FY26 Northeast Corridor Commission (NECC) Project

The Northeast Corridor Commission (NEC Commission) Project is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Railroad Administration under a cooperative agreement funding mechanism. It is authorized by the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA), specifically Section 212, which mandates the formation of the NEC Commission. This commission's primary function is to facilitate mutual cooperation and strategic planning for rail operations along the Northeast Corridor (NEC), one of the most heavily trafficked passenger rail corridors in the United States. The NEC Commission is a multi-stakeholder body composed of 18 voting members, including representatives from the eight states and the District of Columbia along the corridor, as well as members from the U.S. Department of Transportation and Amtrak. The FY26 NEC Commission Project aims to continue the strategic and operational objectives outlined under PRIIA. These include the development of a unified vision for rail services, coordinating capital investments, and producing critical reports such as the statement of goals, access cost allocation, and analyses of economic development related to the NEC. The project is designed to strengthen cooperative governance across jurisdictions and improve long-term planning and service coordination across state lines. By centralizing planning and fostering inter-agency collaboration, the NEC Commission seeks to address longstanding issues of capacity, infrastructure degradation, and service integration. The total program funding for this opportunity is $10,000,001, with an award ceiling matching the full amount. As a cooperative agreement, the award includes substantial involvement from the Federal Railroad Administration in project execution. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, simplifying the financial planning for the recipient. However, the grant is not open for competitive application; Amtrak is the sole eligible applicant, reflecting its statutory role as the primary intercity passenger rail operator along the NEC and a central participant in the Commission’s governance. Application for this opportunity must be submitted electronically via GrantSolutions by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on February 6, 2026. First-time applicants to GrantSolutions will receive account credentials by email, whereas existing grantees must use their current login credentials. Required components of the application include the SF-424 series of forms (Application for Federal Assistance, Budget Information - Non-Construction, and Assurances - Non-Construction), a Statement of Work or Project Summary, and signed Federal Railroad Administration Assurances & Certifications. These documents must be submitted as attachments within the GrantSolutions portal. Evaluation of the application will follow internal agency procedures, with substantial guidance and oversight expected from both the Office of Railroad Development and the Office of the Railroad Chief Financial Officer. Key contacts for the opportunity include Lou M. Lorello for administrative and budgetary matters (Lou.Lorello@dot.gov, 202-440-2563) and Yen Le for programmatic questions (Yen.Le@dot.gov, 512-568-7085). The application window is short, and no additional pre-application steps such as a Letter of Intent or Concept Paper are required. This funding opportunity does not indicate recurrence or renewal timelines, and no subsequent cycles or future due dates are announced. While recurring in purpose, it appears to be a single-instance award aligned with ongoing statutory responsibilities. Applicants are encouraged to use the help resources available via the GrantSolutions Help Desk for technical issues, which operates weekdays from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Eastern Time. The application window opens upon posting (January 29, 2026) and closes definitively on February 6, 2026, making prompt attention essential for timely submission.