FY25 National Network Cooperative Agreement to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation, is responsible for ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient rail transportation. In accordance with the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 (Public Law 119-4), the FRA has released a funding opportunity through the FY25 National Network Cooperative Agreement to support operations of the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, more commonly known as Amtrak. This initiative directly supports the continued provision and enhancement of intercity passenger rail services in the United States. The purpose of this cooperative agreement is to make $698,379,388 in federal funds available to Amtrak. These funds are designated for three primary uses: operating expenses, capital projects, and debt service. The financial support is intended to ensure the ongoing functionality and improvement of Amtrak’s National Network, which includes both State-supported routes and long-distance train services. It also supports activities within the Northeast Corridor. All funds awarded under this agreement must be used by January 31, 2028, or until fully expended, whichever comes first. As per the requirements of the funding announcement (FR-AMT-25-008), Amtrak is the only eligible applicant for this opportunity. This exclusive eligibility is outlined explicitly in the grant’s eligibility section. The intent is to provide federal financial assistance directly to Amtrak in its role as the national passenger rail service provider, recognizing its statutory responsibilities and operational infrastructure. To receive the funding, Amtrak must complete and submit a grant application electronically. The submission package must include several key documents: the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance form, a detailed Statement of Work, a projection of operating and capital expenses compared to previous fiscal years, a description and cost breakdown of capital projects with estimated completion timelines, a report on safety culture improvements, and assurances for both construction and non-construction programs (SF-424B and SF-424D respectively). Additionally, Amtrak must submit signed assurances and certification forms from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s FRA. The opportunity was posted on June 23, 2025, and applications will be accepted until August 8, 2025. There are no earlier deadlines such as letters of intent or pre-applications indicated in the announcement. As this opportunity is issued on an annual appropriations basis, it is considered recurring. Based on the current posting, the next anticipated cycle for a similar opportunity would be in August 2026. Grant applicants or interested stakeholders needing technical support with the application process can reach out to the GrantSolutions Help Desk via email at help@grantsolutions.gov or by phone at 1-866-577-0771 or 202-401-5282. All applications and supporting documentation must be submitted electronically via the proper federal grant submission platforms.