Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development Grant Program (DOT)

This program funds surface transportation projects that improve public infrastructure resilience to flood risks, with planning grants that support pre-construction activities such as environmental analysis, benefit-cost analysis, feasibility studies, and community engagement.

	Supports nature-based solutions		Targeted support for small communities
	Encourages public-private partnerships

Application cycle: The application deadline for FY2026 closed February 24th, 2026. Unfunded FY2026 applications on the Highly Rated List will carry over into FY2027.

Summary: The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grants are a good fit for communities with large, expensive surface transportation projects, including roads, bridges, transit, rail, ports, or intermodal transportation. Some past projects included measures to address flooding, such as roadway elevation or flood warning sensors.  Project applications are evaluated using merit criteria that emphasize safety, quality of life, mobility, community connectivity, and economic competitiveness, ensuring investments deliver broad public benefits while strengthening resilience to flooding and other hazards. 

Eligible applicants: States, District of Columbia, any territory or possession of the United States, a unit of local government, a public agency or publicly chartered authority established by one or more States, a special purpose district or public authority with a transportation function, including a port authority, a Federally recognized Indian Tribe or a consortium of such Indian Tribes, a transit agency, a multi-State or multijurisdictional group of entities that are separately eligible.

Eligible activities: Planning, preparation, design, or construction of capital projects, such as road or bridge projects; public transportation projects; passenger and freight rail transportation projects; port infrastructure investments; and intermodal projects. Example flood protection and mitigation measures include flood-prone bridge replacement, roadway elevation, flood warning sensors, and green infrastructure.

Funding: 

• Maximum: $25 million.
• Projects are divided equally between rural and urban areas. 
• BUILD grant funds provide $1 million minimum for projects in rural areas, defined as being located outside of an urban area with a population of less than 200,000, and $5 million minimum for projects in all other areas.
• There is no minimum award size, regardless of location, for planning grants.

Cost share: 

• Filter — Needs-Based Cost Sharing: Up to 100% federal / 0% local, for projects in rural areas, Areas of Persistent Poverty, and Historically Disadvantaged Communities.
• 80% federal / 20% local for all other projects.
• Nonfederal sources may include state funds originating from programs funded by state revenue, local funds originating from state or local revenue-funded programs, or private funds.

Application process:

• Visit the U.S. Department of Transportation online for more information. 
• Applicants are to submit their Capital Grants and Planning Grants applications via Valid Eval 

Filter — Public Private Partnerships: The extent of partnerships and collaboration with public and/or private entities is a part of merit criteria assessed in the selection process.