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National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration (Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage)

General Grant Program Information

The purpose of the Culvert AOP Competitive Grant Program is to provide funding to eligible entities for the replacement, removal, and repair of culverts or weirs that meaningfully improve or restore fish passage for anadromous fish. Anadromous fish are born in freshwater and spend most of their lives in saltwater, returning to freshwater to spawn. Salmon are a well-known example of anadromous fish.

Opportunity Status:
Open
Posted Date:
06/02/2026
Close Date:
07/16/2026
Eligible Applicants:
State Governments; Local Governments; Federally Recognized Tribes and Affiliated Groups
Eligible Activities:
Planning; Construction; Equipment and Materials
Transportation Type:
Bike/Ped Bridge Pipeline Railway Roadway Transit
Estimated Total Program Funding:
196,000,000
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement:
Yes
Match Waiver:
Yes
Rural Set-Aside:
No
Tribal Set-Aside:
No
Grant Opportunity ID:
FHWA-CAOP-23-001
Grant Opportunity Link:
Grants.gov Opportunity: National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration (Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage)
Links to Additional Information:
Agency:
USDOT / Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

Eligibility Information

Eligible applicants under the Culvert AOP Competitive Grant Program are: 

  • States
  • Units of local government
  • Indian Tribes

Projects eligible for funding are projects for the replacement, removal, or repair of culverts or weirs that: 

  • would meaningfully improve or restore fish passage for anadromous fish; and 
  • with respect to weirs, may include 
    • infrastructure to facilitate fish passage around or over the weir; and 
    • weir improvements (49 United States Code (U.S.C.) § 6703(b))

Eligible projects must have a surface transportation nexus (e.g., involve, relate to, or be situated in close proximity to a road/rail crossing, pipeline, highway, or other surface transportation infrastructure).

Funding Information

This NOFO includes funding of up to $800 million in FYs 2023 through 2026 funding. DOT may also award any remaining and available funds from FY 2022 under this opportunity.

There is no minimum or maximum award amount for the Culvert AOP Competitive Grant Program awards.

The Culvert AOP Competitive Grant Program requires a minimum cost share of 20% except for federally recognized Tribes, which are not required to provide a cost share. States and units of local government who do not provide at least the minimum non-Federal cost share will be classified as ineligible.

Contact Information

Gregory Danis 
culvertaop@dot.gov 

Disclaimer:
The Dashboard provides users with a high-level overview of relevant Federal discretionary grant programs. The information in the Dashboard is maintained as a secondary resource and may not be updated with the most recent changes to each program's primary guidance materials. Accordingly, please refer to the Federal grant-making agency for the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on a grant opportunity in the Dashboard.