Port Infrastructure Development Program

The Port Infrastructure Development Program is a discretionary federal grant program administered by the Maritime Administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation. It is authorized under federal statute and funded through a combination of appropriations from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the fiscal year appropriations legislation. The program is designed to strengthen the nation’s port infrastructure system by improving the safety, efficiency, and reliability of goods movement through ports and their intermodal connections. For fiscal year 2026, the program makes approximately 488,628,000 dollars available for award to eligible entities across the United States. The core objective of the program is to fund capital and planning projects that enhance port operations and logistics performance. Eligible projects include infrastructure improvements within port boundaries or those directly connected to port operations, such as terminal upgrades, rail and highway connections, freight technology systems, and environmental mitigation measures. The program also supports resilience improvements, electrification efforts, and infrastructure that benefits seafood-related industries. Funding may not be used for certain restricted purposes, including vessel construction under specific statutes or projects that result in job loss due to automation. The program also imposes restrictions related to foreign technology platforms and compliance with federal policy requirements. Applicants must meet defined eligibility criteria and include public sector entities such as states, local governments, port authorities, tribal governments, and certain special districts. Joint applications are permitted, including partnerships with private entities, but a public entity must serve as the lead applicant and primary recipient. Applicants must demonstrate legal authority to carry out the project and provide evidence of financial capacity, including required cost sharing. Generally, the federal share of project costs cannot exceed 80 percent, although higher shares may be allowed for rural projects or smaller ports. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes several required components. Applicants must complete standard federal forms, including the SF-424, and prepare a comprehensive project narrative. The narrative must address project description, location, funding sources, merit criteria, and statutory requirements. Supporting documentation such as benefit-cost analyses, maps, letters of support, and budget details must also be included. Applications are evaluated based on statutory merit criteria including safety, efficiency, economic vitality, leveraging of federal funds, and resilience, as well as additional considerations such as project readiness and innovation. The deadline for applications is June 1, 2026 at 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time. All submissions must be completed electronically through Grants.gov, and late submissions are not accepted. Applicants must also maintain active registration in the System for Award Management. Following submission, applications undergo a multi-phase review process including eligibility screening, technical evaluation, and senior-level review before final selection by the Secretary of Transportation. Awarded projects are subject to federal compliance requirements, including environmental review, procurement standards, and reporting obligations. Funds are distributed on a reimbursement basis, requiring recipients to incur costs upfront and request reimbursement. Projects must meet obligation deadlines by September 30, 2030, and funds are expected to be expended within five years of obligation. Recipients must submit regular progress and financial reports and may be required to participate in program evaluations. The program is offered on a recurring basis with annual funding cycles. Applicants may reapply in future cycles if unsuccessful. For additional information, applicants may contact the program via email or phone, and supporting materials and guidance are available through official federal websites.

Strong applications clearly quantify safety, efficiency, and reliability benefits using data; align closely with merit criteria; demonstrate strong non-federal cost share; provide detailed project readiness and risk mitigation strategies