Railroad Development

This Assistance Listing Number (ALN) 20.334 created in August 2025 was included in the previous ALN 20.314, please refer to former ALN 20.314 for FY 24 and FY 25 financial obligations. The new Assistance Listing Number 20.334 will be utilized by DOT

To provide financial assistance for: Planning and developing railroad corridors (including environmental studies), purchasing rail equipment, rail line relocation and improvement projects, construction projects that improve rail lines, enhance service, and add capacity to the national rail system, capital construction, rehabilitation and improvements benefiting train operations.

State governments (includes District of Columbia); Regional and Local governments (excludes institutions of higher education and hospitals); For-profit organizations, such as railroads.

Profit organization, State, Local State governments Regional and local governments For-profit organizations, such as railroads.

(1) The financial assistance may fund, but is not limited to, rehabilitation or construction of railroads, including planning activities and associated studies. (2) The financial assistance may also fund freight projects of national or regional significance such as railway-highway grade crossing or grade separation projects; or a freight project that is (1) an intermodal or rail project or (2) within the boundaries of a public or private freight rail, water, or intermodal facility as stated in each funding solicitation.

The restriction is based on the period of performance as outlined in the grant award. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Assistance is usually awarded upon request for reimbursement. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: ACH reimbursement

The restriction is based on the period of performance as outlined in the grant award. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Assistance is usually awarded upon request for reimbursement. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: ACH reimbursement

Preapplication coordination is required. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review.

Typical criteria in descending order of relative importance: (1) Degree to which it may improve upon or advance railroad safety; (2) Overall scientific and/technical merit; (3) Likelihood for its near term adoption and implementation of possible recommendations; (4) Degree to which the proposed project fits into the Administration's overall research objectives: (5) Reasonableness and realism of the proposed cost, and the availability of funds (to include due consideration for proposed cost-sharing by the applicant).

FRA will contact applicants with successful applications with information and instructions about the award process. This notification is not an authorization to begin proposed project activities. A formal grant agreement or cooperative agreement signed by both the grantee and the FRA, including an approved scope, schedule, and budget, is required before the award is considered complete.

Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines.

2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFO) for this listing will be posted on Grants.gov (opens in new window) (opens in new window). The applicant must submit the following information: SF424 - Application for Federal Assistance, SF 424C - Budget Information for Construction, or SF 424A - Budget Information for Non-Construction, SF 424D - Assurances for Construction, or SF 424B - Assurances for Non-Construction, FRA's Additional Assurances and Certifications, and other information such as project narratives, statements of work, and budgets.

Grants contemplated in this program are predominantly project-oriented rather than on-going efforts and are therefore non-renewable.