Funding Opportunities
Below are resources cities can use for funding sources. If you have any resources you’d like to see added to this list, please let us know.
BUILD Grant Program’s Notice of Funding Opportunity
OST recently issued the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant Program’s Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) (located at FY 2026 BUILD Grants Notice of Funding Opportunity | US Department of Transportation). This NOFO announces up to $1.5Billion in funding from The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for projects that will have a significant local and regional impact and improve transportation infrastructure. The press release is posted here: https://www.transportation.gov/BUILDgrants. Applications are due February 26, 2026.
Applicants should email questions to: BUILDgrants@dot.gov
2026 STIC Innovation Incentive Funds
Iowa’s Statewide Transportation Innovation Council (STIC) is currently soliciting ideas for innovations and technologies eligible for STIC Incentive Funds. Projects eligible for STIC funding under this current solicitation include, but are not limited to, projects that advance the implementation of Every Day Counts (EDC) Innovations. Visit the 2026 STIC Incentive Funds website to submit your idea. The deadline to apply will be March 2, 2026.
USDOT Funding Resources and Opportunities
The USDOT Discretionary Grants Dashboard provides communities with an overview of discretionary grant opportunities that can help meet their transportation infrastructure needs. The Dashboard also includes Federal grant programs outside of DOT that may be of particular interest to rural communities. The below list spotlights just a few of the currently open funding opportunities – visit the Grants Dashboard to find more or check out the calendar of open and upcoming grant opportunities!
Funding through the Iowa DOT
- The Iowa DOT has a wonderful resource full of information regarding state and federal programs providing transportation funding to local governments and other entities. Click here to explore the Iowa DOT’s Funding Guide.
- The Iowa DOT, Modal Transportation Bureau would like to remind cities and counties of the beneficial cost-sharing rail programs available for the repair of at-grade crossing surfaces and upgrading active warning devices at railroad crossings.
- State funded Highway-Railroad Crossing Surface Repair Program
- Federally funded Highway-Railroad Crossing Safety Program, (upgrading of signals, lights, and gates). * Note: The IIJA Bill, passed in 2021 changed the funding for this program from 90% federal funds / 10% local match to 100% federally funded.
- The Local Systems Bureau of the Iowa DOT has developed a website dealing with information describing the various programs within the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The IIJA provides federal funding for bridges, streets, and other projects. The link is: https://iowadot.gov/local_systems/IIJA-Information. The website also provides guidance on the use of SWAP funds and the processes to undertake as the SWAP program evolves and federally funded projects are developed.