Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund

The Maine Infrastructure Adaptation Fund (MIAF), administered by the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT), provides one-time funding to municipalities, Tribal governments, and infrastructure districts to help them adapt critical infrastructure in response to the growing risks associated with climate change. This initiative is part of Maine’s larger climate resilience strategy, aligning with recommendations from the Maine Climate Council and incorporating priorities set forth in the state’s “Maine Won’t Wait” plan. The program is specifically intended to enhance the resilience of publicly owned infrastructure facing threats such as sea level rise, extreme precipitation, and severe weather events. The MIAF targets both the planning and construction phases of adaptation projects. Eligible activities include scoping and design for infrastructure improvements, which are capped at $75,000 per project, and construction projects, which can receive up to $3,000,000. Projects are encouraged, though not required, to utilize nature-based solutions (NbS), or hybrid approaches that integrate green and gray infrastructure. These approaches include using wetlands, vegetative buffers, and stormwater gardens, combined with structural components like upgraded culverts or raised roadways, to address vulnerabilities while maintaining ecological integrity. Funded projects must address key risks including coastal and inland flooding, stream crossing failures, severe winter weather, and rising seas. Priority is given to solutions that incorporate climate projections and resilience best practices. The 2026 Resilience Guidelines outline preferred engineering strategies such as elevating or relocating roads, upgrading stormwater and wastewater systems to handle extreme precipitation events, and replacing stream crossings to improve ecological flow and manage peak stream events. These upgrades should be designed to meet standards such as the 100-year storm flow capacity and proper streambed alignment to support aquatic connectivity. Applicants may submit up to three distinct applications, each for a separate project. A standardized application template is provided and must be used. Applications are submitted via email to [email protected], with the subject line formatted as instructed in the official guidance. Late applications will not be considered, and confirmation of receipt will be sent within one week of submission. Each application is reviewed by an inter-agency evaluation team using a project rating rubric that includes considerations of technical feasibility, climate adaptation benefits, and project readiness. The total available funding for the 2026 round is $13.8 million. A local match of 5% of total project costs, either in cash or in-kind, is required. This match must be raised or appropriated by the applying entity. The application window opens on March 25, 2026, and closes on May 11, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Based on the published materials, this grant was a one-time opportunity without any indication of recurring funding. However, the December 2025 advance notice and structured program guidance may signal interest in future iterations depending on available resources and outcomes. Eligibility is limited to publicly owned infrastructure projects from municipal governments, Tribal communities, and infrastructure districts within Maine. Projects must be located within the state and be aimed at increasing resilience to climate-related risks. The grant explicitly excludes construction of hard shoreline stabilization unless incorporated into a hybrid green-and-gray strategy. Contact for the grant is Lirella Jaen at [email protected], and applicants are encouraged to consult the full Resilience Guidelines document for further details on project types and engineering requirements.

Submit early and follow naming conventions precisely; email-only submissions will be disqualified if late