Getting Ready for the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Discretionary Grant Program 

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) established the new Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) discretionary grant program, funded with $1 billion over the next 5 years. The program’s funds can support planning, capital construction, and technical assistance to equitably and safely restore community connectivity through the removal, retrofit, mitigation, or replacement of eligible transportation infrastructure facilities that create barriers to mobility, access, or economic development.

The Department anticipates posting the NOFO(s) for RCP program grants and technical assistance in summer of 2022.

• Opening remarks by Christopher Coes, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, DOT
• Thursday, May 19 from 1:30pm – 2:30pm EDT
• Register here: Webinar Registration – Zoom (zoomgov.com)

Webinar Series – Safe Streets and Roads for All Grants 

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is hosting informational webinars for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant opportunity. These webinars will be recorded. https://www.transportation.gov/grants/SS4A/webinars

1. TITLE: How to Apply for SS4A Grants: General Overview
   • This webinar will offer a general overview of the SS4A program, the grant application process, and the available grant types.
   • Monday, June 13, 1:00-3:00 p.m. (EDT)
   • Register to attend the June 13 webinar.
2. TITLE: How to Apply for SS4A: Action Plan Grants
   • This webinar will offer a general overview of the SS4A program and the grant application process and provide a particular focus on applying for Action Plan Grants.
   • Wednesday, June 15, 1:00-3:00 p.m. (EDT)
   • Register to attend the June 15 webinar.
3. TITLE: How to Apply for SS4A: Implementation Grants
   • This webinar will offer a general overview of the SS4A program and the grant application process and provide a particular focus on applying for Implementation Grants.
   • Thursday, June 23, 1:00-3:00 p.m. (EDT)
   • Register to attend the June 23 webinar.

Webinar Series – FY22 Multimodal Project Discretionary Grant (MPDG) Opportunity

The MPDG streamlines three grant programs into one application process. USDOT will host informational webinars for the FY2022 MPDG opportunity. These webinars will be recorded and are also a great resource for prospective RAISE applicants, as the webinars come from the funding source and share the guidance of USDOT.

These webinars have been completed, but recordings are available online: https://www.transportation.gov/grants/mpdg-webinars

New National Association of Counties (NACo) Resource for Understanding the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL): Funding Table of BIL Opportunities for County Governments
A recording of this this webinar is available to those who want to learn about a new funding matrix for counties that details all funding opportunities accessible by counties that are provided for in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Details include how counties can access funds, funding levels, special eligibility requirements, and most importantly, opportunities AVAILABLE NOW that counties can access.

1. Rebuilding American Infrastructure Sustainably and Equitably (RAISE) Grants– This existing competitive grant program at the Department of Transportation provides $7.5 billion with an additional $7.5 billion subject to Congressional approval in funding for road, rail, transit, and other surface transportation of local and/or regional significance. Selection criteria safety, sustainability, equity, economic competitiveness, mobility, and community connectivity. Applications will open in the first quarter of 2022.

2. Port Infrastructure Development Program Grants – This existing $2 billion Department of Transportation program funds investment in the modernization and expansion of U.S. ports to remove supply chain bottlenecks, ensure long-term competitiveness, resilience, and sustainability while reducing impacts to the environment and neighboring communities. The infrastructure law expanded the program’s eligibilities to include projects that improve goods movement, as well as port electrification projects, idling reduction solutions,
equipment charging infrastructure and related worker training initiatives. The Department of Transportation expects to open applications in
February 2022.

3. Bus & Bus Facilities Competitive Grants – This existing $2 billion program at the Department of Transportation provides capital funding to replace, rehabilitate, purchase, or lease buses and bus related equipment and to rehabilitate, purchase, construct, or lease bus-related facilities – as well as capital funding for low or no emissions bus projects. Fiscal Year 2021 grant selections will be announced soon. Applications are expected to open for the Fiscal Year 2022 grant program in the first quarter of 2022.

4. National Infrastructure Project Assistance (also known as “Megaprojects” or MEGA)– This $5 billion competitive grant program supports multi-modal, multi-jurisdictional projects of regional or national significance. Communities are eligible to apply for funding to complete critical large projects that would otherwise be unachievable without assistance. Applications are due May 23, 2022. Learn more about how to apply here

5. Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grants – This Department of Transportation program supports highway and rail projects  of regional and economic significance. Applications are due May 23, 2022. Learn more about how to apply here

6. Safe Streets and Roads for All – This new $5 billion competitive grant program at the Department of Transportation will provide funding directly to and exclusively for local governments to support their efforts to advance “vision zero” plans and other complete street improvements to reduce crashes and fatalities, especially for cyclists and pedestrians. Applications are expected to open in May 2022.

7. Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grants – In addition to the $5 billion formula program distributed to states, this $2.5 billion discretionary grant program at the Department of Transportation will fund the strategic deployment of publicly accessible electric vehicle  charging infrastructure, as well as hydrogen, propane, and natural gas fueling infrastructure, along designated alternative fuel corridors and in communities.

The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Program aims to build out a national electric vehicle charging network, an important step towards making electric vehicle (EV) charging accessible to all Americans. The funding will be distributed to the states over a five-year period to create the EV charging network along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors, particularly along the Interstate Highway System.

Program guidance can be found here: The National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program Guidance (dot.gov)

8. Clean School Bus Program – This new $5 billion competitive grant program at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will provide funding to replace existing school buses with low- or zero-emission school buses. Applications for funding will be made available here later this spring.

9. Reconnecting Communities – The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law creates a first-ever $1 billion program at the Department of Transportation to reconnect communities divided by transportation infrastructure – particularly historically disadvantaged communities too often nearly destroyed or cut in half by a highway. This new competitive program will provide dedicated funding to state, local, metropolitan planning organizations, and tribal governments for planning, design, demolition, and reconstruction of street grids, parks, or other infrastructure to address these legacy impacts. Applications will open in the second quarter of 2022.

10. Rural Surface Transportation Grant – This new $2 billion competitive grant program at the Department of Transportation will improve and expand surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas, increasing connectivity, improving safety and reliability of the movement of  people and freight, and generate regional economic growth. This amount includes specific set asides for small projects ($200 million), rural roadway lane departure improvements ($300 million), and the Appalachian Development Highway System ($500 million). Applications are due May 23, 2022. Learn more about how to apply here

1. Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Program – This existing Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) program will distribute $1 billion to support communities undertaking hazard mitigation projects to reduce the risks they face from disasters and other natural hazards. FY21 applications are open until January 28th, 2022 and hundreds of millions of dollars in funding remains available. Communities will apply as sub-applicants under their states. Applications for FY22 are expected to open no later than September 30th, 2022.
2. Flood Mitigation Assistance – $3.5 billion from this existing FEMA program can be used for projects that reduce or eliminate the risk of  repetitive flood damage to buildings insured by the National Flood Insurance Program. FY21 applications are open until January 28th, 2022. Communities will apply as subapplicants under their states. Applications for FY22 are expected to open no later than September 30th, 2022.

3. Brownfields Remediation Program – This existing EPA program will provide $1.2 billion in grants and technical assistants to communities to assess and safely clean-up contaminated properties and offer job training programs. Communities are currently able to  request funding for Targeted Brownfields Assessments through their regional EPA office. Additional competitive funding opportunities will  be announced this spring.

4. Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grants – This Department of Energy block grant program will provide $550 million to states, local governments, and tribes for projects that reduce energy use, increase energy efficiency, and cut pollution. The first funding opportunity is expected for release in the Fall of 2022.

5. Grants for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Improvements in Schools – This new Department of Energy Program will provide  $500 million for local government education agencies and nonprofit partners to make energy efficiency, renewable energy, and clean vehicle upgrades and improvements at public schools. The opportunity to apply for funding is expected to be open in the Fall of 2022.

6. Energy Improvement in Rural or Remote Areas – This new Department of Energy program will provide $1 billion to entities in rural or remote areas (defined as cities, towns, or unincorporated areas with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants) to increase environmental protection  from the impacts of energy use and improve resilience, reliability, safety, and availability of energy. Applications for funding are expected to be open in the Fall of 2022.

7. Grants for Energy Efficiency and Resilience Code Adoption – This Department of Energy program will provide $225 million to state energy agencies, in partnership with local building code agencies, codes and standards developers, utilities, and other entities, to enable sustained, cost-effective implementation of updated building energy codes to save customers money on their energy bills. Applications for funding are expected to be open by the end of 2022.

8. Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs – This new Department of Energy program will provide $8 billion to support the development of at least four regional clean hydrogen hubs to improve clean hydrogen production, processing, delivery, storage, and end use. Applications for funding will open in the Summer of 2022.

9. Community Wildfire Defense Grant Program – This new $1 billion program at the Department of Agriculture will provide grants to communities at risk from wildfire to develop or revise their community wildfire protection plans and carry out projects described within those plans. It will include a mix of formula and competitive funds. Applications are expected to open early in 2023.

1. ReConnect Program – This existing Department of Agriculture program will provide almost $2 billion in loans and grants for projects that provide broadband in rural areas. Applications will likely open in the 3rd quarter of 2022 (and towns in rural areas can apply to the current $1.15B in loans and grant funding, application deadline: February 22, 2022).

2. Middle Mile Grants Program – This new $1 billion program at the Department of Commerce provides grants for the construction, improvement or acquisition of middle mile broadband infrastructure. Applications will likely open during the second quarter of 2022.

3. State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program – This new $1 billion program at the Department of Homeland Security makes available  federal funds to state, local, and tribal governments to address cybersecurity risks and cybersecurity threats to information systems that  they own or operate. Applications will likely open during the third quarter of 2022.

4. Smart Grid Investment Grant Program and Energy Sector Operational Support For Cyber Resilience Program – These two Department of Energy programs will provide $3 billion and $50 million, respectively, for electric utilities, including municipal and co-operative utilities, to modernize the electricity grid and increase resilience to cybersecurity threats. Applications for the Smart Grid program are expected to be open by the end of 2022, and applications for the Cyber Resilience program are expected to be open in the Summer of 2022.

5. Water & Groundwater Storage and Conveyance – This existing $1 billion program at the Department of Interior provides funding for water storage projects with capacity between 2,000 and 30,000 acre-feet – as well as projects convey water to or from surface water or groundwater storage. The Department will hold its final stakeholder sessions this month and open applications later this spring.

6. Emergency Watershed Protection Program – This existing Department of Agriculture program will provide $300 million in technical and financial assistance to project sponsors for the design and construction of measures to help repair damages from a recent disaster. Applications open in February.

The law further significantly increased the amount of non-competitive formula funding that will flow first to states and then on to cities and local governments. Examples include funding available through Surface Transportation Block Grant sub-allocations for local governments, which now include significantly expanded the flexibilities for cities to determine how these funds can be used, as well as increases for states’ Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds. We encourage cities to reach out to the state or regional offices for various federal agencies, as well as state governments’ infrastructure coordinators, to better understand forthcoming increases in formula funding.

USDOT has published a list of anticipated dates for Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) for key IIJA/BIL programs. This list is not comprehensive and will be updated periodically with new programs and dates here.

May	Transit-Oriented Development Pilot Program	Federal Transit Administration
May	University Transportation Centers Program	Office of the Secretary
May	Natural Gas Distribution Infrastructure Safety and Modernization Program	Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
May	Safe Streets and Roads for All Grant Program	Office of the Secretary
May	Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Project Program	Federal Highway Administration
May	Bridge Investment Program	Federal Highway Administration
June	Railroad Crossing Elimination Program	Federal Railroad Administration
June	Ferry Programs: Electric or Low Emitting Ferry Program; Ferry Service for Rural Communities Program; Passenger Ferry Grant Program	Federal Transit Administration
June	Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program	Office of the Secretary
July	All Stations Accessibility Program	Federal Transit Administration
July	Rail Vehicle Replacement Program	Federal Transit Administration
Summer	National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant Program	Federal Highway Administration
August	Consolidated Rail Infrastructure & Safety Improvements Grant Program	Federal Railroad Administration
September	Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation (SMART) Grant Program	Office of the Secretary

 

If you are interested in knowing when funding opportunities for grants are announced, you can register at grants.gov to stay up to date with USDOT-wide NOFOs as they become available.

Safe Streets and Roads for All Discretionary Grant Opportunity

Application Deadline: September 15, 2022
Funds for the fiscal year (FY) 2022 SS4A grant program are to be awarded on a competitive basis to support planning, infrastructure, behavioral, and operational initiatives to prevent death and serious injury on roads and streets involving all roadway users, including pedestrians; bicyclists; public transportation, personal conveyance, and micromobility users; motorists; and commercial vehicle operators.

Program Overview and How to Apply: Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program | US Department of Transportation

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO): Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Discretionary Grant Opportunity (transportation.gov)

FY2022 Multimodal Project Discretionary Grants (MPDG)

Application Deadline: May 23, 2022
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) combines three major discretionary grant programs.

• The Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program (RURAL) funds projects to improve and expand the surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas 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.
• The Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program funds projects to rebuild America’s infrastructure focused on improving safety, generating economic benefits, reducing congestion, enhancing resiliency, and eliminating supply chain bottlenecks/improving critical freight movements.
• The National Infrastructure Project Assistance (MEGA) program funds major projects that are too large or complex for traditional funding programs, including multijurisdictional or regional projects of significance that may also cut across multiple modes of transportation.

Overview, Application Guidelines, and Additional Information: https://www.transportation.gov/grants/mpdg-announcement

5339(c) Low or No Emission Grant Program and 5339(b) Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program

Application Deadline: May 31, 2022
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces the opportunity to apply for approximately $1.1 billion in competitive grants under the Low or No Emission Grant Program (Low-No Program) and approximately $372 million under the Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Program (Buses and Bus Facilities Program), subject to availability of appropriated funding. See the Federal Register Notice. FTA is combining these two grant opportunities in one NOFO, and applicants are welcome to apply to either program or both. Synopses and full announcement are posted on Grants.Gov as opportunity FTA-2022-001-TPM-LWNO for Low-No applications and FTA-2022-002-TPM-BUSC for Buses and Bus Facilities applications. Proposals must be submitted electronically through Grants.Gov website.

Overview: https://www.transit.dot.gov/notices-funding/low-or-no-emission-and-grants-buses-and-bus-facilities-competitive-programs-fy2022

FTA’s Low or No Emission (Low-No) Grant Program makes funding available to help transit agencies purchase or lease U.S.-built low or no emission vehicles that use advanced technologies, including related equipment or facilities, for transit revenue operations. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $5.5 billion over five years for the Low-No Program—more than 10 times greater than the previous five years of funding. For Fiscal Year 2022, approximately $1.1 billion will be available for grants under this program.

FTA’s Grants for Buses and Bus Facilities Program makes funding available to help transit agencies purchase and rehabilitate buses, vans, and related equipment, and build bus facilities. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides nearly $2 billion over five years for the Bus and Bus Facilities Program. For Fiscal Year 2022, approximately $372 million for grants will be available under this program.

 

RAISE Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity
Application Deadline: April 14, 2022
The purpose of this notice is to solicit applications for Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grants. Funds for the FY 2022 RAISE grant program are to be awarded on a competitive basis for surface transportation infrastructure projects that will have a significant local or regional impact. This program is referred to as the Local and Regional Project Assistance Program in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (“Bipartisan Infrastructure Law”).

Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Overview – https://www.transportation.gov/RAISEgrants

Colorado Broadband Office – https://broadband.colorado.gov/funding.

National Telecommunications and Information Administration Grants – https://broadband.colorado.gov/funding.

PPACG Wildfire Mitigation Funding Report – working draft Feb 10 2022

Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES)

The ROUTES initiative aims to ensure rural transportation infrastructure’s unique challenges are considered in order to meet priority transportation goals of safety, mobility, and economic competitiveness.

The Rural EV Infrastructure Toolkit was recently released to help rural communities plan and fund electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure.

FHWA Funding Brochure

The FHWA issued an updated brochure: Federal Funding is Available For Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure On the National Highway System (dot.gov).

Alternative Fuel Corridors

Information regarding Alternative Fuel Corridors, including interactive maps and the request for nominations for new corridors is available online: https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/alternative_fuel_corridors/.

Colorado Programs

The following are among the state-wide programs related to electric vehicles. Details on each can be found at Alternative Fuels Data Center: Colorado Laws and Incentives (energy.gov)

• Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Infrastructure Grant Program and Plug-In Electric Vehicle (PEV) and Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Grants: For the PPACG Region applications would go through the Colorado Energy Office (CEO): http://cleanairfleets.org/programs/alt-fuels-colorado
• Direct Current (DC) Fast Charging Plazas Program: EV Fast-Charging Plazas | Colorado Energy Office
• Impact Assistance Program for Public Fleets: https://cdola.colorado.gov/funding-programs/energy/mineral-impact-assistance-fund-grant-eiaf
• Advanced Industries (AI) Accelerator Program Grants: https://choosecolorado.com/doing-business/advanced-industries/
• Electric Vehicle (EV) and Infrastructure Coaching Service: https://energyoffice.colorado.gov/zero-emission-vehicles/recharge-colorado

 

A new memorandum was released to clarify eligibility requirements for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) under the IIJA.

• https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/hsip/rulemaking/docs/BIL_HSIP_Eligibility_Guidance.pdf

In addition, the IIJA established a new Special Rule under the HSIP for vulnerable road user (VRU) safety and continued two existing special rules for High-Risk Rural Roads (HRRR) and Older Drivers and Pedestrians.

• https://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/hsip/rulemaking/docs/Section148_SpecialRule_Guidance.pdf

The EPA has released a memorandum outlining a strategy for collaborative implementation with state, local, and Tribal partners of $43 billion in water infrastructure funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. EPA’s implementation memo highlights the flexibility provided to states and borrowers to address a wide variety of local water quality and public health challenges.

The memorandum and related information can be found online: Bipartisan Infrastructure Law SRF Memorandum | US EPA.