FY 2026 National Infrastructure Investments

The Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of the Secretary, is a competitive federal funding opportunity designed to support surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact. Originating under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and later known as RAISE and TIGER, the BUILD program aims to catalyze economic recovery, enhance safety and mobility, and foster sustainable and equitable growth. The FY 2026 funding round allocates at least $1.5 billion under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), continuing a legacy of investment in transformative transportation infrastructure across urban, rural, and tribal areas. As of mid-2025, over $18 billion has been awarded through 18 competitive rounds. The FY 2026 round prioritizes projects that demonstrate measurable improvements across key merit criteria including safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, mobility and community connectivity, economic competitiveness and opportunity, state of good repair, partnership and collaboration, and innovation. Eligible capital projects include highways, bridges, public transportation systems, freight and passenger rail, port infrastructure, airport-related surface transportation, culvert rehabilitation, and intermodal projects. Planning grants support pre-construction activities such as feasibility studies, benefit-cost analysis, permitting, corridor planning, and economic development integration. Projects on Tribal lands and those enhancing resilience or benefiting aquatic species may also qualify. Applicants must be one of several eligible public entities such as state or local governments, transit agencies, port authorities, tribal governments, or multijurisdictional groups. Federal agencies, nonprofits, private entities, and individuals are not eligible to apply directly. For capital projects, the minimum funding request is $1 million for rural areas and $5 million for urban areas; there is no minimum for planning grants. The maximum award across all applications is capped at $25 million. Projects located in rural areas, Areas of Persistent Poverty (APP), or Historically Disadvantaged Communities (HDC) may receive up to 100% federal funding, while others must provide at least a 20% non-federal match. Non-federal contributions must be documented and will be legally required if awarded. Applications must be submitted electronically via Valid Eval no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Time on February 24, 2026. There is no rolling deadline, and applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. Each applicant may submit up to three applications, with unrelated project components not to be combined into a single application. A complete submission includes multiple files such as the SF-424 form, project narrative, budget, project readiness documentation, and merit criteria narratives. Specific formatting and page limits apply, and supporting documents like maps, renderings, and letters of support may be included. DOT will not offer individual feedback prior to submission, but application questions may be directed to [email protected]. Applications are evaluated in a two-tiered process. First, all eligible applications undergo a merit review based on the eight statutory criteria. Projects rated “Highly Recommended” automatically advance to the second-tier review, which evaluates project readiness, applicant capacity, financial completeness, and, for capital projects, a benefit-cost analysis. The Senior Review Team may also promote “Recommended” projects that show exceptional merit in priority areas. Final selection is made by the Secretary of Transportation, who considers statutory requirements such as geographic and modal diversity, rural/urban balance, and minimum thresholds for planning and disadvantaged community funding. Projects designated as “Highly Rated” but not selected will be carried over for consideration in the FY 2027 round. Grant recipients must obligate funds by September 30, 2030, and expend them by September 30, 2035. Funds are provided on a reimbursement basis unless alternative payment arrangements are approved. Performance reporting is required for multiple years post-completion, and grantees may also be asked to participate in broader program evaluations. The Department emphasizes compliance with federal regulations including Buy America, ADA, NEPA, and civil rights laws. The BUILD program continues to serve as a strategic tool for strengthening U.S. transportation infrastructure, enhancing community resilience, and expanding economic opportunity through targeted, impactful investments.

Use data-driven justifications aligned with merit criteria; avoid combining unrelated project elements; adhere to formatting and file naming rules.