BUILD Grants: $1.5 Billion for Local Transportation Infrastructure

The Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant Program represents one of the most significant federal funding opportunities for local governments seeking to improve their transportation infrastructure. With $1.5 billion available for FY 2026, this competitive grant program offers municipalities, counties, tribes, and transit agencies the chance to secure funding for transformative surface transportation projects.

What is the BUILD Grant Program?

BUILD, previously known as RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) and TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery), was established under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The program has awarded more than $18 billion in 18 rounds to local governments, tribes, transit and port authorities, states, and other entities.

The program funds surface transportation infrastructure projects that will have a significant local or regional impact. Unlike formula-based federal transportation funding that flows through state DOTs, BUILD grants go directly to local project sponsors, giving municipalities more control over their transportation investments.

Who Can Apply?

The BUILD program is specifically designed for local project sponsors. Eligible applicants include:

• States and the District of Columbia
• U.S. territories and possessions
• Units of local government (cities, counties, townships)
• Public agencies or publicly chartered authorities established by one or more states
• Special purpose districts or public authorities with transportation functions, including port authorities
• Federally recognized Indian Tribes or consortia of tribes
• Transit agencies
• Multi-state or multijurisdictional groups of eligible entities

Important: Federal agencies, non-profits, private entities, and individuals are not eligible to apply.

Eligible Project Types

BUILD grants fund a wide range of surface transportation infrastructure projects, including:

Capital Projects

• Highway or bridge projects eligible under Title 23
• Public transportation projects eligible under Chapter 53 of Title 49
• Passenger and freight rail transportation projects
• Port infrastructure investments (including inland ports and land ports of entry)
• Surface transportation components of airport projects
• Projects on Tribal land where title or maintenance is vested in the Federal Government
• Culvert replacement or stormwater runoff prevention for aquatic habitat improvement
• Intermodal projects with otherwise eligible components

Planning Projects

• Feasibility studies and benefit-cost analyses
• Environmental analysis and permitting activities
• Master plans and comprehensive transportation plans
• Multimodal freight corridor development planning
• Port and regional port planning
• Risk assessments for transportation system resilience

Note: Planning projects have no minimum funding requirement, making them accessible for smaller municipalities beginning to explore major infrastructure investments.

Cost Sharing Requirements

Understanding the cost-share requirements is crucial for developing a competitive application:

• Urban Projects: Maximum 80% federal funding (20% local match required)
• Rural Projects: Up to 100% federal funding eligible
• Areas of Persistent Poverty (APP): Up to 100% federal funding eligible
• Historically Disadvantaged Communities (HDC): Up to 100% federal funding eligible

A project is designated as "urban" if located within a Census-designated urban area with a population greater than 200,000 in the 2020 Census. All other areas are considered "rural."

Merit Criteria: How Applications Are Evaluated

BUILD applications are evaluated against eight statutory merit criteria. Understanding these criteria is essential for crafting a competitive application:

Priority Merit Criteria

The FY 2026 NOFO emphasizes four priority criteria:

1. Safety: Projects that reduce fatalities and serious injuries, implement autonomous systems for safety, eliminate at-grade crossings, or protect motorized and non-motorized travelers
2. Quality of Life: Projects that beautify transportation infrastructure, improve the travel experience for families, enhance wayfinding, or make transportation more affordable
3. Mobility and Community Connectivity: Projects that improve vehicular roadway capacity, enhance accessibility for families and Americans with disabilities, or reconnect communities
4. Economic Competitiveness: Projects that advance domestic energy, support maritime industries, promote economic growth, improve freight mobility, or facilitate tourism

Additional Merit Criteria

5. Environmental Sustainability: Resilience improvements, stormwater management, and habitat restoration
6. State of Good Repair: Modernizing existing infrastructure and addressing system vulnerabilities
7. Partnership and Collaboration: Community engagement, public-private partnerships, and workforce development
8. Innovation: Innovative technologies, project delivery methods, and financing approaches

To receive a "Highly Recommended" rating and automatically advance to second-tier analysis, applications must receive "High" ratings on at least six of the eight merit criteria with no "Non-Responsive" ratings.

Application Requirements

Applications must be submitted through Valid Eval (not Grants.gov) and include:

• SF-424 Application for Federal Assistance
• SF-LLL Disclosure of Lobbying Activities
• Project Description (5 pages max)
• Project Location File (Shapefile or KML/KMZ)
• Project Budget (5 pages max) with funding commitment documentation
• Merit Criteria Narrative (15 pages max)
• Project Readiness File (5 pages max)
• Benefit-Cost Analysis (capital projects only)
• Letters of Support (optional)

Key Dates and Deadlines

• Application Deadline: February 24, 2026, 5:00 PM Eastern
• Award Announcements: No later than June 28, 2026
• Obligation Deadline: September 30, 2030
• Expenditure Deadline: September 30, 2035

Tips for a Competitive Application

1. Start with Required Registrations

Ensure your organization has an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). These registrations can take several weeks, so don't wait until the last minute.

2. Align with Priority Criteria

Focus your narrative on demonstrating clear, data-driven benefits in the four priority criteria: safety, quality of life, mobility and community connectivity, and economic competitiveness.

3. Demonstrate Project Readiness

Projects that can begin construction within 18 months of selection are prioritized. Have your environmental reviews, permits, and design work as advanced as possible.

4. Develop a Strong Benefit-Cost Analysis

For capital projects, a well-documented BCA with a ratio of at least 2.0 can receive the highest rating. Use DOT's BCA guidance and templates available on the BUILD website.

5. Secure Committed Funding

Document all funding sources with commitment letters from governing officials or chief financial officers. Projects with higher non-federal cost shares may be prioritized.

6. Build Strong Partnerships

Include letters of support from stakeholders and describe meaningful community engagement efforts throughout the project lifecycle.

Program Contact Information

• Email: BUILDgrants@dot.gov
• Website: transportation.gov/BUILDgrants
• Valid Eval Support: support@valideval.com

How Avila Can Help

Preparing a competitive BUILD grant application requires significant time and expertise. From analyzing the 51-page Notice of Funding Opportunity to developing compelling narratives that address all eight merit criteria, the process can be overwhelming for municipal staff already managing multiple responsibilities.

Avila's AI-powered platform helps local governments streamline the grant application process by:

• Analyzing NOFOs to identify key requirements and evaluation criteria
• Helping draft narratives that align with scoring rubrics
• Tracking deadlines and compliance requirements
• Managing the complete grant lifecycle from discovery to closeout

Ready to explore how Avila can support your BUILD grant application? Book a demo to learn more about our platform.

For more information on federal grant applications, see our guides on federal grant writing, SAM.gov registration, and Grants.gov registration.