Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grants

RAISE discretionary grants help complete critical freight and passenger transportation infrastructure projects that have significant local or regional impact and improve safety and equity.

Half of funding will go to projects in rural areas and half will go to projects in urban areas. At least $15 million in funding is guaranteed to go towards projects located in Areas of Persistent Poverty or Historically Disadvantaged Communities, and projects located in these areas will be eligible for up to 100 percent federal cost share, as directed by Congress in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

The Department is encouraging applicants to consider how their projects can address climate change, ensure racial equity, and remove barriers to opportunity. The Department also intends to use the RAISE program to support wealth creation and the creation of good-paying jobs with the free and fair choice to join a union, the incorporation of strong labor standards, and training and placement programs, especially registered apprenticeships.

For 2023 application cycle: Projects designated “Reconnecting Extra” during the new FY 2022 Reconnecting Communities Program (RCP) competition and submitted for consideration under the FY 2023 RAISE NOFO will have a greater opportunity to be advanced during the evaluation process (further described in the NOFO).

Eligibility

Eligible applicants for RAISE grants are:

States and the District of Columbia;
any territory or possession of the United States;
a unit of local government;
a public agency or publicly chartered authority established by 1 or more States;
a special purpose district or public authority with a transportation function, including a port authority;
a federally recognized Indian Tribe or a consortium of such Indian Tribes; a transit agency;
and
a multi-State or multijurisdictional group of entities that are separately eligible.

Eligible projects for RAISE grants include but are not limited to:

(1) Capital projects including but not limited to:
a. Highway, bridge, or other road projects eligible under title 23, United States Code;
b. Public transportation projects eligible under chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code;
c. Passenger and freight rail transportation projects;
d. Port infrastructure investments (including inland port infrastructure and land ports of entry);
e. The surface transportation components of an airport project eligible for assistance under part B of subtitle VII;
f. Intermodal projects;
g. A project to replace or rehabilitate a culvert or prevent stormwater runoff for the purpose of improving habitat for aquatic species while advancing the goals of the RAISE program and
projects investing in surface transportation facilities that are located on Tribal land and for which title or maintenance responsibility is vested in the Federal Government; and
h. any other surface transportation infrastructure project that the Secretary considers to be necessary to advance the goals of the program).

(2) Planning projects which include:
a. planning of eligible surface transportation construction projects;
b. preparation of eligible surface transportation construction projects; or
c. design of eligible surface transportation construction projects.

APPLICATION SUBMISSION
Applicants may submit a total of three (3) project applications (planning and/or capital) for RAISE grants. If a lead applicant submits more than three applications as the lead applicant, only the first three received will be considered.

Final applications must be submitted through Grants.gov.

***DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 28, 2023 AT 11:59:59 PM EASTERN (10:59:59 PM CENTRAL)***

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