The United Stated States Department of Transportation (USDOT) is requesting applications for the Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) discretionary grant program through the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). 

The RCP Program aims to advance and support reconnection of communities divided by transportation infrastructure – with a priority on helping disadvantaged communities improve access to daily needs (jobs, schools, healthcare, grocery stores, and recreation). Funds for the fiscal years (FY) 2024, 2025, and 2026 RCP grant program are to be awarded on a competitive basis to support planning and capital construction activities that aim to restore community connectivity through the removal, retrofit, mitigation or replacement of highways, roadways, or other infrastructure facilities that create barriers to mobility, access or economic development.

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law specifies that the maximum Community Planning Grant award funded with RCP funds is $2 million and that the minimum Capital Construction Grant award funded with RCP funds is $5 million.

MORE INFORMATION and HOW TO APPLY

The Department will prioritize grant funding applications that demonstrate the following characteristics: 

  • Equity and Justice40 (i.e., will benefit economically disadvantaged communities)
  • Access
  • Facility Suitability
  • Community Engagement, and Community-based Stewardship, Management, and Partnerships
  • Equitable Development
  • Climate Change Mitigation and/or Adaptation and Resilience
  • Workforce Development and Economic Opportunity
  • Planning Integration

Do not apply through Grants.gov. You must apply through Valid Eval. Grants.gov will have the RCP opportunity posted, but you cannot apply through Grants.gov.

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) Thursday, September 30, 2024.