Funding Database: Rebuilding American Infrastructure

Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity

The US Department of Transportation (US DOT) offers the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grants Program to support investments in road, rail, transit and port projects. The FY23 Notice of Funding Opportunity requested surface transportation infrastructure projects that improve safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life and more. The program expanded under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to provide additional funding opportunities to rural areas. The program now promotes the creation of clean-energy economies to address climate change and make communities more resilient. The RAISE grants program is designed to help US DOT meet the goals and objectives from its fiscal years 2022-2026 Strategic Plan.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include state and local governments and federally recognized tribes. Tribal groups and other multi-state groups may also apply. US DOT will also accept applicants from transit agencies and other special purpose districts or authorities with a transportation focus.

Eligible Projects

The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) will outline the specific project eligibility requirements. The FY2023 NOFO listed the following eligible project types: 

• Highway, bridge or other road projects
• Public transportation projects
• Passenger and freight rail transportation projects
• Port infrastructure investments (including inland port infrastructure and land ports of entry)
• Surface transportation components of an airport project
• Intermodal projects
• Projects to replace or rehabilitate a culvert or prevent stormwater runoff for the purpose of improving habitat for aquatic species while advancing the goals of the RAISE program
• Projects investing in surface transportation facilities located on tribal land and for which title or maintenance responsibility is vested in the federal government
• Any other surface transportation infrastructure project that the US DOT Secretary considers to be necessary to advance the goals of the program. 

Applicants may propose planning, preparation or design phases of the above eligible projects. Construction of a project is not necessary for eligibility.

Funding Amount

RAISE planning grants have no minimum award amount and are allocated as needed. RAISE capital grants range from $1-25 million for rural areas and $5-25 million for urban areas.

Match Requirements

Federal funds may cover up to 80% of a project’s cost. A lower match requirement may be provided for rural communities, historically disadvantaged communities and areas of persistent poverty.

Application Schedule

Upcoming application deadlines are Jan 13, 2025, and Jan. 13, 2026.

Application Process

Submit your application on Grants.gov. You must complete the Grants.gov registration process before submitting the final application. Please note that the registration process can take two to four weeks.

Application Assistance

See the Additional Guidance page for helpful information on putting together an application. The page contains webinars and FAQs. The How to Apply page contains forms, a checklist and instructions to assist with the application process. 

Note that each application should provide a benefit-cost analysis (BCA) for the proposed project. Applicants should consult the “Benefit-Cost Analysis Guidance for Discretionary Grant Programs” when preparing a BCA for a RAISE Grant application. The Past Webinars and Slide Presentations page also has information on completing a BCA.

Funding Source

The US DOT provides this funding through congressional appropriations from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.