USDOT makes $1 billion available for newly branded RAISE grants
The U.S. Department of Transportation has published a Notice of Funding Opportunity for $1 billion in the newly named Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grants. While the name of the RAISE grants is new, they will fill the same role of their previous monikers – BUILD and TIGER in providing funding for surface transportation infrastructure projects.
The grant’s primary selection criteria include safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, economic competitiveness and state of good repair with secondary selection criteria including partnership and innovation. USDOT explains within these criteria, projects that can demonstrate improvements to racial equity, reduce impacts of climate change and create good-paying jobs will be prioritized.
“In communities across the country, there is tremendous need for transportation projects that create high-quality jobs, improve safety, protect our environment and generate equitable economic opportunity for all Americans,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. “With RAISE grants, we are making those needed investments in our communities' future.”
USDOT intends to award projects located in urban and rural areas an equitable amount with individual awards in rural areas not falling below $1 million and urban awards not falling below $5 million. Additional funding parameters for this round of awards include a maximum grant award to not exceed $25 million, a single state will not be awarded more than $100 million, up to $30 million will be awarded to planning grants, which includes at least $10 million to Areas of Persistent Poverty.
Applications are due on July 12, 2021. USDOT will host a series of webinars concerning the RAISE application process to provide technical assistance to prospective applicants. To register for the webinars visit www.transportation.gov/RAISEgrants/outreach.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
