USDOT Mode and Resource Description: Office of the Secretary of Transportation
USDOT's mission is to ensure our Nation has the safest, most efficient and modern transportation system in the world, which improves the quality of life for all American people and communities, from rural to urban, and increases the productivity and competitiveness of American workers and businesses. USDOT's priorities are to keep the traveling public safe and secure, increase their mobility, and have our transportation system contribute to the Nation's economic growth.
Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Discretionary Grants
RAISE grants are for investments in surface transportation infrastructure and will be awarded on a competitive basis to projects that will have a significant local or regional impact. RAISE funding can support roads, bridges, transit, rail, ports, or intermodal transportation.
This program typically funds planning and capital projects. According to the NOFO in FY21, award sizes ranged from $5 million to $25 million, with a 20% match requirement for projects located in urban areas. The FY21 NOFO stated that up to 50% of funds could be dedicated to projects located in rural areas. There was a $1 million award minimum for rural projects in FY21 NOFO to promote geographic diversity among recipients and balance between rural and urban communities. More information is available on the RAISE grants program website.
Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) Grants
The INFRA grant program provides dedicated, discretionary funding for projects that address critical issues facing our Nation’s freight transportation and highway networks. INFRA grants will support the Administration’s commitment to fixing our Nation’s crumbling infrastructure by creating opportunities for all levels of government and the private sector to fund infrastructure, using innovative approaches to improve the necessary processes for building significant projects, and increasing accountability for the projects that are built.
As stated in the FY19 NOFO, projects eligible for INFRA grants are highway freight projects carried out on the National Highway Freight Network, highway or bridge projects carried out on the National Highway Systems, railway-highway grade crossing or grade separation projects, and intermodal freight projects. Per the FY19 NOFO, the minimum possible award amount for that year was $5 million for small projects and $25 million for large projects. The FY19 NOFO also highlighted that 10% of total available funds were reserved for small projects and 25% of total available funds were set aside for rural projects. According to the FY19 NOFO, USDOT considers the level at which funds are available and any other fiscal constraints to promote geographic diversity and balance the needs of rural and urban areas. More information is available on the INFRA grants program website.
Additional OST Resources
For more support with OST grant programs, refer to the following resources and links.
USDOT Strategic Plan | USDOT aims to achieve its mission through four strategic goals: Safety, Infrastructure, Innovation, and Accountability.
Build America Bureau | Information about Build America Bureau in the Office of the Secretary of Transportation.