State and Federal Grant Funding Opportunities for Winter 2024–2025

Federal Transportation Funding to Improve Resilience to Natural Hazards and Climate Change

Federal Highway Administration program aims to improve highway, public transportation, port, and intercity rail infrastructure.

The Federal Highway Administration has made available $1.4 billion over five years to help public agencies protect transportation infrastructure from natural hazards, including climate change, sea level rise, flooding, extreme weather events, and other natural disasters. Up to $576 million will be available for applicants that submit requests by February 2025; a second round of funding will provide up to $300 million for applicants that submit requests between October 2025 and February 2026. State and local governments, public transportation authorities, ports, tribes, metropolitan planning organizations, multijurisdictional entities, and others are eligible to apply. Funding may be used for projects such as planning, improving infrastructure resilience, developing evacuation routes, supporting community resilience, and protecting at-risk coastal infrastructure. Eligible infrastructure includes highway, public transportation, port, and intercity rail systems. A 20 percent match is required. Applications are due by February 24, 2025. To learn more, visit the Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost- Saving Transportation (PROTECT) page.

Up to $1.5 Billion Available in Transportation Grants

USDOT program provides funding to rebuild transportation infrastructure.

The U.S. Department of Transportation has opened a second round of selection for up to $1.5 billion in funding to improve surface transportation projects with significant local or regional impact. Eligible applicants include states, local governments such as counties and cities, federally recognized Indian tribes, special purpose districts or public authorities with a transportation function, transit agencies, and multijurisdictional groups. Capital and planning projects that aim to improve safety, environmental sustainability, quality of life, mobility and community connectivity, and economic competitiveness; keep assets in a state of good repair; and foster partnership, collaboration, and innovation are eligible. Eligible projects include highways or bridges, public transportation, rail and port infrastructure, surface transportation facilities, intermodal projects, and projects to replace or rehabilitate culverts, prevent stormwater runoff, and improve habitat for aquatic species. A 20 percent match is required except in areas of persistent poverty or for a historically disadvantaged community, for which there is no match requirement. Applications are due January 30, 2025. For more information, visit the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) page.

Two Funding Opportunities for Fish Passage

Two programs unleash funding to support removing barriers to fish migration.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is providing more than $95 million to reopen migratory pathways and restore access to healthy habitat for fish through two programs:

• One opportunity, Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal, is open to nonprofits, for-profit organizations, U.S. territories, and local and tribal governments. to implement locally led removals of dams and other in-stream barriers. Eligible projects include barrier removal projects that benefit migratory fish. Details about eligibility are provided in the application instructions. Typical funding is anticipated to range from $3 million to $5 million. There is no matching requirement. Applications are due February 10, 2025. To learn more, visit the Restoring Fish Passage through Barrier Removal Grants program page.
• The other opportunity, Restoring Tribal Priority Fish Passage through Barrier Removal, provides tribes and tribal organizations with building tribal organizational capacity and implementing fish passage work. Eligible projects may also provide community and economic benefits, such as enhancing climate resilience and improving aging infrastructure. Typical funding is anticipated to range from $500,000 to $4 million. There is no matching requirement. Applications are due February 27, 2025. To learn more, visit the Restoring Tribal Priority Fish Passage through Barrier Removal program page.

Funding for Water Resources Projects Available in the First Quarter of 2025

Program supports collaborative projects that increase the reliability of water resources.

The U.S. Department of the Interior is providing funding for water resources projects—including water conservation and efficiency projects, water management and infrastructure improvements, and river and watershed restoration projects. Eligible projects will use nature-based solutions that provide significant ecological benefits, have been developed as part of a collaborative process, and help carry out an established strategy to increase the reliability of water resources. Applicants can apply in one of two categories: Category A includes states, tribes, irrigation districts, water districts, and other organizations with authority to deliver water or power. Category B includes nonprofit conservation organizations (including watershed groups) acting in partnership with a Category A applicant or after notifying a Category A applicant (see details in the application guidance). The funding can provide up to $3 million for a project to be completed in three years and up to $5 million for a watershed group project that can be completed within five years. A 25 percent match is required. Applications are due March 11, 2025. For more information, visit the WaterSMART Environmental Water Resources Project page and select the link for the FY24 Water Resources Projects funding opportunity.

Up to $132.75 Million Available for Large-Scale Water Recycling Projects

The program supports stakeholder efforts to stretch water resources.

The U.S. Department of the Interior is providing funding for the planning, design, and construction of urban and irrigation water reclamation and reuse projects in western states. Eligible projects must have a total project cost of greater than or equal to $500 million, increase water source flexibility and reliability, and include benefits for disadvantaged communities. Eligible applicants include states, tribes, irrigation districts, water and wastewater districts, and other organizations with the authority to deliver water or power. The award will be based on a maximum of 25 percent of the total project cost. Within 60 days of applying, applicants must submit a project feasibility study and estimated cost to the Bureau of Reclamation for review before funding may be awarded. A 25 percent match is required. Applications are due April 7, 2025. For more information, visit the WaterSMART Large-Scale Recycling Projects page and select the link for the FY23 and FY24 Large-Scale Recycling Projects funding opportunity.

Infrastructure Funding for Rural Communities in Idaho

The program funds infrastructure improvements and real estate investments.

Idaho Commerce provides funds to rural areas in support of economic expansion and job creation. Cities and tribes with populations of less than 25,000 and counties may apply. Funding may be used to extend infrastructure (streets, water, sewer, power, telecommunications) in support of economic development or acquire or remodel real estate for lease or purchase by a company. Awards range between $50,000 and $500,000, depending on the proposed project scope. Projects that benefit distressed areas, provide jobs, stimulate local economies, and have community support will be given priority consideration. A local match is required; however, the amount has not been set. Applications are due March 17, 2025. To learn more and read the guidelines, visit the Rural Community Investment Fund page.

Funding for Senior and Community Centers and Job-Creation in Idaho Communities

The program supports rehabilitating or expanding senior centers and improving facilities that create jobs.

Idaho Commerce provides funding in support of economic expansion and job creation. Cities and counties with populations of less than 50,000 may apply. Funding may be used to expand or improve public infrastructure necessary for business expansion and high-quality job creation assessment of an existing community or senior center or planning new construction of a community or senior center. Projects must benefit low-to-moderate-income communities and economic development benefits will be measured in jobs created within the first two years of project completion. Activities related to senior and community centers include planning and assessment, energy audits, hazardous building materials surveys, and others. Awards of between $245,000 and $500,000 will be made depending on the nature of the proposed project. A 100 percent match is required. Applications for senior/community center projects are due March 7, 2025; applications for infrastructure expansion in support of economic development are due March 17, 2025. To learn more and read the guidelines, visit the Community Development Block Grant page.

$1.2 Billion Available for Broadband Access in Washington State

The program supports the Internet for All initiative. 

The Washington State Department of Commerce is providing approximately $1.2 billion to help expand broadband access to communities across the state.  

Eligible applicants include local and state governments, ports, public utility districts, federally recognized tribal governments, and nonprofit and for-profit entities. Eligible activities include projects that provide at least 100 megabits per second download and 20 megabits per second upload speeds and may include fiber optic installation. Projects must benefit unserved or underserved areas. Award amounts will vary, depending on the scope of the proposed project. A 25 percent match is required; however, some local governments and all tribes may receive funding to cover the match requirement. Applications are due by January 31, 2025. To learn more and read the guidelines, visit Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program.

$1 Million for Low-Income Housing in Washington State

Successful applicants may receive between $25,000 and $50,000 per fiscal year.

The Washington State Department of Commerce is providing approximately $1 million to help communities plan for low-income, emergency, and permanent supportive housing. Eligible applicants include county or city homeless housing lead entities or planning departments. Commerce will make one award per county. Eligible activities include (1) coordination of Housing and Urban Development Consolidated Plans with comprehensive plans for qualifying counties; (2) coordination of five-year homelessness plans with comprehensive plans for other counties; (3) developing county policies; and (4) coordinating information- and resource-sharing between counties. Applicants may apply for additional funding to update the development of regulations to allow emergency housing and shelters and to plan for the development of low-income housing. Partnerships between cities and counties are required. A letter of commitment from an elected official is required. Applications are due by January 31, 2025. To learn more and read the guidelines, visit Coordinating Low-Income Housing Planning.

Funding for Evaluating Water Conservation, Reuse, and Storage in Oregon

Up to $1.4 million will be available to help water providers conduct feasibility studies.

The Oregon Water Resources Department (OWRD) will fund studies to evaluate the feasibility and costs of developing water conservation, reuse, and storage projects. Up to $1.4 million will be available, pending funding for OWRD’s budget. Eligible applicants include local governments and tribes. OWRD encourages prospective applicants to participate in a pre-application conference before applying for funding. A 50 percent match is required. Applications are due March 12, 2025, and application guidance is available now. To learn more, visit OWRD’s Feasibility Study Grants page.

Funding for Climate Pollution Reduction Coming to Oregon

Up to $197 million will be available to support climate pollution reduction measures.

The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is developing a plan to distribute federal Climate Pollution Reduction Grant funding to local governments and tribes to develop plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollution. DEQ anticipates allocating $1 million in the Portland/Hillsboro/Vancouver metropolitan region and developing other programs to start in 2025. Sign up for updates and learn more at the Climate Equity and Resilience Through Action Grant page.