RAISE transportation grant applications sought

Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE), a competitive grant program that provides investments in road, rail, transit and port projects that have a significant local or regional impact, is accepting applications through Feb. 28.

Administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation and funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, RAISE will award $1.5 billion in fiscal 2023. Grantees may receive up to $25 million per project and will receive no less than $1 million for rural-area projects and $5 million for urban-area projects. No more than $225 million awarded to a single state.

The notice of funding opportunity is available online.

For urban projects, the federal cost share is capped at 80%, except for projects located in an Area of Persistent Poverty or a Historically Disadvantaged Community. The cost share may exceed 80% for rural projects.

The USDOT seeks to award projects that improve equity and environmental justice by addressing transportation-related disparities and climate change-related consequences, as well as projects that target at least 40% of resources and benefits toward low-income communities, disadvantaged communities, communities underserved by affordable transportation, or overburdened communities.

Capital and planning projects will be funded for surface transportation infrastructure projects that will improve safety; environmental sustainability; quality of life; mobility and community connectivity; economic competitiveness and opportunity, including tourism; state of good repair; partnership and collaboration; and innovation.

At least $75 million will be awarded for planning projects, and at least $15 million will be awarded for projects located in areas of persistent poverty or historically disadvantaged communities.

Applicants may submit up to three project applications, and applications are being accepted via Grants.gov.

For more information, contact the Office of Infrastructure Finance and Innovation at RAISEgrants@dot.gov or 202-366-0301.