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.Apply for NSFHP 20 INFRA20
- 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.
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INFRA Grants (NSFHP 20 INFRA20) - FAQs
What is the INFRA Grants opportunity?
INFRA Grants (Nationally Significant Freight and Highway Projects) is a discretionary federal grant program that funds major highway and freight transportation projects with national or regional importance.
What fiscal year does this funding round relate to?
The information provided describes a competitive funding round announced for FY 2020 by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
What kinds of projects is this program intended to fund?
The program is intended to support projects that improve the movement of goods, strengthen key transportation corridors, and address high-impact infrastructure needs, particularly in the highway and freight transportation space.
Is this a competitive grant or a formula program?
This is a competitive, discretionary grant program (not a formula allocation), meaning funding decisions are made through a competitive selection process.
Are awards guaranteed once a project is selected?
Awards are subject to the availability of appropriated funds. In practical terms, that means funding depends on what Congress has made available for that fiscal year.
What are the core goals applicants are expected to address?
The funding round is structured around four core goals that applicants are expected to reflect in the project purpose, benefits, and delivery plan: economic vitality, leveraging federal funding with non-federal investment, innovation, and accountability.
How does the program define the "economic vitality" goal?
Projects should support economic vitality at the national and regional level, such as improving freight efficiency, reducing congestion that affects commerce, or enhancing access to major markets and job centers.
What does it mean to "leverage" federal dollars in this program?
The Department emphasizes using federal funds in a way that attracts or incorporates meaningful non-federal investment. Applications are strengthened when they show state, local, tribal, or private contributions along with a realistic financing plan that stretches federal dollars further.
What types of innovation does INFRA encourage?
The program encourages innovation through advanced technology, creative project delivery methods, and modern financing approaches, with the intent of improving performance, speeding delivery, or reducing lifecycle costs.
What does accountability mean for applicants under this opportunity?
Accountability focuses on defining measurable outcomes, tracking performance, and demonstrating effective project management to ensure the project delivers the benefits promised in the application.
Who is eligible to apply for INFRA Grants under this notice?
Eligible applicants include: a state or group of states; a metropolitan planning organization (MPO) 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.
Can a metropolitan planning organization (MPO) apply?
Yes. An MPO is eligible if it serves an urbanized area with a population of more than 200,000 people.
Are tribal governments eligible applicants?
Yes. Tribal governments and consortia of tribal governments are explicitly listed as eligible applicants.
Are port authorities eligible?
Yes. Special purpose districts or public authorities with a transportation function are eligible, and the description specifically includes port authorities as an example.
Can federal land management agencies apply?
Yes, but only if they apply jointly with a state or group of states.
Can multi-state or multi-jurisdictional groups apply together?
Yes. Multi-state or multi-jurisdictional groups of public entities are eligible, which can be particularly relevant for corridor projects that cross boundaries and require coordinated governance.
Are joint applications allowed under this opportunity?
Yes. The opportunity allows joint applications, including those involving multiple states or jurisdictions, as long as the application meets the program's joint submission requirements.
What is required if multiple states or jurisdictions submit a joint application?
They must designate a lead applicant to serve as the primary point of contact for the application.
Do all partners in a joint application need to be independently eligible?
Yes. Every participating organization in a joint application must independently meet the definition of an eligible applicant.
What must the application include regarding partner roles in a joint application?
The application must clearly describe each partner's role and responsibilities, clarifying who is responsible for which portions of the project and its implementation.
Are signatures required from all participants in a joint application?
Yes. The application must be signed by each participating applicant, reinforcing shared commitment and accountability.
What is the official funding opportunity title and number?
The title is "INFRA Grants" and the funding opportunity number is "NSFHP 20 INFRA20."
Which federal agency issues this opportunity?
The issuing agency is the U.S. Department of Transportation, with the issuing office identified as Agency code 69A345, Office of the Under Secretary for Policy.
What is the activity area associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is categorized under the Transportation activity area.
What CFDA number is associated with this grant?
The CFDA number listed for this opportunity is 20.934.
What was the application closing date for the FY 2020 notice?
The original application closing date for this FY 2020 notice was February 25, 2020.
What is the maximum amount of funding available under this notice?
The published award ceiling is $815,400,000, which indicates the maximum total amount available under the notice.
How many awards were expected to be made?
The specific number of expected awards is not provided in the source information.
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