Port Infrastructure Development Program

The Port Infrastructure Development Program for Fiscal Year 2025 is administered by the Maritime Administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation. This program, codified at 46 U.S.C. 54301, was established to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of goods through ports and intermodal connections. The program is supported by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which appropriated $450 million, supplemented by $50 million from the FY 2025 Appropriations Act, for a total of $500 million available for discretionary grant awards. Additional unobligated prior-year funds may also be distributed under this program. The program has evolved over time to address modern transportation challenges, with recent amendments introducing cybersecurity requirements for digital infrastructure and clarifying merit evaluation criteria. The purpose of the program is to provide grants for capital and planning projects that support U.S. port infrastructure and strengthen supply chain efficiency. Eligible projects include the acquisition and installation of cargo handling equipment, highway and rail connections to ports, operational and resilience improvements, environmental mitigation and emissions reduction projects, electrification efforts, seafood infrastructure, and planning activities such as feasibility analysis, revenue forecasting, and environmental review. Certain exclusions apply: federal facilities, small shipyards, vessel construction or reconstruction, and fully automated cargo handling equipment that would reduce jobs are not eligible. Projects must demonstrate independent utility and readiness for timely completion. Eligible applicants include states, political subdivisions, local governments, public agencies or publicly chartered authorities, special purpose districts with a transportation function, Indian Tribes or consortia of Tribes, multistate or multijurisdictional groups, and eligible entities in partnership with private operators of port facilities. Federal agencies and individuals are excluded. Only one application per applicant is permitted, though joint applications are allowed with a designated lead entity. Applicants must demonstrate authority to plan, construct, operate, and maintain the proposed project and must meet non-federal cost share requirements. Federal funding may cover up to 80 percent of project costs, but a higher share may be approved for rural projects or small projects at small ports. All cost-sharing commitments must be documented with formal letters or resolutions. Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by September 10, 2025, no later than 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Late applications will not be considered. The required submission package includes a Standard Form 424, a PIDP-specific cover page, and a detailed Project Narrative not exceeding 30 pages. The Project Narrative must describe the project scope, location, budget, and anticipated benefits in relation to program merit criteria. It should also address statutory determinations, such as cost-effectiveness, applicant authority, sufficiency of matching funds, and the necessity of federal support. Incomplete applications or those missing required documentation will be deemed nonresponsive. Registration in the System for Award Management and a valid Unique Entity Identifier are also required for eligibility. Applications will be reviewed according to responsiveness and merit. Statutory merit criteria include improving safety, efficiency, and reliability; supporting economic vitality; leveraging non-federal funding; and improving port resilience. Additional considerations include workforce development and project readiness. MARAD will prioritize projects demonstrating strong benefit-cost ratios, resilience measures, and commitments to workforce training and job quality. A two-stage review process will first screen applications for eligibility and then evaluate them against selection criteria. Final selections will be made by the Secretary of Transportation, with priority consideration given to projects at strategic seaports that support national security. Awards will be publicly announced no later than December 31, 2025. Funding is subject to restrictions, including prohibitions on the use of Chinese logistics platforms such as LOGINK, and compliance with Buy America requirements. MARAD expects grant funds to be obligated by September 30, 2029, with expenditures completed within five years of obligation. Post-award requirements include compliance with civil rights, environmental laws, cybersecurity standards, and federal administrative rules. Recipients must submit quarterly progress and financial reports, as well as ongoing performance reporting to measure outcomes against program goals. Program evaluations may also be conducted by DOT or partner agencies. Applicants may direct questions to PIDPgrants@dot.gov or contact Aubrey Parsons at 202-366-8047. Additional resources, including answers to frequently asked questions and prior award information, are available on the Maritime Administration’s PIDP webpage. This program represents a major federal investment in modernizing U.S. port infrastructure and sustaining supply chain resilience for the national economy.