Opportunity Information: Apply for RSTGP 23 24 RURAL
The Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program (RURAL) is a U.S. Department of Transportation discretionary grant opportunity created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to fund major improvements to surface transportation infrastructure in rural areas. It is being offered as part of DOT's broader Multimodal Projects Discretionary Grant (MPDG) approach, which combines three large discretionary programs into a single application opportunity. The goal of this combined structure is to reduce administrative burden for state and local applicants and to build a stronger pipeline of projects that are ready to advance, often described as "shovel-worthy." DOT frames the program as a way to support job creation, economic growth, emissions reduction, improved safety, stronger supply chains, lower costs for families, and more resilient and sustainable transportation systems, with a particular emphasis on rural America and underserved communities.
At its core, RURAL is designed to improve and expand rural surface transportation to increase connectivity and strengthen the safe, reliable movement of people and freight. The program targets outcomes like better access between communities, safer travel conditions, more dependable freight movement, and regional economic growth that can improve quality of life. Projects funded through RURAL are intended to support the practical transportation links that rural economies rely on, including routes that connect to key facilities and markets.
Eligible project types under the rural program include highway, bridge, and tunnel projects in rural areas, especially those that improve freight movement, enhance safety, and provide new or improved access to facilities that are central to a rural region's economy. DOT specifically calls out access tied to agricultural, commercial, energy, or transportation facilities, which signals that projects connecting farms, processing and distribution hubs, energy production sites, industrial areas, ports, rail intermodal facilities, and similar economic anchors may be particularly relevant as long as they fit the rural eligibility and program goals.
For this funding round, DOT indicated it would award up to $675 million through the Rural Surface Transportation Grant Program. This annual amount sits within a larger $2 billion total set aside for rural grants over five years under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. A major feature of this program is the emphasis on larger awards: at least 90% of rural funding must be awarded in grants of $25 million or more. Practically, that means applicants requesting less than $25 million are competing for a much smaller slice of the total, roughly $67.5 million nationwide, making the small-project competition significantly tighter.
Eligible applicants include public-sector entities with transportation responsibilities in rural areas. DOT lists eligible applicants as: (1) a State, (2) a regional transportation planning organization, (3) a unit of local government, (4) a tribal government or a consortium of tribal governments, or (5) a multijurisdictional group composed of the eligible entities above. For purposes of this program, "States" are defined to include the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. This eligibility structure allows applications from individual entities as well as collaborative submissions across jurisdictions, which can be useful for corridor-scale projects that cross county, tribal, or regional boundaries.
Administrative details in the opportunity listing characterize the program as discretionary and funded via grants. The opportunity number is RSTGP 23 24 RURAL, and it is administered by DOT (Office of the Under Secretary for Policy). The listing shows an original closing date of 2023-08-21 and a maximum program amount stated as $675,000,000 for this round. DOT also points applicants to information on prior-year awards, which can be helpful for understanding the kinds of projects selected and typical award sizes: https://www.transportation.gov/grants/rural-2022-fact-sheets.Apply for RSTGP 23 24 RURAL
- The 69A345 Office of the Under Secretary for Policy in the iij sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Rural Surface Transportation Grant Progam" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.938.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-06-26.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-08-21. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $675,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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