Competitive Discretionary Grant Programs

Accepting Applications

Interstate Rail Compacts Grant Program

This program makes available $5,815,800 in financial assistance to entities implementing interstate rail compacts pursuant to section 410 of the Amtrak Reform and Accountability Act of 1997. The purpose of the program is to improve, promote, and develop intercity passenger rail service, including activities related to the financing of such service, and to encourage multi-state grant applications. Applications to the grant program are due no later than 5:00 p.m. ET, July 10, 2023. See the FY22-23 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for more information.

• To view presentation materials from the May 24, 2023, IRC Webinar, visit FRA's Webinars webpage, Grants & Loans drop-down.

Rail Research and Development Center of Excellence Grant Program

This program makes available $5,000,000 in funding to establish a center to advance research and development efforts that seek to improve the safety, performance, and sustainability of freight, intercity passenger, and commuter rail. Applications to the grant program are due no later than 5:00 p.m. ET, July 3, 2023. See the FY22-23 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for more information.

• To view presentation materials from the May 31, 2023, Rail Research and Development Center of Excellence NOFO Webinar, visit FRA's Webinars webpage, Grants & Loans drop-down.

Not Accepting Applications

Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program (FY 2017 – 2022)

The CRISI program provides funding for capital projects that improve passenger and freight rail transportation systems in terms of safety, efficiency, or reliability.  

• To view presentation materials from CRISI Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) outreach events, visit FRA's Webinars webpage.
  • FY 2022 CRISI NOFO Office Hours Session #2 – Project Narrative – October 27
  • FY 2022 CRISI NOFO Office Hours Session #1 – Featured Topics – October 20
  • FY 2022 CRISI Grant Program NOFO Webinar – September 15
• Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) and Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair Programs Benefit-Cost Analysis FAQs

Corridor Identification and Development (Corridor ID) Program 

This program was created by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to guide the development of new and enhanced intercity passenger rail services that will help bolster economic growth throughout the United States.

• To view presentation materials from the February 16, 2023, Corridor ID Webinar, visit FRA's Webinars webpage, Grants & Loans drop-down.

Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program

This program provides funding for capital projects that reduce the state of good repair backlog, improve performance, or expand or establish new intercity passenger rail service, including privately operated intercity passenger rail service, if an eligible applicant is involved.

• To view presentation materials for Federal-State Partnership Program outreach events, visit FRA's Webinars webpage, Grants & Loans drop-down:
  • FY 2022 Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program (FSP-National) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Webinar – December 15, 2022
  • FY 2022-2023 FSP-NEC NOFO Webinar – January 12, 2023
  • Federal-State Partnership Program Information Session #1: Eligibility – January 19, 2023
  • Federal-State Partnership Program Information Session #2: Major Capital Projects – January 26, 2023
  • Federal-State Partnership Program Information Session #3: Project Narrative and Statement of Work – February 7, 2023

Infrastructure For Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grants  (FY 2017 – 2021)

This USDOT-wide program provides funding for highway and freight projects of national or regional significance. USDOT seeks INFRA applications for projects that apply innovative technology, delivery, or financing methods with proven outcomes to deliver projects in a cost-effective manner. INFRA was previously known as the Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) Grant Program (FY 2016).

Magnetic Levitation Deployment Grants Program (FY 2015, FY 2019, and  FY 2020)

This program provides funding for the preconstruction planning activities and capital costs of viable, existing Maglev projects.

Multimodal Projects Discretionary Grant Program 

This USDOT-wide grant opportunity provides funding for major infrastructure projects of regional or national significance. The opportunity combines the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (MEGA) program, the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program, and the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program (RURAL) under a single Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to streamline the funding process for State, regional, and local governments.  Applicants can apply through one application and a common set of criteria.  The Department will make awards under the three grant programs consistent with each grant program’s statutory language and will focus on supporting projects that improve safety, economic competitiveness, equity, and climate and sustainability. 

Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program

This program provides funding for highway-rail or pathway-rail grade crossing improvement projects that focus on improving the safety and mobility of people and goods.  For more information about this program, please see the FY 2022 Notice of Funding Opportunity for more information.

• To view presentation materials for the July 14, 2022, Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity Webinar, visit FRA's Webinars webpage.

Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grants (FY 2022)

This USDOT-wide program provides funding for road, rail, transit, and port projects that promise to achieve national objectives. Projects are evaluated on merit criteria that include safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, economic competitiveness, state of good repair, innovation, and partnership. For more information about this program, please see USDOT’s RAISE Discretionary Grants webpage. RAISE was previously known as the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Program and the Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Program (FY 2009 – 2020). Since 2009, USDOT has awarded over $9.9 billion in grants under these programs to projects in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Restoration and Enhancement Grants Program (FY 2017 – 2020)

This program provides funding for operating assistance grants for initiating, restoring, or enhancing intercity passenger rail transportation.