of small water and wastewater utilities through low-cost loans for short-term repair costs, small capital projects, or pre-development costs associated with larger projects. Eligible projects include pre-development (planning) costs for infrastructure projects; replacement equipment, system upgrades, maintenance, and small capital projects; and energy efficiency projects to lower costs and improve system sustainability. Disaster recovery or other emergency loans are also available. Applications are currently being accepted.
If you have information or resources you would like to be considered for inclusion in future USDOT Navigator biweekly bulletins, reach out to USDOTAssist@dot.gov.
Click the link below to join the listserv or visit the USDOT Navigator to find information and resources on applying for USDOT grants and planning for and delivering transformative infrastructure projects and services.
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