Port Infrastructure Development Program

The program makes discretionary grants to improve port facilities at coastal seaports, inland river ports, and Great Lakes ports for the purpose of improving the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods through ports and intermodal

The program makes grants to improve facilities within, or outside of and directly related to operations of or an intermodal connection to, coastal seaports, inland river ports, and Great Lakes ports.

Eligible applicants for PIDP discretionary grant awards include: A State, a political subdivision of a State, or a local government, a public agency or publicly chartered authority established by one or more States, a special purpose district with a transportation function, an Indian Tribe as defined in section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304), or a consortium of Indian Tribes, a multistate or multijurisdictional group of entities listed above, or a lead entity described above jointly with a private entity or group of private entities, including the owners or operators of a facility, or collection of facilities at a port.

An eligible applicant for a Port Infrastructure Development Program discretionary grants is a port authority, a commission or its subdivision or agent under existing authority, as well as a State or political subdivision of a State or local government, a Tribal government, a public agency or publicly chartered authority established by one or more States, a special purpose district with a transportation function, a multistate or multijurisdictional group of entities, or a lead entity described above jointly with a private entity or group of private entities.

The BIL, the annual Appropriations Act, and 46 U.S.C. 54301 impose several restrictions on awards. Not more than 25 percent of the available funds can be awarded for projects in any one State. For funding available in FY 2025 , at least $42,000,000 is reserved for grants to coastal seaports or Great Lakes ports. Twenty-five percent of the available funds are reserved for small projects at small ports awarded under 46 U.S.C. 54301(b). Of the reserved amount, not more than 10 percent may be used to make grants for development phase activities under 46 U.S.C. 54301(b)(3)(A)(ii)(III). Not more than 10 percent of the funds not reserved for small projects at small ports may be awarded for development phase activities for large projects that do not result in construction. A current list of funding restrictions is posted each grant cycle in the Notice of Funding Opportunity. DOT intends to award discretionary grants for projects that improve facilities within, or outside of and directly related to operations of, or an intermodal connection to, coastal seaports, inland river ports, and Great Lakes ports.

To ensure funds are expended in a timely manner, the Department, to the extent possible, seeks to obligate PIDP funds within three (3) years of selection for award. The Department also seeks to expend funds within five (5) years of obligation. DOT, in cooperation with awardees, will determine an appropriate period of performance for each award based on the schedule of the proposed project. Assistance is provided on a reimbursable basis.

Preapplication coordination is not required.

The merit selection criteria are published annually in each NOFO and may change from year to year based on legislative amendment or specific appropriations language. DOT intends to award appropriated funds to projects that improve facilities within, or outside of and directly related to operations of, or an intermodal connection to, coastal seaports, inland river ports, and Great Lakes ports.

An evaluation panel reviews all eligible applications and rates proposals against the merit selection criteria. The Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy selects projects for award.