INFRA Grants | NSFHP 20 INFRA20

Opportunity Information: Apply for NSFHP 20 INFRA20

The INFRA Grants opportunity (Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects) is a discretionary federal grant program designed to fund major highway and freight transportation projects that have national or regional importance. For FY 2020, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced a competitive funding round to award federal financial assistance to projects that improve the movement of goods, strengthen key transportation corridors, and address high-impact infrastructure needs. Awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds, meaning funding depends on what Congress has made available for that fiscal year.

This funding round is structured around four core goals that applicants are expected to reflect in their project purpose, benefits, and delivery plan. First, projects should support economic vitality at the national and regional level, such as by improving freight efficiency, reducing congestion that affects commerce, or enhancing access to major markets and job centers. Second, the Department emphasizes leveraging federal dollars to bring in non-federal investment, so applications are strengthened when they show meaningful state, local, tribal, or private contributions and a realistic financing plan that stretches federal funding further. Third, the program encourages innovation, including the use of advanced technology, creative project delivery methods, and modern financing approaches, with the intent of improving performance, speeding delivery, or reducing lifecycle costs. Fourth, there is a strong accountability focus, meaning applicants should be prepared to define measurable outcomes, track performance, and demonstrate that the project will be managed effectively and deliver the promised benefits.

Eligibility is broad but clearly defined, and it centers on public entities with transportation responsibilities. Eligible applicants include a state or group of states; a metropolitan planning organization serving an urbanized area of more than 200,000 people; units of local government (or groups of local governments); political subdivisions of states or local governments; special purpose districts or public authorities with a transportation function (including port authorities); and tribal governments or consortia of tribal governments. Federal land management agencies may also apply, but only if they apply jointly with a state or group of states. Multi-state or multi-jurisdictional groups of public entities are also eligible, which is especially relevant for corridor projects that cross boundaries and require coordinated governance.

The opportunity allows joint applications, but it sets practical requirements to keep multi-party submissions organized and accountable. When multiple states or jurisdictions apply together, they must designate a lead applicant to serve as the primary point of contact. Every participating organization in a joint application must independently meet the definition of an eligible applicant. The application must clearly describe each partner's role and responsibilities, and it must be signed by each participating applicant, reinforcing shared commitment and clarifying who is responsible for which portions of the project and its implementation.

Key administrative details from the listing include the funding opportunity title "INFRA Grants" and number "NSFHP 20 INFRA20." It is categorized as a discretionary grant under the Transportation activity area and is associated with CFDA number 20.934. The issuing office is within the U.S. Department of Transportation (Agency code 69A345, Office of the Under Secretary for Policy). The original application closing date for this FY 2020 notice was February 25, 2020. The published award ceiling is $815,400,000, indicating the maximum total amount available under the notice, while the specific number of expected awards is not provided in the source data.

• The 69A345 Office of the Under Secretary for Policy in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "INFRA Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.934.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2020-01-13.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-02-25. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $815,400,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for NSFHP 20 INFRA20

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