The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation, is offering a discretionary cooperative agreement opportunity under the National Railroad Passenger Corporation Grants Assistance Listing (20.315). The sole eligible recipient of this opportunity is Amtrak, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation. This grant aligns with appropriations mandated by the FY2026 Continuing Appropriations, Agriculture, Legislative Branch, and Extensions Act, Public Law 119-37.
The purpose of this funding is to support Amtrak’s capital and debt service requirements for activities across the Northeast Corridor (NEC) and the National Network. The agreement provides for a significant investment of $379,562,566, available for expenditure until January 31, 2029. The funding is intended to support the operating and capital costs for Amtrak’s services, including NEC operations and infrastructure, as well as state-supported and long-distance routes.
Funding must be used to support the continuation, improvement, and modernization of Amtrak’s services and physical assets. The funds may be applied toward infrastructure upgrades, equipment procurement, service enhancements, and debt obligations. There are no matching or cost-sharing requirements associated with this opportunity.
To access the funds, Amtrak must submit a complete application package electronically. Required components include the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance, a Statement of Work, cost comparisons with prior fiscal years, project descriptions and timelines, a report on safety culture improvements, SF-424B and SF-424D assurances, and signed FRA Assurances and Certifications. These forms must be submitted before the application deadline of January 8, 2026.
No additional evaluation criteria are detailed, likely due to Amtrak being the only eligible applicant. The opportunity was posted on December 11, 2025, and remains active. It is not a recurring or competitive funding cycle and does not imply future iterations. For technical support, applicants can contact the GrantSolutions Help Desk via phone at 1.866.577.0771 or 202.401.5282 during weekday business hours.
Submit all required forms accurately; ensure financial comparisons and safety updates are clearly presented.
