USDOT Grant Opportunities and Resources for Local Agencies and Tribes

Reconnecting Communities Pilot Grant Program

 

ICYMI: DOT is now accepting applications for the Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) discretionary grant program. DOT will host an “Interested in Applying?” webinar for prospective applicants on Thursday, July 14 from 12:00 to 1:30 PM EDT (register here).  

 

The $1 billion RCP Program was established under President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law in keeping with the Biden-Harris Administration’s belief that the promise of our nation is that every American has an equal chance to get ahead. It is the first-ever program to help reconnect communities previously cut off from opportunities by transportation infrastructure, such as highways and rail lines, through solutions like high-quality public transportation, infrastructure removal, and main street revitalization. The application submission deadline is Thursday, October 13, 2022. 

 

Technical Assistance and Capacity Building

As part of DOT’s Thriving Communities Initiative, the Department recently introduced two exciting new technical assistance and capacity building resources: a DOT Navigator and the Thriving Communities Program. Together, these efforts will help to create a pipeline of diverse and transformative community-driven infrastructure projects across the country designed to drive inclusive economic growth, build resiliency, and ensure that every place has a chance to thrive.

The DOT Navigator is a new one-stop shop to access the array of resources across the Department that are designed to provide technical assistance and help grantees navigate the grant application, transportation planning, project delivery, funding and financing, and implementation processes. Available now in a beta version, the DOT Navigator includes a set of fact sheets and information to help those new to federal grant programs understand key requirements, gain tips for successful applications, and better navigate commonly required processes and terminology. Over the coming months, the site will continue to be built out to improve user interface, enable search functions, and provide additional helpful resources. The DOT Navigator does not itself provide technical assistance but makes it easier to find available resources and contacts. 

The Thriving Communities Program (TCP), which will be launching later this Fall, will provide technical assistance and capacity building to enable under resourced communities to identify, develop and deliver transformative transportation projects. This includes community planning and project development of infrastructure projects that increase affordable transportation options, enhance economic opportunity, reduce environmental burdens, improve access and quality of life, and provide other benefits to underserved communities. DOT is partnering with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, who will provide complementary technical assistance as part of the Thriving Communities program to improve the coordination of housing and transportation planning to advance residents’ access to opportunity and increase housing supply. Program Notices of Funding Opportunity to solicit capacity builders will be published later this Fall by each agency.