Opportunity Information: Apply for NIPA 25 26 MEGA
The Mega Grants opportunity, formally the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) program, is a U.S. Department of Transportation discretionary funding program aimed at supporting very large or unusually complex transportation projects that are difficult to fund through traditional formula or smaller discretionary programs. For this round, DOT is rolling Mega together with other major discretionary programs into a single Multimodal Projects Discretionary Grant (MPDG) Notice of Funding Opportunity to make applying easier for state and local sponsors and to build a stronger pipeline of construction-ready, high-impact projects enabled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Funding for Mega under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law totals $5 billion over five years. DOT indicates that about $1.7 billion remains available and will be distributed through this NOFO across two fiscal years of funding. The program is structured around project size: in each fiscal year, half of the available funds are set aside for projects with total costs greater than $500 million, and the other half is reserved for projects with costs greater than $100 million but less than $500 million. Awards can be very large, with an award ceiling listed at $1,000,000,000, reflecting the program focus on nationally or regionally significant investments.
Projects are judged competitively and must clear both merit and compliance screens. DOT will evaluate applications based on six outcome criteria, plus an economic analysis, project readiness, and statutory requirements. The six outcome areas are safety; state of good repair; economic impacts including freight movement and job creation; climate change, resilience, and environmental considerations; equity, multimodal options, and quality of life; and innovation, which includes technology, project delivery approaches, and financing strategies. In practical terms, applicants need to demonstrate not only that the project solves an important transportation problem, but also that it is well-justified economically, can be delivered on a realistic timeline, and meets all legal program requirements.
A notable feature of the combined MPDG approach is the streamlined application process for applicants seeking consideration under multiple programs. If an applicant wants the same project to be considered across more than one grant program covered by the combined NOFO, they generally submit once through a single Grants.gov opportunity number. DOT will then consider the application for all applicable programs unless the applicant opts out of a program or is ineligible for it, which reduces duplicative paperwork and inconsistent submissions.
Eligibility is broad across public-sector transportation stakeholders. Eligible applicants include states (or groups of states), metropolitan planning organizations, local governments, political subdivisions of a state, special purpose districts and public authorities with transportation functions (including port authorities), Tribal governments or Tribal consortia, partnerships between Amtrak and one or more eligible public entities, and groups or coalitions of any of these entities. For Mega specifically, U.S. territories are also eligible, expanding access beyond the 50 states.
Eligible projects are focused on major multimodal freight, highway, bridge, rail, and transit investments with public benefit. DOT lists eligible project types as highway or bridge projects on the National Multimodal Freight Network, the National Highway Freight Network, or the National Highway System; freight intermodal projects (including public ports) or freight rail projects that provide public benefit; rail-highway grade separation or elimination projects; intercity passenger rail projects; and certain public transportation projects that are eligible under Chapter 53 of Title 49 when they are part of, or tied to, the eligible project types above. Overall, the program is designed to fund large-scale improvements that strengthen freight and passenger movement, reduce safety risks, improve asset conditions, and deliver broader economic and community benefits.
Key administrative details from the posting include: Funding Opportunity Title "Mega Grants," Funding Opportunity Number "NIPA 25 26 MEGA," agency listed as 69A345 (Office of the Under Secretary for Policy), assistance listing CFDA/ALN 20.937, and an original closing date of 2024-05-06.Apply for NIPA 25 26 MEGA
- The 69A345 Office of the Under Secretary for Policy in the iij sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mega Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.937.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-03-25.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-05-06. (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 $1,000,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Mega Grants (National Infrastructure Project Assistance - Mega)
What is the Mega Grants opportunity?
The Mega Grants opportunity is the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (Mega) program, a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) discretionary funding program. It is intended to support very large or unusually complex transportation projects that are difficult to fund through traditional formula programs or smaller discretionary programs.
How is Mega being offered in this round?
For this round, DOT is rolling Mega together with other major discretionary programs into a single Multimodal Projects Discretionary Grant (MPDG) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The stated goal is to make applying easier for state and local sponsors and to build a stronger pipeline of construction-ready, high-impact projects enabled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
How much funding is available for Mega under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law?
Funding for Mega under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law totals $5 billion over five years.
How much Mega funding remains available for this NOFO?
DOT indicates that about $1.7 billion remains available and will be distributed through this NOFO across two fiscal years of funding.
How is the available funding split by project size?
In each fiscal year, half of the available funds are set aside for projects with total costs greater than $500 million. The other half is reserved for projects with costs greater than $100 million but less than $500 million.
What project cost range is targeted by Mega?
The program is structured around large project size. Funds are reserved for projects with total costs greater than $100 million, with a dedicated set-aside for projects exceeding $500 million.
What is the maximum award amount?
The posting lists an award ceiling of $1,000,000,000, reflecting the program focus on nationally or regionally significant investments.
Are Mega awards competitive?
Yes. Projects are judged competitively and must clear both merit and compliance screens.
What does DOT evaluate when scoring applications?
DOT will evaluate applications based on six outcome criteria, plus an economic analysis, project readiness, and statutory requirements.
What are the six outcome criteria?
The six outcome areas are: (1) safety; (2) state of good repair; (3) economic impacts including freight movement and job creation; (4) climate change, resilience, and environmental considerations; (5) equity, multimodal options, and quality of life; and (6) innovation, which includes technology, project delivery approaches, and financing strategies.
What does DOT mean by "innovation" in the evaluation?
Innovation includes technology, project delivery approaches, and financing strategies.
What is meant by the "economic analysis" requirement?
In addition to the six outcome criteria, DOT evaluates an economic analysis as part of the application review. Applicants should be prepared to show that the project is economically well-justified, based on the information provided in the posting.
What is meant by "project readiness" in this program?
DOT evaluates project readiness in addition to outcome criteria and economic analysis. In practical terms, the posting indicates applicants need to show the project can be delivered on a realistic timeline and contributes to a pipeline of construction-ready, high-impact projects.
What are the "statutory requirements" and "compliance screens" referenced?
The posting states that applications must clear compliance screens and meet statutory requirements, in addition to performing well on merit-based criteria. The specific statutory requirements are not listed in the provided summary, but applicants should expect legal/program eligibility and requirement checks.
Can one application be considered for multiple programs under the combined NOFO?
Yes. A notable feature of the combined MPDG approach is a streamlined process for applicants seeking consideration under multiple programs covered by the combined NOFO.
How does the streamlined multi-program application work?
If an applicant wants the same project to be considered across more than one grant program covered by the combined NOFO, they generally submit once through a single Grants.gov opportunity number. DOT will then consider the application for all applicable programs unless the applicant opts out of a program or is ineligible for it.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include: states (or groups of states); metropolitan planning organizations; local governments; political subdivisions of a state; special purpose districts and public authorities with transportation functions (including port authorities); Tribal governments or Tribal consortia; partnerships between Amtrak and one or more eligible public entities; and groups or coalitions of any of these entities.
Are U.S. territories eligible?
Yes. For Mega specifically, U.S. territories are also eligible, expanding access beyond the 50 states.
Are Tribal governments eligible?
Yes. Tribal governments or Tribal consortia are listed as eligible applicants.
Can Amtrak be an applicant?
Yes. Eligible applicants include partnerships between Amtrak and one or more eligible public entities.
Can multiple entities apply together?
Yes. Groups or coalitions of eligible entities are listed as eligible applicants.
What types of projects are eligible for Mega funding?
Eligible projects focus on major multimodal freight, highway, bridge, rail, and transit investments with public benefit.
What highway or bridge projects are eligible?
Highway or bridge projects are eligible when they are on the National Multimodal Freight Network, the National Highway Freight Network, or the National Highway System.
Are freight intermodal projects eligible, including port projects?
Yes. Freight intermodal projects (including public ports) are eligible when they provide public benefit.
Are freight rail projects eligible?
Yes. Freight rail projects that provide public benefit are listed as eligible project types.
Are rail-highway grade separation or elimination projects eligible?
Yes. Rail-highway grade separation or elimination projects are listed as eligible project types.
Are intercity passenger rail projects eligible?
Yes. Intercity passenger rail projects are listed as eligible project types.
Are public transportation (transit) projects eligible?
Certain public transportation projects are eligible when they are eligible under Chapter 53 of Title 49 and when they are part of, or tied to, the eligible project types described in the posting.
What is the overall purpose of the program in terms of benefits?
The program is designed to fund large-scale improvements that strengthen freight and passenger movement, reduce safety risks, improve asset conditions (state of good repair), and deliver broader economic and community benefits.
What is the funding opportunity title?
The funding opportunity title is "Mega Grants."
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is "NIPA 25 26 MEGA."
Which agency is listed for this opportunity?
The agency listed is 69A345 (Office of the Under Secretary for Policy) within the U.S. Department of Transportation.
What is the assistance listing (CFDA/ALN) number?
The assistance listing CFDA/ALN number is 20.937.
What was the original closing date listed in the posting?
The original closing date listed is 2024-05-06.
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