For states, local governments, and tribal governments to support project development leading to future applications to DOT credit or grant programs. The grants can support legal, technical, and financial advisors to help advance infrastructure projects. The first notice of funding opportunity includes two fiscal years and makes $3.4 million available to eligible applicants on a first-come, first-served basis.
Eligible project sponsors may receive grant funds to select advisors to assist with pre-development-phase activities, including:
• feasibility studies
• project planning
• revenue forecasting and funding and financing options analyses
• preliminary engineering and design work
• environmental review
• economic assessments and cost-benefit analyses
• public benefits studies
• statutory and regulatory framework analyses
• value-for-money (VFM) studies
• evaluations of costs to sustain the project
• evaluation opportunities for private financing and project bundling
Up to $27 million in no-match grants on a first-come, first-served basis, with applications accepted beginning March 4, 2025, at 2 p.m. ET. Interested entities may access copies of the NOFO and application questions below to review and draft responses in advance. The application portal will close on April 3, 2025, at 4:59 p.m. ET.