Roadside Pollinators Program (RPP) FYs 2023 and 2026

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), within the U.S. Department of Transportation, administers the Roadside Pollinators Program, established under Section 11528 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and codified at 23 U.S.C. 332. This program represents a federal effort to support ecological stewardship within transportation corridors by funding activities that enhance pollinator habitats along roadsides and highway rights-of-way. The initiative aligns with broader federal priorities to improve environmental outcomes, support biodiversity, and integrate sustainable land management practices into infrastructure systems. The primary purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance to eligible entities to implement, improve, or expand pollinator-friendly practices. These practices include planting native grasses and wildflowers, modifying mowing schedules to protect pollinator life cycles, and implementing vegetation management strategies that support habitat development. The program emphasizes locally appropriate, native plant species such as milkweed and encourages land management approaches that reduce disturbance during critical pollinator activity periods. Funding under this opportunity includes up to 1.8 million dollars from fiscal year 2023 and up to 2 million dollars from fiscal year 2026, subject to availability. Individual awards are capped at 150000 dollars, and the federal share is 100 percent, meaning no cost-sharing or matching is required. Funds must be obligated and expended within specified deadlines depending on the fiscal year allocation, with project performance periods anticipated to range from one to four years. Awards are structured as cost-reimbursable agreements, meaning recipients are reimbursed for eligible expenses incurred after the execution of a grant agreement. Eligibility is limited to State departments of transportation, Indian Tribes, and Federal Land Management Agencies. Applicants must already have a pollinator-friendly practices plan in place and must submit that plan as part of their application. Additional requirements include demonstrating coordination with relevant state agencies and consultation with affected or interested Indian Tribes. Applicants may submit multiple applications, but each must contain only one project and must be ranked in priority order. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov and include standard federal forms such as the SF-424, budget forms, lobbying disclosures, and a program-specific application template. Applicants must also provide maps of proposed project areas and detailed budget information. Registration in SAM.gov and Grants.gov is required prior to submission. The application deadline is May 7, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time, and late or incomplete applications will not be considered. FHWA evaluates applications based on three primary merit criteria: benefits to pollinator species and habitats, the number of pollinator-friendly practices implemented or planned, and contributions to public benefit through education or beautification. Applications are also assessed for project readiness, including feasibility, compliance with federal requirements, and likelihood of timely execution. Awards are expected to be announced in late June 2026. Selected recipients must comply with federal reporting requirements, including semi-annual progress and financial reports, and must adhere to all applicable federal regulations and policies throughout the project lifecycle.

Ensure strong demonstration of pollinator habitat benefits, include clear evidence of existing pollinator plan, and show project readiness with realistic timelines and risk mitigation strategies