Deadline: 01-Oct-2025
The Department of Transportation (DOT) has announced a competitive grant program designed to strengthen organizational capacity for advancing transportation infrastructure projects through innovative financing and delivery methods.
The program offers two distinct types of grants: Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreements and Expert Services Cooperative Agreements.
Technical Assistance Cooperative Agreements are aimed at helping eligible entities conduct comprehensive assessments of multiple existing assets or advance programs of existing assets. These grants support activities such as soliciting and negotiating asset concessions, performing value-for-money analyses, evaluating payment structures, ensuring transparency in contract provisions, and integrating transportation demand management strategies. Monthly activities might include hiring staff, conducting public presentations on risks and benefits, and coordinating pricing and fare collection across regional transit systems.
Expert Services Cooperative Agreements provide funding to procure specialized advisors who assist with project-level planning and development. This includes feasibility studies, revenue forecasting, economic and cost-benefit analyses, legal and financial planning, risk assessments, public involvement, and navigating environmental and permitting processes. These grants focus on advancing specific existing asset projects rather than broader programmatic initiatives.
The program is voluntary and does not obligate recipients to apply for future DOT grants or loans, nor does it guarantee preferential treatment in subsequent applications. Importantly, projects funded through this program will not be classified as Federal-aid projects for future funding or administrative requirements, and award of a grant does not commit the DOT to provide additional financial assistance.
A total of $45.98 million is available for FY25/FY26 awards, including $18.86 million from FY26 funding, $18.86 million from FY25 funding, and $8.26 million carried over from FY24. Funding is available until expended, with the Department prioritizing timely award obligations and expenditures during application evaluations. All grants will be administered according to federal regulations under 2 CFR Part 200 and DOT-specific requirements at 2 CFR Part 1201.
Eligible applicants include States, Tribal governments, local governments, agencies or instrumentalities thereof, special purpose districts, and public authorities. To qualify, applicants must own, control, or maintain an existing asset; have legal authority to enter into contracts transferring ownership, operations, or revenue responsibilities; and possess the authority to procure professional services or employ staff to carry out program activities.
This initiative is designed to help public entities leverage innovative financing and procurement strategies, ultimately enhancing transportation infrastructure development across the nation.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.