Mega Grants | NIPA 25 26 MEGA

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.

• 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.

Apply for NIPA 25 26 MEGA

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: