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National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) Program

General Grant Program Information

The National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) Program was created in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to fund major projects that are too large or complex for traditional funding programs and are likely to generate national or regional economic, mobility, or safety benefits. It is a highly competitive program.

USDOT is combining three major discretionary grant programs—for the Mega, INFRA, and Rural Surface Transportation Grant (Rural) programs—and two fiscal years of funding into one Multimodal Projects Discretionary Grant (MPDG) opportunity to reduce the burden for state and local applicants and increase the pipeline of “shovel-worthy” projects that are now possible because of BIL.

A benefit-cost analysis (BCA) is required for these grant programs. For more information about BCAs, see What Is a BCA? and USDOT's Benefit-Cost Analysis Guidance for Discretionary Grants.

Opportunity Status:
Closed
Posted Date:
Close Date:
Eligible Applicants:
State Governments; Local Governments; Federally Recognized Tribes and Affiliated Groups; Planning and Project Organizations
Eligible Activities:
Planning; Construction
Transportation Type:
Bridge Maritime Railway Roadway
Most Recent Annual Program Funding Amount:
$1.7 Billion
Annual Award Amount:
$0 - $1 Billion
Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement:
Yes
Match Waiver:
No
Grant Opportunity ID:
NIPA-25-26-MEGA
Grant Opportunity Link:
Grants.gov Opportunity: Mega Grants
Links to Additional Information:
Agency:
USDOT / Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST)

Eligibility Information

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants for Mega grants include the following: 

  1. A State or a group of States
  2. A metropolitan planning organization
  3. A unit of local government
  4. A political subdivision of a State
  5. A special purpose district or public authority with a transportation function, including a port authority
  6. A Tribal government or a consortium of Tribal governments
  7. A partnership between Amtrak and 1 or more entities described in (1) through (6) 
  8. A group of entities described in any of (1) through (7)

Eligible Uses

Eligible projects under Mega grants include the following: 

  1. A highway or bridge project on the National Multimodal Freight Network
  2. A highway or bridge project on the National Highway Freight Network
  3. A highway or bridge project on the National Highway System
  4. A freight intermodal (including public ports) or freight rail project that provides public benefit
  5. A railway highway grade separation or elimination project
  6. An intercity passenger rail project
  7. A public transportation project that is eligible under assistance under Chapter 53 of Title 49 and is a part of any of the project types described above

Funding Information

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides $5 billion for Mega over 5 years, of which approximately $1.7 billion remains and will be made available through this NOFO. 

Half of the funds available in each fiscal year is reserved for projects greater than $500 million in cost, and half is reserved for projects greater than $100 million but less than $500 million in cost.

See the Notice of Funding Opportunity and the Mega webpage for additional funding information.

Contact Information

MPDGrants@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.

Last updated Date: