$900 Million Available in Infrastructure Grant Funds through BUILD

On April 22, the U.S. Transportation Secretary, Elaine L. Chao, announced the availability of $900 million in Infrastructure Grant Funds. The Department of Transportation's announcement was a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to apply for funding through BUILD Transportation Discretionary Grants program.

To view the Notice of Funding Opportunity, click here.

BUILD stands for the Transportation grants Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development.

BUILD Transportation Grants

“These BUILD Transportation grants will provide needed infrastructure investment to better connect rural and urban communities around our nation,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao.

The grants will be used as investments to improve surface transportation infrastructure and will go to support roads, bridges, transit, rail, ports or intermodal transportation.

The $900 million was made available by The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2019. Under this act, the max grant to be awarded is $25 million per project and no more than $90 million per state.

In an effort to make amends for past under-investment in rural areas, 50% of the BUILD funding will focus on projects located in rural areas that meet selection criteria.

Selection Criteria

The BUILD program focuses on projects in rural areas that improve the condition of infrastructure, provide safe and reliable transportation for communities, and address public health and safety. Projects that boost economic growth or promote self-sufficient energy will also be considered.

Selection Criteria

  • Safety
  • Economic Competitiveness
  • Quality of Life
  • State of Good Repair
  • Innovation
  • Partnerships with Stakeholders

Eligible Applicants

  • States or Governments from:
    • U.S. Territories
    • Transit Agencies
    • Port Authorities
  • Metropolitan Planning Organizations
  • Political Subdivisions
  • Multiple Agencies Applying Jointly

Applying for the BUILD Transportation Grants

The DOT will be hosting a series of special topic webinars to assist applicants with the BUILD grant application process. The webinars are set to begin on Tuesday, April 30th. They will be recorded and used as a resource for those applying for grants or preparing applications.

Registration and further details about these webinars is available on the U.S. Department of Transportation website.

Applications will be submitted through grants.gov and will require a cost and benefit analysis.

The deadline for applications is 8:00 P.M. E.D.T. on July 15, 2019.