In 2024, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced a $242 million grant funded through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to support the replacement of the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge in Wilmington, N.C.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) offers a variety of federal competitive grant programs for transportation projects. These grants are essential for enhancing transportation infrastructure and systems. The specific objectives of USDOT federal competitive grants vary based on the program and the overseeing agency.
Federal competitive grants are funding opportunities offered by various federal agencies to support projects aligned with national priorities. Competitive grants provide valuable financial support to a wide range of projects. Unlike formula-based funding, which distribute funds based on set formulas, these grant opportunities are competitively awarded based on the merit of individual applications. While competitive grants often require a 20 percent non-federal match, many of these grant programs do not require matching funds or have minimal matching requirements.
Nine federal agencies manage these grants, in coordination with the USDOT Office of the Secretary of Transportation, each focusing on a different area of transportation and infrastructure:
- Federal Aviation Administration
- Federal Highway Administration
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
- Federal Railroad Administration
- Federal Transit Administration
- Maritime Administration
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Office of the Secretary of Transportation - Research and Technology
- Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration
The selection process for these grants involves a team of federal reviewers who assess each project based on its merit. Reviewers consider how well the project aligns with the agency’s mission, its potential impact on the community, and its overall feasibility. Award decisions are made either by the USDOT Secretary or head of the modal administration overseeing a particular program.
Searching for Funding Opportunities
To find available grant opportunities, prospective applicants can visit the
Grants.gov website. Each year, agencies publish Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs), which provide essential details about specific grant programs. NOFOs include information such as funding amounts, evaluation criteria, application deadlines, allowable uses of funds, matching fund requirements, eligibility criteria, and other important application guidelines.
The N.C. Department of Transportation collaborates with all transportation modes to identify projects that qualify for federal competitive grant funds. By actively seeking out these opportunities, the Department ensures that the state’s transportation system can meet its evolving needs and continue to support its communities.