U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Availability of $1.5 Billion in RAISE Grants
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The U.S. Department of Transportation has published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $1.5 billion in grant funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program. The popular program helps communities around the country carry out projects with significant local or regional impact. Access the full press release here.
SUMMARY: The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58, November 15, 2021, “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” or “BIL”) that authorized and appropriated $1.5 billion to be awarded by the Department of Transportation (“DOT”) for FY 2022 for Local and Regional Project Assistance Program Grants under National Infrastructure Investments, also known as the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program. DOT is required to publish a RAISE Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) no later than 60 days after enactment, which is January 14, 2022. In order to comply with this requirement, the Department is publishing a RAISE NOFO on Grants.Gov for applications, and may include any additional funding appropriated for the RAISE Grants program under the FY 2022 Appropriations Act. If the FY 2022 Appropriations Act significantly alters requirements for the RAISE Grant program, the Department will amend this Notice with guidance on additional requirements. Funds for the FY 2022 RAISE grant program are to be awarded on a competitive basis for surface transportation infrastructure projects that will have a significant local or regional impact.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM Eastern on April 14, 2022.
ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: For further information concerning this notice, please contact the RAISE grant program staff via e-mail at RAISEgrants@dot.gov.
AWARD INFORMATION: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law of 2021 (“BIL”) authorized and appropriated $1.5 billion. BIL specifies that the minimum RAISE grant award is $5 million, except that for projects located in rural areas, the minimum award size is $1 million. Grants may not be greater than $25 million. The BIL also directs that not more than 50 percent of the funds provided for RAISE grants (or $750 million) shall be awarded to rural projects and directs that not more than 50 percent of the funds provided for RAISE grants (or $750 million) shall be awarded to urban projects. Further, DOT must consider geographical and modal diversity.
REMINDER: USDOT is welcoming applicants to request debriefs now through April at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/DR5RVVT. A webinar schedule for applicants will be available soon. The Department has also developed an online tool to help applicants determine whether their projects are located in historically disadvantaged communities and/or areas of persistent poverty.
