The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)’s Build America Bureau (Bureau) is seeking applications from eligible U.S. public entities for $10 million in Regional Infrastructure Accelerator (RIA) grants.
Donor Name: U.S. Department of Transportation
State: All States
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: (mm/dd/yyyy) 01/09/2025
Size of the Grant: More than $1 million
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
The primary intent for the Program is to establish regional infrastructure accelerators to assist entities in increasing their capacity to deliver Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA)-eligible projects through innovative financing strategies. The Department seeks to fund projects that advance the Departmental priorities of safety, equity, climate and sustainability, and workforce development, job quality, and wealth creation as described in the USDOT Strategic Plan; the Research, Development and Technology Strategic Plan; the Equity Action Plan and in executive orders.
RIA grants assist entities in developing improved infrastructure priorities and financing strategies for the accelerated development of a project that is eligible for funding under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Credit Program under Chapter 6 of Title 23, United States Code. These grants are intended to support RIAs that: 1) serve a defined geographic area; 2) act as a resource to qualified entities in the geographic area; and 3) demonstrate the effectiveness of the RIA to expedite the delivery of projects eligible for the TIFIA credit program. Projects are not required to apply for or receive TIFIA credit assistance to be eligible; however, applicants who are considering the appropriateness of innovative financing methods to accelerate the delivery of eligible projects are strongly encouraged to apply.
For the purpose of this Program, the Bureau will consider regional designation as broadly defined in the following categories:
- State or Multi-State: An RIA that serves one State or a group of State entities with common interest in transportation projects being delivered.
- Urban or Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO): An RIA that serves a local government or group of local jurisdictions with transportation functions within a metropolitan area. For this Program, if the RIA serves MPOs sharing State boundaries, it would be considered under this category.
- Rural: An RIA that serves a region of rural communities as defined in this notice. An RIA serving multiple rural communities across state lines would be considered under this category.
- Other: Any proposal that includes multiple jurisdictions with shared priorities and interest, such as a river basin, transportation corridor, etc.
Funding Information
A total of $10 million is available for this Program. Depending on the strength of applications and total amount requested, the Bureau anticipates providing grants in the range of $975,000 to $2 million to establish between six and ten new RIAs.
Funding Period
The Bureau intends to award funds on a yearly basis for a base period of two years under a cooperative agreement. A third option year of funding may be provided subject to RIA performance and the availability of funds.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible Applicants: U.S. public entities including state, multi-state, county, municipalities, MPOs, regional transportation planning organizations, Tribal governments, and others. No prior RIA designation is required, but priority will be given to new applicants.
- To be selected as an RIA, an applicant must be an eligible applicant. An eligible applicant is:
- A U.S. public entity, including a state, multi-state or multi-jurisdictional group, municipality, county, a special purpose district or public authority with a transportation function including a port authority or public transportation agency, a Tribal government or consortium of Tribal governments, MPO, regional transportation planning organization (RTPO), Regional Transportation Commission, or a political subdivision of a State or local government, or combination of two or more of the foregoing.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
