The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, oversees railroad safety, policy, and investment across the nation. Under the FY2026 Continuing Appropriations Act (Pub. L. 119-37), the FRA is tasked with allocating $427,739,036 to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, commonly known as Amtrak. This allocation supports Amtrak’s operational, capital, and debt service needs related to the National Network, which includes long-distance routes and state-supported corridors beyond the Northeast Corridor. The funding will remain available until January 31, 2029, or until fully expended.
The primary objective of this cooperative agreement is to sustain and enhance Amtrak’s intercity passenger rail services. Specifically, the grant is intended to cover the costs of train operations, infrastructure improvements, and debt obligations associated with Amtrak's national operations outside the Northeast Corridor. The funding reflects the federal government’s commitment to maintaining a robust passenger rail network serving diverse geographic regions and socioeconomic groups.
The cooperative agreement allows only Amtrak to apply, as stipulated in the eligibility criteria. Applicants must electronically submit several components, including the SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance, a detailed Statement of Work, financial comparisons of projected and previous-year costs, descriptions and cost estimates for capital projects, and documentation addressing Amtrak’s safety culture efforts. Additionally, forms SF-424B and SF-424D must be submitted, along with signed assurances and certifications as required by the FRA.
Applications must be submitted by January 8, 2026. There is no mention of a rolling or recurring submission cycle, and there is no requirement for cost sharing or matching funds. The funding instrument is a cooperative agreement, indicating substantial involvement between FRA and Amtrak in managing and overseeing the grant activities.
For application assistance or technical issues accessing the grant materials, applicants are directed to contact the GrantSolutions Help Desk at 1.866.577.0771 or 202.401.5282, available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. The program does not indicate a specific contact person or email for content-related inquiries. No pre-application steps such as a letter of intent are required for eligibility or advancement.
The performance period runs until January 31, 2029, providing Amtrak multiple years to execute operations and capital improvements under this funding. Given the annual nature of federal appropriations for Amtrak, it is likely this type of funding opportunity recurs on a yearly basis, aligned with congressional budget cycles.
