The U.S. Committee on the Marine Transportation System (CMTS) publishes a Federal Funding Handbook for Marine Transportation System Infrastructure each year. The latest edition can be found here: https://www.irpt.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Federal-Funding-Handbook-for-Marine-Transportation-System-Infrastructure-4th-Edition.pdf

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Transportation offers an applicant toolkit for the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success (ROUTES) Initiative at the U.S. Department of Transportation. It is the latest effort by the Department and the Trump Administration to improve rural access to federal grant funds. The Toolkit provides user-friendly information and resources to enhance rural applicants’ familiarity with the Department’s discretionary grant programs and the funding process.

https://www.transportation.gov/rural/routes/usdot-discretionary-grant-funding-matrix-0

The U.S. Department of Transportation offers federal funding assistance for infrastructure projects that may benefit ports. Some of the highlighted grants and timeframes to watch for are:

Port Infrastructure Development Program Discretionary Grants (PIDP):

• $450 million is available for each of the next 5 years for port improvements through PIDP. $112.5 million each year for the next 5 years is set aside for small projects.

This is a new funding program as of 2019, notice of funding was announced March 4^th. Applications are due by May 16^th. PIDP makes grants to improve facilities within, connecting to, out of, or around coastal seaports, inland river ports and Great Lakes ports for projects that will improve the safety, efficiency or reliability of the movement of goods into, out of, around or within a port.

The bill establishes a competitive grant matching program for landside infrastructure projects at smaller ports and terminals. In a historic passage, it allows privately-owned terminals that are important contributors of the maritime commerce system eligibility.

IRPT BILL - For FY 2022, $112.5 million is set aside for smaller inland and coastal ports and terminals. Private terminals are eligible but need a public sponsor, such as state departments of transportation, agriculture, etc. These funds can be used for making capital improvements, including to piers, wharves, docks, terminals, and similar structures used principally for the movement of goods, acquiring, improving, repairing, or maintaining transportation or physical infrastructure, buildings, or equipment.

America’s Marine Highway Projects:

• $25 million is available through the America’s Marine Highways Program;

Notice of funding opportunity was announced March 2^nd and applications are due by April 29^th. The purpose of this program is to make grants available to previously designated Marine Highway Projects that support the development and expansion of documented vessels, or port and landside infrastructure. The open ‘Call for Projects’ has expired on January 31, 2022.

Please note, you must have an approved project to apply for funding.

AMH Home: https://www.maritime.dot.gov/grants/marine-highways/marine-highway

Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE), formerly BUILD, formerly TIGER:

• $1.5 billion is available for the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE);

Notice of Funding Opportunity was issued on February 2 and applications are due April 14, 2022. Typically announced in February. RAISE grants are for planning and capital investments in surface transportation infrastructure and are to be awarded on a competitive basis for projects that will have a significant local or regional impact. RAISE funding can support roads, bridges, transit, rail, ports or intermodal transportation.

The Department seeks to fund projects under the RAISE Program that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and are designed with specific elements to address climate change impacts. Specifically, the Department is looking to award projects that align with the President’s greenhouse gas reduction goals, promote energy efficiency, support fiscally responsible land use and transportation efficient design, increase use of lower-carbon travel modes such as transit and active transportation, incorporate electrification or zero emission vehicle infrastructure, increase climate resilience, support domestic manufacturing, incorporate lower-carbon pavement and construction materials, reduce pollution, and recycle or redevelop brownfield sites.

Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI):

• $5 billion over the next 5 years is available for rail projects in the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program;

Notices of funding through CRISI are typically announced between February and April of each year. A late October announcement came out in 2021. This program leverages private, state and local investments to support safety enhancements and general improvements to infrastructure for both intercity passenger and freight railroads.

CRISI Home: https://railroads.dot.gov/grants-loans/competitive-discretionary-grant-programs/consolidated-rail-infrastructure-and-safety-2

Port Security Grants:

The FY 2021 Port Security Grant Program (PSGP) is one of four grant programs that constitute the DHS/Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) focus on transportation infrastructure security activities. These grant programs are part of a comprehensive set of measures authorized by Congress and implemented by DHS to help strengthen the Nation’s critical infrastructure against potential terrorist attacks. The PSGP provides funds to state, territory, local, and private sector partners to support increased port-wide risk management and protect critical surface transportation infrastructure from acts of terrorism.

Eligible applicants include, but are not limited to, port authorities, facility operators, and state and local government agencies. A facility operator owns, leases or operates any structure or facility of any kind located in, on, under or adjacent to any waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States. Examples of facility operators include, but are not limited to, terminal operators, ferry systems, bar/harbor pilots and merchant’s exchanges.

2021 Notice of funding: https://www.irpt.net/fiscal-year-2021-port-security-grant-program-psgp/

Infrastructure for Rebuilding America program (INFRA):

The Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) program is an existing competitive program that will see a more than 50 percent increase in this year’s funding due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. These grants advance the Administration’s priorities of rebuilding America’s infrastructure and creating jobs by funding highway, multimodal freight and rail projects that position America to win the 21st century. Projects will improve safety, generate economic benefits, reduce congestion, enhance resiliency, and hold the greatest promise to eliminate supply chain bottlenecks and improve critical freight movements. Last year, DOT received over $10 billion of project applications, but could only fund around $1 billion of projects. To see last year’s INFRA grants, click here. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides approximately $8 billion for INFRA over 5 years, of which approximately $1.55 billion will be made available through this NOFO.

Notice of funding opportunity is typically January. The INFRA program provides Federal financial assistance to highway and freight projects of national or regional significance. INFRA program allows both large ($25 million) and small projects ($5 million). Ninety percent (90%) of total funding allocation will be reserved for large projects and ten percent (10%) will be reserved for small projects. Further, The FAST Act directs that at least 25 percent of the funds provided for INFRA grants must be used for projects located in rural areas.

The deadline for applications is 11:59 pm EDT on May 23, 2022, Applicants may find the NOFO, Frequently Asked Questions, and other helpful resources here.

Regional Infrastructure Accelerators (RIA) Demonstration Program.

The Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, enacted in December 2015, authorized the establishment of a Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Demonstration Program (the Program) to assist entities in developing improved infrastructure priorities and financing strategies for the accelerated development of a project that is eligible for funding under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Program. The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020, enacted on December 20, 2019, appropriated $5 million for this Program.

2021 Notice: https://www.irpt.net/regional-infrastructure-accelerators-ria-demonstration-program/

Truck Emissions Reduction Study and Grant at Port Facilities

(new) $50 million for each year 2022-2026 will be made available through a new program (to be created) to establish and carry out a program to reduce truck idling at port facilities, including grants to fund projects that reduce truck emissions at ports;

Under this program, the Secretary must study how ports and intermodal port transfer facilities would benefit from emissions reductions opportunities, including port operations electrification, and study emerging technologies and strategies to reduce idling truck emissions.

DOT must then coordinate and provide grant funding to test, evaluate, and deploy projects to reduce idling truck emissions, including port electrification and efficiency improvements particularly from heavy-duty vehicles. Grant funding will be available for up to 80% of eligible project cost. Awards will be treated as Federal-aid Highway Program projects. Additional funding eligibility and considerations will apply.

DOT must submit a report detailing the status and effectiveness of the program, recommendations for workforce development and training opportunities with respect to port electrification, and policy recommendations, no later than one year after all funded projects are complete.

Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program

(new) $250 million for each 2022 and 2023, and $300 million for each 2024, 2025, and 2026 are available through a new program that IIJA directs the Secretary of Transportation to establish is the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program, formerly, the FAST Act. Eligible entities include public port authorities.

Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established the DERA Program to reduce pollution emitted from diesel engines through the implementation of varied control strategies and the involvement of national, state, and local partners. DERA includes programs for existing diesel fleets, regulations for clean diesel engines and fuels, and regional collaborations and partnerships.

SmartWay Transport Partnership

The SmartWay Transport Partnership is a market-based public-private collaboration between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the domestic freight industry. This partnership is designed to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution by accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies and operational practices which increase fuel efficiency and reduce emissions from goods movement. The SmartWay Transport Partnership is working with partners to test and verify advanced technologies and operational practices that save fuel and reduce emissions. Grants are available to states, non-profits, and academic institutions to demonstrate innovative idle reduction technologies for the trucking industry. For more information, see the SmartWay Transport Partnership website.

The Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program (RURAL)

The Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program (RURAL) was created in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will support projects to improve and expand the surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas to increase connectivity, improve the safety and reliability of the movement of people and freight, and generate regional economic growth and improve quality of life.  Eligible projects for Rural grants include highway, bridge, and tunnel projects that help improve freight, safety, and provide or increase access to an agricultural, commercial, energy, or transportation facilities that support the economy of a rural area. This year alone, DOT will award up to $300 million in grants through the rural program—part of the $2 billion included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law over five years.

The deadline for applications is 11:59 pm EDT on May 23, 2022, Applicants may find the NOFO, Frequently Asked Questions, and other helpful resources here.

The National Infrastructure Project Assistance (MEGA) program

The National Infrastructure Project Assistance (MEGA) program was created in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to fund major projects that are too large or complex for traditional funding programs. The program will provide grants on a competitive basis to support multijurisdictional or regional projects of significance that may also cut across multiple modes of transportation. Eligible projects could include highway, bridge, freight, port, passenger rail, and public transportation projects of national and regional significance.  These could be bridges or tunnels connecting two states; new rail and transit lines that improve equity and reduce emissions; and freight hubs integrating ship, train and truck traffic while improving environmental justice. DOT will award 50 percent of funding to projects greater than $500 million in cost, and 50 percent to projects greater than $100 million but less than $500 million in cost. The program will receive up to $1 billion this year alone and be able to provide multi-year funding to projects.

The deadline for applications is 11:59 pm EDT on May 23, 2022, Applicants may find the NOFO, Frequently Asked Questions, and other helpful resources here.

Inland Rivers, Ports and Terminals monitors these funding opportunities through the different federal agencies, federal register and grants.gov. We will alert you through email when funding is available and post it on our website: https://www.irpt.net/funding-opportunities/ .

We encourage you to give thought to your strategic master plan and identify infrastructure projects that may fall within the above categories so when they become available, you are ready to submit your application.

If you wish to monitor the opportunities yourself, you can register to receive alerts by visiting: www.federalregister.gov or www.grants.gov