RCN Frequently Asked Questions

The RCN Program provides opportunities to redress the legacy of harm from transportation infrastructure including: construction-related displacement, environmental degradation, limited access to goods and services, degraded public health due to air and noise pollution, limited opportunities for physical activity, and hampered economic vitality of the surrounding community.

The NOFO provides funding for three types of grants: Community Planning Grants, Capital Construction Grants, and Regional Partnerships Challenge Grants. 

• Community Planning Grants are for eligible feasibility studies of removing, retrofitting, or mitigating an existing facility to restore community connectivity or minimize burdens on the community, conducting public engagement activities, and other transportation planning activities, for example, conceptual and preliminary engineering or design and studies that support the environmental review for a construction project. 
• Capital Construction Grants are for eligible activities, including predevelopment/preconstruction and permitting activities including the completion of the NEPA process; the removal, retrofit, or mitigation of an eligible facility; and the replacement of an eligible facility with a new facility that restores community connectivity; and costs of community benefits and mitigation of impacts identified in NEPA or other planning and project development processes for the capital construction project.
• Regional Partnerships Challenge Grants are for eligible activities under Community Planning Grants and Capital Construction Grants through partnerships of at least two entities from local governments, tribal governments, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, State DOTs, and non-profit, private, and community partners to tackle persistent, regional, equitable access and mobility challenges. 

RCP Community Planning Grants:

1. a State;  
2. a unit of local government;  
3. a Tribal government;  
4. a Metropolitan Planning Organization; or 
5. a non-profit organization

RCP Capital Construction Grants:

1. owner(s) of the eligible facility proposed in the project for which all necessary feasibility studies and other planning activities have been completed; or 
2. a partnership between a facility owner (#1 above) and any eligible RCP Community Planning Grant applicant. 

NAE Community Planning, Capital Construction, and Regional Partnerships Challenge Grants:

1. a State or territory of the United States; 
2. a unit of local government; 
3. a political subdivision of a State; 
4. a Tribal government; 
5. a special purpose district or public authority with a transportation function; 
6. a Metropolitan Planning Organization; or 
7. a nonprofit organization or institution of higher education that has entered into a partnership with an eligible entity (#1-6 above) and is applying for planning and capacity building activities in disadvantaged or underserved communities.

The RCN Grant Opportunity welcomes applications from diverse local, Tribal, and regional communities regardless of size, location, and experience administering Federal funding awards.

Yes, partnerships are encouraged and are included in the merit criteria, especially for the Regional Partnerships Challenge grants. 

No, facilities owned by the Federal government are not eligible facilities under the RCN program.

The FY 2023 RCN Grant Opportunity includes an updated definition of an economically disadvantaged community and different tools to determine whether a project is located within an economically disadvantaged community.

The NAE Statute defines economically disadvantaged communities as a community that:

• (A)    is economically disadvantaged, underserved, or located in an area of persistent poverty;
• (B)    has entered or will enter into a community benefits agreement with representatives of the community;
• (C)    has an anti-displacement policy, a community land trust, or a community advisory board in effect; or
• (D)    has demonstrated a plan for employing local residents in the area impacted by the activity or project proposed under this section.

A project located in both (1) areas that are Disadvantaged Communities and (2) areas that are not Disadvantaged Communities will be designated as Disadvantaged Communities if the majority the project’s costs will be spent in the areas that qualify as Disadvantaged Communities. For RCN Community Planning grants and Regional Partnerships Challenge grants with planning activities, the location being planned, prepared or designed will be used for the Disadvantaged Community designation. Projects that fall on the border of a Disadvantaged and Non-Disadvantaged Community will be considered as Disadvantaged Communities.

Applicants should use the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) to identify geographically defined disadvantaged or underserved communities.

U.S. Territories are not eligible to apply for Planning Grants. Otherwise eligible entities located in or serving U.S. Territories are eligible to apply for Planning Grants. The Owner of a Facility is eligible for a Capital Construction grant, even if a facility is located in a U.S. Territory. 

Yes, COGs and RTPOs would be eligible as units of local government. 

Yes. Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia are eligible for both types of grants.

Yes, a transit authority would generally be eligible for a Planning Grant as a unit of local government or as a non-profit organization. For a Capital Construction Grant, a transit agency would also need to be the facility owner or partner with that owner.

Yes, private Facility Owners are eligible to apply for Capital Construction grants. Private sector entities are not eligible recipients of Planning Grants. However, private sector entities may partner with an eligible applicant or provide funding for a RCP Program project. 

A public university may be eligible for a planning grant as a State or unit of local government, depending on how the university is chartered.  A private, nonprofit university may be eligible for a planning grant as a nonprofit organization, depending on how the university is chartered. Any university is eligible for a capital construction grant if it is an owner of an eligible facility. See RCP and NAE eligibility FAQs for slight differences between the programs.

RCP and NAE each have their own specific funding restrictions, including award size, matching requirements, and types of projects. See the individual FAQs and the program NOFO for additional information.

In total, for the RCN Program, the Department expects to award up to $188 million to Community Planning Grants, up to $2.718 billion to Capital Construction Grants, and up to $450 million to Regional Partnerships Challenge Grants. 

RCP Community Planning Grants:

• 80% RCP funds and 20% local match

RCP Capital Construction Grants:

• RCP grant funding may not exceed 50% of the total cost of the project. Other Federal funds may be used to bring the total Federal share up to a maximum of 80% of the total cost of the project.

NAE Community Planning, Capital Construction, and Regional Partnerships Challenge Grants:

• 80% NAE funds and 20% local match
• Projects in a disadvantaged or underserved community do not require a local match

DOT understands that the amount allocated for Capital Construction Grants in FY 2023 may not cover the recipient’s full request. If a Capital Construction Grant recipient does not receive the full funds requested, the funded project will receive a ‘RCN Program Extra’ designation. If a project designated ‘RCN Program Extra’ applies for funding under the FY 2024 – FY 2026 Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) or Multimodal Projects Discretionary Grant (MPDG) programs and is determined eligible, DOT will deem the RCN Program project application ‘Highly Recommended’ subject to evaluation with the relevant program’s merit criteria. The Department will still consider the project’s alignment with the relevant program’s requirements and any project risks before making any award to that project. Projects with this designation that apply for DOT financing programs, such as the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) program and Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) program, will be considered for assistance to the extent permissible under law.

RCN Program grants are to be awarded on a competitive basis. The RCN grant review and selection process consists of: eligibility review; Merit Criteria review; Project Readiness; Benefit-Cost Analysis (reviewed, if submitted, but required only for RCP Capital Construction Grants); and Senior Review. The Secretary makes final project selections. Grants are to be evaluated on a set of merit criteria (Equity and Environmental Justice; Access; Facility Suitability; Community Engagement and Community-based Stewardship, Management, and Partnerships; Equitable Development; Climate and Environment; and Workforce Development and Economic Opportunity). Applications that are ‘Highly Recommended’ based on Merit Criteria evaluation advance to Second-Tier Analysis for Project Readiness review. Project Readiness review is an assessment of the technical capacity, financial completeness, and for Capital Construction Grants and Regional Partnerships Grants with construction activities, environmental risk. For RCP Capital Construction Grants, in the Second-Tier analysis, a consideration of benefit-cost analysis will also occur.

Community Planning Grants
BIL specifies that the maximum Community Planning Grant award funded with RCP funds is $2 million. There is no maximum award amount for a Community Planning Grant award funded with NAE funds. 

Capital Construction Grants
BIL specifies that the minimum Capital Construction Grant award funded with RCP funds is $5 million. There is no minimum award amount for a Capital Construction Grant award funded with NAE funds. If a project is partially funded, project components executed through the RCN Program must demonstrate independent utility.

NAE Regional Partnerships Challenge Grants 
DOT anticipates awarding three to five Regional Partnerships Challenge Grants.

RCP and NAE each have their own specific funding restrictions, including award size, matching requirements, and types of projects, but there is no set number on how many awards will be made.

Matching funds may include non-Federal sources such as: 

• State funds originating from programs funded by State revenue, 
• Local funds originating from State or local revenue-funded programs,
• Philanthropic funds, or
• Private funds

Please go to the DOT Navigator site for more information about Federal match requirements.

Yes, grant recipients may also use in-kind contributions toward local match requirements so long as those contributions meet the federal legal requirements. In-kind contributions may include compensation for community members’ time, materials, pro bono work provided to the project by third parties, and donations from private sponsors. Any in-kind contributions used to fulfill the cost-share requirement for Community Planning Grants, Capital Construction Grants, and Regional Partnerships Challenge Grants must: be in accordance the cost principles in 2 CFR Part 200, Subpart E; including 2 CFR § 200.306

A lead applicant may submit no more than three applications for Community Planning Grants, two applications for Capital Construction Grants, and one application for NAE Regional Partnerships Challenge Grants. Unrelated project components should not be bundled in a single application for the purpose of adhering to the limit. If a lead applicant submits more applications, only the last received, up to the respective limit for each grant type, will be reviewed.

In general, RCN Program funds are administered on a reimbursement basis. Grant recipients will generally be required to pay project costs upfront using their own funds, and then request reimbursement for those costs through billings. If a recipient cannot complete a project on a reimbursement basis, DOT will—on a case-by-case basis—consider recipient requests to use alternate payment methods as described in 2 CFR 200.305(b), including advance payments and working capital advances.

An applicant may seek the same award amounts from multiple Department discretionary opportunities or a combination of funding from multiple Department opportunities. The applicant should identify and describe any other Department programs and opportunities they intend to apply for (or utilize if the Federal funding is already available to the applicant) and what award amounts they will be seeking in the appropriate sections.

Yes. Non-State recipients may enter into a contractual agreement with their State DOT for assistance with project activities that comply with state law and the applicable procurement standards (see 2 CFR 200.318 through 200.327). In this relationship, the non-State recipient would reimburse the State DOT for eligible project activities as outlined in their contractual agreement. Direct costs incurred by the non-State recipient during the period of performance that satisfy the requirements in 2 CFR part 200, subpart E, including 2 CFR 200.403, are allowable and eligible for reimbursement by the Federal agency.

Of note:

• If a State DOT is compensated for activities via a contractual agreement with a non-State recipient, the costs associated with those activities cannot be included under the State DOT’s indirect cost rate. (See 2 CFR 200.403). It is essential that each item of cost incurred for the same purpose be treated consistently in like circumstances, either as a direct or an indirect cost, in order to avoid possible double-charging of Federal awards. (See 2 CFR 200.412).
• The Federal agency has no direct relationship with a contractor or subrecipient under a Federal award. As such, management of contracts or subawards is the responsibility of the recipient.

Yes. Providing support to local communities is considered an administrative cost which may be eligible as an indirect cost. State DOTs may be reimbursed with Federal funds for assisting non-State direct recipients with grant administration assistance if they have an approved indirect cost rate. Grant administration assistance is considered an indirect cost because it supports the entire program. Indirect costs may include labor, rent, capital expenditures, and supplies that benefit multiple projects (see 2 CFR 200.414, and Appendix VII, paragraph A.4). State DOTs must have an approved indirect cost rate that allocates those costs to all benefitting programs (see 2 CFR 200.414 and appendix VII to part 200, paragraph D.1.b). If the State DOT does not have an approved indirect cost rate, the State DOT cannot bill indirect or administrative costs unless specifically authorized in legislation. (See 2 CFR part 200, Appendix VII, paragraph D.1.a)

• If this type of assistance impacts the amount of resources necessary to maintain the transportation program at the State DOT in that the information upon which the cost allocation plan was originally negotiated is materially incomplete, the State DOT may renegotiate its indirect cost rate with the Federal cognizant agency. (See 2 CFR part 200, Appendix VII, paragraph E)

Only for RCP Capital grants can other Federal funds in addition to an RCP grant be used to pay for capital project costs up to 80% of total project costs. In general, other Federal funds cannot be used to exceed that 80% threshold. For limited exceptions, see FAQ - "May Federal funds be used to satisfy the local match requirement?"

Note: The Coordinating Council on Access and Mobility (CCAM) Federal Fund Braiding Guide is a catalog of other Federal assistance and provides information about when that Federal assistance can be combined with other Federal funding.  The guide defines Federal fund braiding for local match and examines whether Federal fund braiding is allowable for 61 programs across CCAM agencies that may fund transportation. These programs may be helpful for applicants to consider in meeting the Federal funds maximum. See - https://www.transit.dot.gov/regulations-and-programs/ccam/about/coordinating-council-access-and-mobility-ccam-federal-fund  

No, the RCN program does not allow for States to use the sliding scale to adjust Non-Federal match. The RCN's specific cost share requirement supersedes this. See the Cost Sharing and Matching section of the NOFO.

CFR § 200.1 defines "in-kind contributions" only in the context of "third-party in-kind contributions" and means the value of cash or non-cash contributions (i.e., property or services) that: 1) Benefit a federally-assisted project or program; and 2) Are contributed by non-Federal third parties, without charge, to a non-Federal entity under a Federal award.

RCP recipients may satisfy the required match through cash or through the value of non-cash assets that are actively accruing expenses (examples include: property, equipment, utilities, etc.) and are resources that the applicant is contributing to achieve the purposes of the grant award. 

A third-party in-kind contribution may be cash or non-cash. DOT classifies volunteer time and other donations from the non-recipient as third-party in-kind contributions. Please visit the DOT Navigator resource for more information and Understanding Non-Federal Match for the RCP Program.

No. A Congressional earmark is Federal funding. Non-Federal or local match must be comprised on non-Federal funds except for limited exceptions. See related FAQ.

Yes, Transportation Development Credits / Toll Credits may be used in the RCN Program. See the FHWA Memo "Updated Toll Credit Guidance," dated September 14, 2021 -  https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/ipd/finance/tools_programs/federal_aid/matching_strategies/HOP-210910-001-HCF-001_Action%20Memo-Tol_Credit_for_NonFederal_Share_HCF.pdf

Yes, applicants who receive a Planning Grant will be eligible to apply for a Capital Construction Grant in subsequent application cycles, should they meet the eligibility criteria. 

No, non-Federal share is not a selection criterion. 

Activities eligible for both RCP and NAE include: Preliminary and detailed design activities and associated environmental studies; predevelopment / preconstruction; construction; permitting activities including the completion of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process for:

• The removal, retrofit, or mitigation of an eligible dividing facility;
• The replacement of an eligible dividing facility with a new facility that restores community connectivity; or
• Delivering community benefits and environmental improvements or mitigation of impacts identified through the NEPA process or other planning and project development for the construction project. Please see the NAE FAQs for additional eligible activities (add link). 

No, operating costs are not eligible under the RCN Program. 

An RCN project may contain multiple components that address the same transportation facility that creates a barrier to community connectivity.  Multiple facilities may be treated as a single facility if there is a clear spatial relationship between adjacent components and those facilities in close proximity collectively create a barrier to connectivity.

Land acquisition is not allowable under an RCN Planning Grant.

For a Construction Grant, land acquisition prior to the conclusion of the NEPA processes consideration of alternatives is not generally allowed (23 CFR 771.113(a)). Once the NEPA decision has been made (i.e., Record of Decision, Finding of No Significant Impact, or Categorical Exclusion, as appropriate) is complete, RCP grant funds may be used to acquire property.  However, early acquisition of ROW may be allowable if consistent with 23 U.S.C. 108 and 23 CFR 710.501.  All acquisitions of ROW must also comply with 49 CFR part 24 (regulations implementing the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Act).

Community Planning Grants:

• RCP and NAE:
  • Conducting public engagement activities
  • Planning studies to assess the feasibility of removing, retrofitting, or mitigating an existing eligible dividing facility to reconnect communities
  • Other planning activities in support of the project
• NAE Only:
  • Planning and capacity building activities in disadvantaged or underserved communities to identify, monitor or assess air quality, emissions, hot spot areas or extreme heat, gaps in tree canopy coverage, or flood-prone transportation infrastructure
  • Planning studies to assess the feasibility of removing, retrofitting, or mitigating an existing eligible burdening facility, and predevelopment activities for eligible NAE Capital Construction projects
  • Assess transportation equity or pollution impacts
  • Administer or obtain technical assistance related to other eligible planning activities

Capital Construction Grants:

• RCP and NAE:
  • Preliminary and detailed design activities and associated environmental studies; predevelopment/preconstruction; or permitting activities, including completion of NEPA process, for:
  • Removal, retrofit, or mitigation of an eligible dividing facility
  • Replacement of an eligible dividing facility with a new facility that restores community connectivity
  • Delivering community benefits and the mitigation of impacts identified through the NEPA process or other planning and project development for the construction project
• NAE Only:
  • Preliminary and detailed design activities and associated environmental studies; predevelopment/preconstruction; or permitting activities, including completion of NEPA process, for:
  • The reuse of a facility to improve walkability, safety, and affordable transportation access through projects that are context sensitive
  • Projects to mitigate or remediate negative impacts on the human or natural environment resulting from a burdening facility
  • Building or improving complete streets, multiuse trails, regional greenways, or active transportation networks and spines
  • Providing affordable access to essential destinations, such as through transit, to public spaces, or transportation links and hubs

Regional Partnerships Challenge Grants:

• NAE Only:
  • Activities under Community Planning Grants and Capital Construction Grants through partnerships of at least two eligible entities to tackle persistent, regional equitable access and mobility challenges

During the project’s period of performance, recipients must submit regular Performance Progress Reports (SF-PPR) and Federal Financial Reports (SF-425) to monitor project administration and ensure accountability and financial transparency in the RCP and NAE Programs.
RCN Grant Opportunity recipients must also submit annual reports that address both project administration and the overall benefits delivered to the project area that were articulated in the applicants’ grant proposal and agreed upon with DOT in the grant agreement prior to the obligation of the award. Five years after the project is complete, Capital Construction Grant recipients should submit a report fully documenting outcomes achieved in association with the RCN Grant Opportunity project. 

DOT will provide technical assistance for grantees and potential grantees under the RCN Grant Opportunity through the forthcoming Reconnecting Communities Institute (RCI)[1] launching later in 2023. Enrollment into the RCI will be open to States, local and tribal governments, metropolitan planning organizations, and nonprofit organizations. DOT will prioritize enrollment for entities serving economically disadvantaged communities, including rural and tribal communities.  For more information about the RCI, please visit:  https://www.transportation.gov/grants/rcnprogram/reconnecting-communities-institute-rci 

No, operating costs are not eligible under the RNP Program. 

Yes, there is a priority for transformative solutions that serve all users, including those with disabilities.

RCN Planning Grants may fund planning activities related to non-transportation community amenities and benefits so long as they are directly connected to assessing the feasibility and impacts of removing, retrofitting, or mitigating an existing eligible facility, engaging the public on such issues, or if DOT determines that they are required in advance to design a project to remove, retrofit, or mitigate an existing eligible facility. The RCP NOFO, at section C.3.i, identified some of these potential planning activities: 

“Associated needs such as locally-driven land use and zoning reform, transit-oriented development, housing supply, in particular location-efficient affordable housing, managing gentrification and neighborhood change, proposed project impact mitigation, green and open space, local history and culture, access and mobility barriers, jobs and workforce, or other necessary planning activities as put forth by the applicant that do not result in construction.” 

RCN Capital Construction Grants and matching funds are treated as Title 23 funds, with some flexibility to fund the construction of non-transportation community amenities and benefits only if they (i) demonstrate a clear and direct connection to a transportation project, and (ii) are necessary to carry out such project to remove, retrofit, or mitigate an existing eligible facility in order to restore community connectivity, and under the following constraints: 

Broadband: The installation of broadband may be an eligible expenditure only if the broadband is within the highway ROW and the technology is used to meet a transportation-related purpose, such as connecting traffic control devices to an operations facility. See - https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policy/otps/workplan.cfm#use 
Utilities (I.e., lines for communications, power, water, etc.): Only the costs of preliminary engineering and allied services for utilities, the acquisition of replacement right-of-way for utilities, and the physical construction work associated with utility relocations.  Utility relocation costs are eligible only if State law allows for State funds to be used for those costs. See - https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-23/chapter-I/subchapter-G/part-645 
Parks and Landscaping: Non-transportation elements of parks such as plants, trees, roadside development, and landscaping are eligible for RCP funds if they are in the right of way or on adjoining scenic lands.  
23 USC 319 - Landscaping and Scenic Enhancement, See - https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title23-section319&num=0&edition=prelim,  
23 CFR Part 752 - Landscape and Roadside Development, See - https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-23/chapter-I/subchapter-H/part-752 
Public Facilities: RCP may fund publicly owned and controlled rest and recreation areas, and sanitary and other facilities reasonably necessary to accommodate the traveling public.  
23 USC 319 - Landscaping and Scenic Enhancement, See - https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title23-section319&num=0&edition=prelim,  
23 CFR Part 752 - Landscape and Roadside Development, See - https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-23/chapter-I/subchapter-H/part-752 
Community Land Trust: Whether the costs of acquiring or transferring land to a land trust are allowable would be a fact-specific determination based on the relationship of the trust to the RCP project. See also FAQ: Can the acquisition of land for a Community Land Trust be funded with an RCP Capital Construction Grant? 

Non-transportation community amenities or benefits outside the scenarios outlined in the above guidance, such as affordable housing, are generally not eligible for RCN funding except when the Federal Highway Administration determines they are necessary under NEPA to mitigate adverse impacts, including cumulative impacts related to the direct and indirect impacts resulting from the RCP transportation project. While these non-transportation community amenities and benefits could be eligible in such circumstances, that determination would depend on the project-specific outcome of the NEPA process. These mitigation commitments must have a nexus to and be commensurate with the project’s impacts and represent a reasonable public expenditure, consistent with 23 C.F.R. 771.105(e). 

Whether the costs of a land trust are allowable would be a fact-specific determination based on the relationship of the trust to the RCN project. Non-transportation community amenities or benefits outside the scenarios outlined in FAQ “Can a RCP grant fund planning for, or implementation or construction of, non-transportation community amenities and benefits such as affordable housing, community land trusts, parks and park amenities, or buildings?” are generally not eligible for RCN funding except when the Federal Highway Administration determines they are necessary under NEPA to mitigate adverse impacts, including cumulative impacts related to the direct and indirect impacts resulting from the RCP transportation project. While these non-transportation community amenities and benefits could be eligible in such circumstances, that determination would depend on the project-specific outcome of the NEPA process. These mitigation commitments must have a nexus to and be commensurate with the project’s adverse impacts and represent a reasonable public expenditure, consistent with 23 C.F.R. 771.105(e). 

Certain RCP Projects will generate surplus land in the transportation right-of-way that can be leased or sold by the right-of-way owner. FHWA may approve that sale at less than the fair market value if there is an overall public interest based on social, environmental, or economic benefits, or if the sale is for non-proprietary governmental use. See 23 CFR 710.403(e)(1).  In that way, an RCP Capital Construction Grant may facilitate the transfer of land in the transportation right-of-way to a Community Land Trust for a cost lower than the fair market value. Exceptions to the requirement for charging fair market value must be submitted to FHWA in writing. See 23 CFR 710.403(e). The Federal share of net income from the use or disposal of real property interests obtained with title 23 funds shall be used by the grantee for activities eligible for funding under title 23. See 23 CFR 710.403(f). See more here: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-23/chapter-I/subchapter-H/part-710/subpart-D/section-710.403#p-710.403(a) 

Under 2 CFR 200.317 and 1201.317, if the recipient of the RCP grant is a state, then the recipient must follow the same policies and procedures it uses for procurements from its non-Federal funds, and the answer to this question is dependent on those policies and procedures.

If the recipient is not a state, the answer is yes, the same firm may be hired if necessary competition requirements are satisfied. Per CFR 200.319, all procurement transactions must be conducted in a manner that provides full and open competition, eliminates unfair competitive advantage, and ensures objective contractor performance. Project sponsors must avoid creating situations that would unfairly favor the firm that helped develop the RCP application or preclude other firms from competing. Additionally, the contractor that the project sponsor hires to draft its solicitation for proposals for the construction project design and engineering work must be excluded from competing for that procurement.

RCP funds are subject to the requirements of 23 CFR 172, including the restrictions at 172.7(a) for the procurement of engineering and design-related services through: competitive negotiation (qualifications-based selection) procurement, small purchases procurement for small dollar value contracts, and noncompetitive procurement where specific conditions exist allowing solicitation and negotiation to take place with a single consultant.

RCP Program grant funds are available until expended. NAE funds are available to be obligated until September 30, 2026. However, to ensure that projects are started and completed efficiently, DOT encourages all projects awarded with FY 2023 RCN Program funds to be obligated by the same date of September 30, 2026. DOT retains the right to prioritize projects for selection that are most likely to achieve this timeline and choose from which source to award funds to recipients, as applicable.  

Eligible activities for Capital construction grants are preliminary and detailed design activities and associated environmental studies; predevelopment/preconstruction, NEPA, and permitting processes; and construction. Therefore, prior to applying, a potential applicant should complete adequate planning activities, such as engaging with the public to understand the public’s needs and interests, evaluating relevant data, and/or developing a conceptual design for the intended project, to be ready for the intended capital construction activities. The planning activities could result in a completed feasibility study, planning study, or alternatives analysis commensurate with the complexities of the potential capital construction grant. 
 
For example, an applicant considering funding for NEPA and preconstruction activities should have an understanding of the public’s needs and interests, evaluated relevant data, and completed conceptual design activities to understand the scope and schedule for the grant application and to ensure the efficient completion of the capital construction grant activities. Suppose an applicant is considering funding for construction to replace an eligible dividing facility with a new facility that restores community connectivity. In that case, an applicant should complete the preliminary design, NEPA, permitting processes, and preconstruction activities to understand the scope and schedule for the grant application and to ensure completion of the capital construction grant activities.
 

 A Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) is a contract between a developer and community-based organizations representing residents' interests.

For Capital Construction Grants, preliminary and detailed design activities and associated environmental studies; predevelopment / preconstruction; permitting activities including the completion of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process are required. Community planning applicants do not need to submit NEPA approval.

RCP Capital Construction Grant applicants are required to submit the results of a benefit cost analysis (BCA). NAE Program applicants do not need to submit the results of a BCA, and the BCA will not be used to evaluate the NAE application.

Eligible projects for RCN Capital Construction Grants include those for which all necessary feasibility studies and other planning activities have been completed. Projects must be consistent with the Long-Range Statewide Transportation Plan, included in the Metropolitan Long-Range Plan (if applicable), and in the Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) and/or Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP), Tribal Transportation Improvement Program (TTIP) or equivalent, as applicable, prior to the obligation of the award. Transit projects must be included in the investment prioritization of the relevant Transit Asset Management (TAM) Plan by the time of the obligation of the award. 

To find the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) with jurisdiction for your community, consult this MPO Database - https://www.planning.dot.gov/mpo/

To understand if your area is located within an MPO boundary, FHWA maintains a map of MPO boundaries.  https://hepgis.fhwa.dot.gov/fhwagis/

If you are located outside of the jurisdiction of an MPO, please contact your State Department of Transportation. 

To learn more, please see: The Transportation Planning Process Briefing Book: Key Issues for Transportation Decisionmakers, Officials, and Staff.  https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/publications/briefing_book/fhwahep18015.pdf

MPOs and States are not required to include RCP Planning Grants in the STIP/TIP. MPOs are required to document RCP Planning Grant activities in the Unified Planning Work Program or a simplified statement of work and States are required to document RCP Planning Grant activities in the State Planning & Research work program prior to obligation of the award in accordance with 23 CFR 450.308 and 23 CFR part 420.

Eligible projects for the Capital Construction Grant include those for which all necessary feasibility studies and other planning activities have been completed. Eligible Capital Construction Grant activities include preconstruction and permitting activities including the completion of the NEPA process; the removal retrofit, or mitigation of an eligible facility with a new facility that restores community connectivity; and costs of community benefits and mitigation of impacts identified in the NEPA or other planning process for the capital construction project. 

Yes, RCP (RCN?) program funds may be used for activities that support environmental review / NEPA compliance, for example: community engagement, impact assessment (human and natural environment), engineering, and mitigation. For Capital Construction applications, the Environmental Risk element of the Project Readiness evaluation assesses the status of a project’s environmental approvals and the likelihood of outstanding, necessary approvals affecting the timeline for the obligation of the award. See NOFO.

Yes, if the existing project is eligible for the RCP program, it could qualify to receive an RCN planning or capital construction grant. Note that expenses accrued prior to the obligation of the award would not be reimbursable, and project sponsors should ensure that budgeted total project expenditures are compliant with Federal requirements. For example: construction activity and related expenses incurred prior to the completion of a NEPA determination could make the project ineligible for RCN funding. 
 
What is required for a project funded locally to date to be eligible to receive RCN funds?

For existing projects that have not yet started construction, have been funded locally up to this point, and for which the RCP award would represent the first DOT funding stream, there are likely to be supplemental analyses needed for Federal approvals. For example, the project would need to satisfy Federal NEPA requirements.  Applicants may utilize existing information compiled for any State level analysis to date to support the Federally-required NEPA document. Other types of analyses may be required, such as those related to Federal requirements under provisions such as, among others: the National Historic Preservation Act, DOT's "Section 4(f)" safeguards for park and recreation lands, and wildlife and waterfowl refuge protection laws; Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice; and the Clean Air Act project conformity requirements. In order for a Capital Construction award to receive funds, the project must be included in the STIP/TIP by the time the project award is obligated. Please see related FAQ on this pre-requisite for Capital Construction.  Please see the RCPP NOFO for more details on general Federal requirements. 

All applications should submit the following: Standard Forms, Key Information, Narrative, and Budget. This information must be submitted via Valid Eval at [Community Planning Applications/Capital Construction Applications]. More detailed information about each application material is provided in the NOFO. The necessary file formats for each application component will be displayed on the Valid Eval intake site. Supplemental material beyond the application narrative page limit may be included as an appendix or linked. For example, this could be done to substantiate partnerships, prior studies, civil rights compliance, for the Capital Construction pre-requisite, and for Project Readiness materials related to Environmental Risk and Benefit Cost Analysis. Evaluators will prioritize the review of this material to substantiate information in the application narrative. Providing additional information beyond what the NOFO requires is optional and may not be reviewed.

All Letters of Support should be addressed to the Secretary of Transportation. If an application was submitted under the first round, letters of support would need to be  updated, as much can change over the course of a year.

DOT encourages joint applications from place-based partnerships headed by a lead applicant. A lead applicant may submit no more than (3) applications for Community Planning Grants, (2) applications for Capital Construction Grants, and (1) application for NAE Regional Partnerships Challenge Grants. Unrelated project components should not be bundled in a single application for the purpose of adhering to the limit.  If a lead applicant submits more applications, only the last received, up to the respective limit for each grant type, will be reviewed.

Please consult the Census Bureau's video about the Census Reporter tool - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Goomfqw7jIU to learn about "How to Conduct an 'Address Search' to Access Data for your Location" to find data about your location and to identify geographic code identifiers for your facility location and project area

Applications must be submitted via Valid Eval, an online proposal submission system used by USDOT, by Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 11:59 PM ET via Valid Eval at https://usg.valideval.com/teams/rcn_planning/signup for Community Planning Grants and Regional Partnerships Challenge Grants with planning activities, and at https://usg.valideval.com/teams/rcn_capitalconstruction/signup for Capital Construction Grants and Regional Partnerships Challenge Grants with construction activities. Customer support for Valid Eval can be reached at support@valideval.com. Only applicants who comply with all submission requirements described and submit applications through Valid Eval on or before the application deadline will be eligible for award.

To help streamline the process for applicants, the Department has combined the RCP and NAE Programs applications into the RCN common application. Applications are submitted through Valid Eval instead of Grants.gov. Applicants are encouraged to apply to both programs to maximize their potential of receiving Federal support. RCN Opportunity applicants will be considered across both programs unless they opt out. The application structure for the key information table and other application submission details has been standardized through Valid Eval.

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM EDT on Thursday, September 28, 2023. Late applications will not be accepted.

Yes, applications are submitted through Valid Eval instead of Grants.gov. The application structure for the key information table questions and other application submission details has been standardized through Valid Eval. 

The FY 2023 RCN Program includes an updated definition of an economically disadvantaged community, with applicants encouraged to use Climate & Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST), a new tool by the White House Council on Environmental Quality, that aims to help Federal agencies identify disadvantaged communities as part of the Justice40 initiative to accomplish the goal that 40% of benefits from certain federal investment reach disadvantaged communities. Applicants should use CEJST as the primary tool to identify disadvantaged communities (Justice40 communities). Applicants are strongly encouraged to use the USDOT Equitable Transportation Community (ETC) Explorer to understand how their community or project area is experiencing disadvantage related to lack of transportation investments or opportunities. Through understanding how a community or project area is experiencing transportation-related disadvantage, applicants are able to address how the benefits of a project will reverse or mitigate the burdens of disadvantage and demonstrate how the project will address challenges and accrued benefits. See Section H.1. Definitions in the NOFO for more information. 

The FY 2023 RCN Program uses the term Community Planning Grants instead of Planning Grants, as in the FY 2022 RCP Program. 

The FY 2023 RCN Program will be evaluated under common project outcome criteria (formally labeled in FY 2022 as “merit criteria”) that apply to both the RCP Program and NAE Program within the RCN Program, as described in Section E of the NOFO. The common project outcome criteria retain similar concepts from the FY 2022 RCP merit criteria but are separated into more specific criteria and include additional considerations from the NAE Program. See Section E of the NOFO for more information. 

Nonprofit applicants should provide information describing how they are legally organized and confirming their nonprofit tax status.

An “eligible expense” is an expense incurred by the RCP grant recipient that directly facilitates the execution of a grant agreement and its activities and must be “reasonable,” “necessary,” and “allocable” (2 CFR Part 200.403[a], 404, and 405). Eligible expenses comprise the total project cost for the grant including funding through the RCP Program and non-Federal match. Matching eligible expenses must be documented appropriately to be counted towards a match. Please note - ALL expenses counted as non-Federal match must be otherwise eligible for RCP funding. See related guidance on Understanding Non-Federal Match for the RCP Program.

Spring 2024

You may opt out of being considered, but if you do not opt out, you would be considered for both.