FY 2025 National Infrastructure Investments | DTOS59 25 RA RAISE

FY 2025 National Infrastructure Investments (RAISE Grants) - FAQs

1) What is the FY 2025 National Infrastructure Investments opportunity?

It is the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) FY 2025 funding round for the Local and Regional Project Assistance Program, commonly known as the RAISE Grants program. It is described as formerly associated with the TIGER and BUILD discretionary grant programs.

2) What law provides the funding authority for this NOFO?

The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) draws its funding authority from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, also called the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

3) How much funding is available under this NOFO?

The BIL authorized and appropriated $1.5 billion for competitive transportation projects that deliver significant local or regional impact.

4) Can the NOFO change after it is posted?

Yes. DOT notes that if the FY 2025 Appropriations Act adds money or changes requirements for these funds, the NOFO may be amended to reflect those updates.

5) Is funding awarded competitively?

Yes. Funding is awarded competitively.

6) Is any funding reserved for planning, preparation, or design?

Yes. DOT is required by the BIL to reserve at least 5 percent of the total available amount for planning, preparation, or design activities tied to eligible projects. Based on $1.5 billion total, that is at least $75 million.

7) Why does the planning set-aside matter for applicants?

It supports applicants that are not yet ready for full construction but can credibly advance a project through early phases (planning, preparation, or design) that position it for later delivery.

8) How will selected RAISE grants be administered after award?

DOT expects each selected RAISE grant to be administered through a relevant DOT modal administration under a grant agreement, meaning post-award oversight and grant management will flow through the DOT operating administration most closely aligned with the project type.

9) Are there statutory rules affecting how funding is distributed geographically?

Yes. Several statutory distribution rules shape awards, including an urban-rural balance requirement and a cap on how much any single state may receive.

10) What is the required balance between rural and urban awards?

No more than 50 percent of the funding may go to projects in rural areas, and no more than 50 percent may go to projects in urbanized areas.

11) How does this NOFO define rural versus urbanized areas?

Rural areas are defined here as population 200,000 or less. Urbanized areas are defined here as population more than 200,000.

12) Is there a limit on how much funding one state can receive?

Yes. No single state may receive more than 15 percent of the total RAISE discretionary funding available, stated as $225 million out of $1.5 billion.

13) Does DOT consider factors beyond the formal caps?

Yes. Beyond the caps, DOT must take steps to promote equitable geographic distribution, maintain an appropriate urban-rural balance, and invest across a variety of transportation modes. This reinforces that it is intended to be a nationwide, multimodal program.

14) Why does the NOFO emphasize project readiness?

The NOFO strongly emphasizes readiness because the BIL imposes non-negotiable deadlines on the federal funds, and DOT will consider whether a project is ready to move forward in time to obligate funds within the allowed window.

15) What are the statutory obligation and expenditure deadlines?

FY 2025 RAISE funds must be obligated by September 30, 2029, and all funds must be fully expended by September 30, 2034.

16) Can DOT waive the statutory deadlines?

No. DOT explicitly states that no waiver is possible for these statutory deadlines.

17) What kinds of readiness information should an application be prepared to show?

DOT indicates applicants should be prepared to show realistic schedules, the status of environmental review and permitting, procurement readiness, and credible plans to deliver within the required timeframe.

18) Does the program allow pairing RAISE with federal credit assistance?

Yes. The statute allows DOT to use up to 20 percent of available funds (up to $300 million) to cover subsidy and administrative costs for projects receiving credit assistance under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA), when doing so advances the purposes of the RAISE program.

19) What is the practical significance of the TIFIA-related provision?

It creates an option for certain large or complex projects to pair grant support with federal credit assistance structures, potentially improving financing feasibility where appropriate.

20) What are the typical minimum and maximum award amounts for RAISE capital-type awards?

Generally, RAISE Transportation Discretionary Grants may not be less than $5 million and may not exceed $25 million.

21) Is there a different minimum award amount for rural projects?

Yes. Rural projects may request as little as $1 million.

22) Are planning projects subject to a minimum award size?

No. Planning projects have no minimum award size, which aligns with the planning set-aside and makes smaller, early-stage efforts more feasible to pursue.

23) What is the award ceiling stated in the NOFO?

The NOFO lists an award ceiling of $25,000,000.

24) How many awards does DOT anticipate making?

DOT anticipates about 150 awards, reflecting an intent to fund a broad set of projects rather than a small number of very large grants.

25) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include states (and the District of Columbia), U.S. territories or possessions, units of local government, public agencies or publicly chartered authorities established by one or more states, and special purpose districts or public authorities with transportation functions (including port authorities).

26) Are federally recognized Tribes eligible?

Yes. Federally recognized Indian Tribes (or consortia of Tribes) are eligible applicants.

27) Are transit agencies eligible?

Yes. Transit agencies are listed as eligible applicants.

28) Are multi-state or multi-jurisdictional groups allowed to apply?

Yes. Multi-state or multi-jurisdictional groups of entities are eligible.

29) Are joint applications allowed?

Yes. Joint applications are explicitly allowed.

30) What requirements apply to joint applications?

Joint applications must name a lead applicant as the primary point of contact. Every participating party must independently qualify as an eligible applicant. The application must clearly describe each party's roles and responsibilities and be signed by each project party.

31) Can prior recipients of RAISE, BUILD, or TIGER apply again?

Yes. Prior recipients of RAISE, BUILD, or TIGER grants may apply again to fund additional phases of previously awarded projects.

32) What does DOT say prior recipients should show to be competitive for an additional phase?

They should show that the earlier phase stayed on schedule and on budget, and that the project is producing (or remains positioned to produce) the benefits originally promised.

33) What is the application deadline?

The application deadline listed is January 30, 2025.

34) What is the opportunity number for this NOFO?

The opportunity number is DTOS59 25 RA RAISE.

35) What is the CFDA number for this program?

The CFDA is 20.933.

36) Which DOT office is identified as the issuing agency?

The issuing agency is DOT's Office of the Under Secretary for Policy (agency code 69A345).

37) What types of projects is the program designed to support?

The program is designed for high-impact, locally or regionally significant transportation investments, with statutory guardrails on geographic distribution, award sizing, and delivery timelines.