Federal Railroad Administration: Key Grant Programs
Agency Description
The Federal Railroad Administration monitors railroad compliance with federally mandated safety standards including track maintenance, inspection standards, and operating practices to enable the safe, reliable, and efficient movement of people and goods for a stronger America.
FRA supports programs that promote safe and environmentally sound rail transportation, including research and development testing to evaluate projects in support of its safety mission and to enhance the railroad system as a national transportation resource.
From its safety inspectors to its public education campaign staff advising of the danger of highway-rail grade crossings and rail trespassing, the operating administration adheres to its principles of integrity, safety, engagement, innovation, transparency, accountability, and excellence.
FRA Grant Applicant Resources
FRA encourages prospective applicants of competitive grant programs to utilize the resources on its website. The FRA Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) page provides:
- Information and direct links to existing and future grant programs
- Access to webinars related to FRA’s programs
- Information on other elements of grant funding (e.g., NEPA)
- FRA’s new competitive grant program tool, which provides stakeholders with a consolidated listing of FRA competitive grant programs and their respective eligibilities, by both project sponsor and activity type
FRA also provides additional non-grant funding opportunities to support planning activities, such as the Corridor Identification and Development Program; see Competitive Grant Programs for more details.
Lastly, prospective applicants can also find a link to subscribe to FRA’s mailing list to learn about future notice of funding opportunities (NOFOs) and webinars as they become available.
Competitive Grant Programs
Below are brief descriptions of FRA grant programs.
For more information on these opportunities, follow the links in each description, which lead to individual grant program pages in the Grant Applicant Toolkit’s DOT Competitive Grants Dashboard, where you can search federal grant opportunities at USDOT and other federal agencies that can aid communities in meeting their transportation infrastructure needs.
Consolidated Rail Infrastructure & Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant Program
The Consolidated Rail Infrastructure & Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant Program funds projects that improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of intercity passenger rail, freight rail, and rail infrastructure.
Learn more about this grant opportunity on the DOT Competitive Grants Dashboard’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure & Safety Improvements Program page.
Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program
The Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program supports capital projects that reduce the state of good repair backlog, improve performance, and begin or maintain public- or privately-operated intercity passenger rail service.
Learn more about this grant opportunity on the DOT Competitive Grants Dashboard’s Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program page.
Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program
The Railroad Crossing Elimination (RCE) Grant Program funds safety-focused highway-rail or pathway-rail grade improvement, relocation, and installation projects.
Learn more about this grant opportunity on the DOT Competitive Grants Dashboard’s Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program page.
Restoration and Enhancement Grant Program
The Restoration and Enhancement Grant Program supports projects and programs that begin, maintain, improve, or restore intercity passenger rail services.
Learn more about this grant opportunity on the DOT Competitive Grants Dashboard’s Restoration and Enhancement Grant Program page.