USDOT announces new Rural and Tribal Assistance pilot program

On June 15, the U.S. Department of Transportation released a Notice of Funding Opportunity for a new Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program, which provides technical assistance grants to rural and tribal communities for infrastructure projects.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis starting at 2 p.m. on Aug. 14. No local funding match is required to participate in this program.

The USDOT will award $3.4 million through individual grants ranging up to $360,000.

Grants may be used to hire staff or advisors to assist with early development-phase activities including, but not limited to, feasibility studies; preliminary engineering and design; environmental review; revenue forecasting; financial feasibility analysis; statutory and regulatory analysis; and drafting and negotiation of agreements.

Eligible applicants include local governments or political subdivisions with projects located outside of an urbanized area with a population of more than 150,000 residents as determined by the Census; state governments applying on behalf of a project in an area outside an urbanized area of more than 150,000 residents; federally recognized Indian Tribes; and the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Urbanized area listings should be drawn from the 2020 U.S. Census results.

Applications must be submitted online.

The Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program joins the Thriving Communities Program, the Regional Infrastructure Accelerators and other new technical assistance opportunities.

Additional USDOT technical assistance resources can be found on the USDOT Navigator.