Fiscal Years 2024 Through 2026 Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects Competitive Grant Program

The Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects program is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Highway Administration. The program was established under Section 1123 of the FAST Act and later amended by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. It is designed to support transportation infrastructure projects of national significance that are located on, adjacent to, or provide access to Federal or Tribal lands. The program reflects federal priorities around infrastructure modernization, economic competitiveness, and improved access to critical public lands and resources. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to provide competitive grant funding for the construction, reconstruction, or rehabilitation of transportation facilities. Eligible projects must demonstrate national or regional importance and contribute to improving transportation systems that serve Federal or Tribal lands. The program emphasizes projects that improve safety, enhance access to economic drivers such as tourism or natural resources, and address critical infrastructure needs. Projects must be fully developed, including completion of environmental review requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act at the time of application. Funding under this opportunity is available for fiscal years 2024 through 2026, with a total program funding pool of up to 165 million dollars. There is no minimum or maximum award size; however, eligible projects must have a total cost of at least 12.5 million dollars. The federal share can cover up to 100 percent of project costs for Tribal transportation facilities and up to 90 percent for non-Tribal facilities, requiring at least a 10 percent non-federal match in those cases. Funds may only be used for construction-related activities and cannot be applied to preliminary engineering or design costs. Eligible applicants include Federal Land Management Agencies, federally recognized Indian Tribes, and state or local governments when sponsored by an eligible federal or tribal entity. Local applicants must include a sponsorship letter outlining roles and responsibilities. Projects must be single, continuous efforts and must meet strict eligibility requirements related to location, scope, and readiness. Additionally, applicants must demonstrate that environmental approvals are complete and that the project has sufficient planning and cost estimation to proceed. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov using the required standard forms and the NSFLTP application template. Required components include budget documentation, assurances, lobbying disclosures, and detailed project narratives addressing eligibility and evaluation criteria. The application must clearly demonstrate alignment with statutory merit criteria, including infrastructure condition improvements, economic competitiveness, innovation, and readiness. Evaluation also includes a detailed project readiness assessment covering technical capacity, financial completeness, and permitting risk. The application window for this funding cycle opens on June 2, 2026 and closes on July 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Award announcements are anticipated the week of August 31, 2026. Following selection, recipients must enter into a grant agreement before incurring reimbursable costs. The period of performance is expected to range from one to four years depending on project scope. The program is not explicitly stated as recurring in a fixed annual cycle, but it operates across multiple fiscal years as authorized by federal legislation. Applicants should monitor future notices for subsequent funding rounds. Program contact is available through the Federal Highway Administration Office of Federal Lands Highway via email, and applicants are encouraged to review all guidance materials and templates prior to submission to ensure compliance and competitiveness.

Ensure NEPA completion and strong alignment with merit criteria including infrastructure impact, economic competitiveness, and project readiness. Demonstrate full funding plan and technical feasibility.