$1.5 billion in National Infrastructure Investments FY 2026
The US Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant Program provides grants for surface transportation infrastructure projects with significant local or regional impact. BUILD grants will be awarded on a competitive basis, per statute, for planning or constructing surface transportation infrastructure projects that will improve safety; environmental sustainability; quality of life; mobility and community connectivity; economic competitiveness and opportunity, including tourism; state of good repair; partnership and collaboration; and innovation.
The eligibility requirements of BUILD allow project sponsors, including state and local governments, counties, Tribal governments, transit agencies, and port authorities, to pursue multi-modal and multi-jurisdictional projects that are more difficult to fund through other grant programs.
The BUILD program, previously known as the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) and Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) discretionary grants.
Applications will be accepted online until February 24, 2026. Minimum Award Size $1 million for rural capital projects, $5 million for urban capital projects, and Planning projects have no minimum award size. The maximum award is $25 million.
Eligible Project Types
- Highway or bridge projects eligible under title 23;
- Public transportation projects eligible under chapter 53, title 49;
- Passenger and freight rail transportation projects;
- Port infrastructure investments, including inland port infrastructure and land ports of entry;
- The surface transportation components of an airport project are eligible for assistance under part B of subtitle VII.
- Project investing in surface transportation facilities located on Tribal land, the title or maintenance responsibility of which is vested in the Federal Government;
- Projects to replace or rehabilitate a culvert or prevent stormwater runoff for the purpose of improving habitat for aquatic species that will advance the goal of the program;
- Intermodal projects whose components are otherwise an eligible project type;
- Any other surface transportation infrastructure project that the Secretary considers to be necessary to advance the goals of the program