Opportunity Information: Apply for NSFHP 21 INFRA21
The INFRA Grants opportunity is a USDOT discretionary funding program for FY 2021 aimed at supporting transportation projects with national or regional significance. The program is framed around delivering real economic and public benefits, with an emphasis on creating good-paying jobs, improving transportation safety, using transformative or innovative approaches, and, notably for this round, explicitly addressing climate change and racial equity. USDOT highlights the urgency of these investments in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the strain it placed on state and local budgets, positioning INFRA as a tool to stimulate economic recovery while modernizing critical infrastructure.
A central feature of this funding round is the stronger focus on climate change and environmental justice. Projects are judged in part on whether they are part of a broader, comprehensive climate strategy or whether they directly support greenhouse gas reduction approaches. Examples mentioned include deploying zero-emission vehicle infrastructure and advancing strategies that reduce vehicle-miles traveled, such as encouraging shifts to other travel modes. Alongside climate considerations, racial equity is a selection criterion to the extent that applicants demonstrate meaningful, equity-focused community outreach and show that the project is designed to benefit underserved communities. USDOT also signals added interest in projects located in federally designated community development areas, including Opportunity Zones, Empowerment Zones, Promise Zones, and Choice Neighborhoods, which can strengthen the case that the investment will support communities facing long-standing disadvantages.
The program makes funding available for both large and small projects, with minimum grant sizes set to shape the project pipeline. Large projects must request at least $25 million in INFRA funds, while small projects must request at least $5 million. Statutory set-asides apply: 10 percent of available funding is reserved for small projects, and USDOT must award at least 25 percent of total funding to rural projects. For FY 2021, total funding available is described as approximately $889 million. The notice also lists a very high award ceiling value in the source data, reflecting the program’s ability to support major projects, though actual award sizes depend on competition and project scope. The application deadline listed for this round is March 19, 2021.
USDOT is especially interested in projects that can move quickly into construction and where the local sponsor shows significant investment, which is another way of signaling preference for projects that are well-developed, financially committed, and ready to deliver near-term benefits. INFRA grant funds can cover a wide range of eligible project costs, including reconstruction and rehabilitation, property acquisition (including land and related improvements), environmental mitigation, construction contingencies, equipment purchases, and operational improvements tied directly to system performance. Beyond the traditional grant, the NOFO introduces an "INFRA Extra" pathway: strong applicants that do not ultimately receive an INFRA award may be identified as competitive and then be authorized to pursue a TIFIA loan for up to 49 percent of total project cost. This effectively gives high-quality projects another route to financing even if they miss the cut for grant dollars.
Eligible applicants are public-sector and quasi-public entities with transportation responsibilities. This includes states (or groups of states), metropolitan planning organizations serving urbanized areas over 200,000 in population, local governments (or groups of local governments), political subdivisions, special purpose districts and public authorities with transportation functions (including port authorities), federal land management agencies applying jointly with a state or group of states, tribal governments or tribal consortia, and multi-state or multi-jurisdictional groups of public entities. Joint applications are allowed, but they must name a lead applicant, each participating entity must independently qualify as an eligible applicant, and the submission must clearly describe roles and responsibilities and include signatures from each applicant. Overall, this INFRA round is structured to reward projects that are construction-ready, locally supported, economically meaningful, and aligned with newer federal priorities around decarbonization, environmental justice, and equitable community benefit.Apply for NSFHP 21 INFRA21
- The 69A345 Office of the Under Secretary for Policy in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "INFRA Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.934.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2021-01-19.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-03-19. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $800,100,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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| FY 2022 Competitive Funding Opportunity: All Stations Accessibility Program Apply for FTA 2022 009 TPM ASAP Funding Number: FTA 2022 009 TPM ASAP Agency: DOT/Federal Transit Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| FY 2023 National Infrastructure Investments Apply for DTOS59 23 RA RAISE Funding Number: DTOS59 23 RA RAISE Agency: 69A345 Office of the Under Secretary for Policy Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $25,000,000 |
| Indian Highway Safety Occupant Protection Grant Apply for BIA IHSP 2024 002 Funding Number: BIA IHSP 2024 002 Agency: Bureau of Indian Affairs Category: Transportation Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY 2022 Competitive Funding Opportunity: Airport Improvement Program Supplemental Discretionary Grants Apply for FAA ARP AIP G 23 001 Funding Number: FAA ARP AIP G 23 001 Agency: DOT Federal Aviation Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $50,000,000 |
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