NSFLTP Grant: $165M for Federal Lands and Tribal Transportation (FY 2026)

The Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects (NSFLTP) Program is making up to $165 million available for large, high-impact transportation projects on or providing access to federal and tribal lands. For tribal governments, states, counties, and local governments with a nationally significant project that has struggled to find funding at its full scale, NSFLTP is one of the few federal programs built specifically for that challenge.

What Is the NSFLTP Program?

The NSFLTP Program funds the construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of transportation facilities that are on, are adjacent to, or provide access to federal lands or tribal lands. The program is designed for projects that are too large or too complex to be funded through the regular Federal Lands and Tribal Transportation formula programs — the "nationally significant" projects that deliver outsized benefits but carry outsized price tags.

This NOFO awards up to $165 million across Fiscal Years 2024 through 2026, and FHWA may also award remaining funds from previous fiscal years under the same opportunity.

Who Can Apply?

Eligibility depends on which entity is leading the application:

• Tribal governments and Federal Land Management Agencies (FLMAs) may apply directly.
• States, counties, and units of local government may apply, but only if sponsored by an FLMA or a Tribal government.

If your state, county, or local government applies, your application must include a letter from your FLMA or Tribal sponsor verifying the sponsorship. That letter should specify the lead recipient for financial administration and describe the roles and responsibilities of both the sponsor and the applicant. A list of FLMA Sponsorship Coordinators is available through the NSFLTP program office.

The 50/50 Funding Split

By statute, the NSFLTP funds are divided evenly each fiscal year:

• 50% must be used for projects on Tribal transportation facilities; and
• 50% must be used for projects on Federal lands transportation facilities and Federal lands access transportation facilities.

Within the federal lands half, FHWA must award funding to at least one eligible project per fiscal year submitted by the National Park Service for a unit of the National Park System with at least three million annual visitors. Understanding which side of the split your project falls on helps you frame it correctly and gauge the competitive field.

What Projects Are Eligible?

NSFLTP funds construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation of nationally significant transportation facilities — roads, bridges, and related infrastructure — on, adjacent to, or providing access to federal or tribal lands. Because there is no minimum award and a $30 million ceiling, the program is oriented toward major projects with regional or national importance rather than routine maintenance.

Cost Share

The NSFLTP Program generally requires a non-federal match, though certain Tribal and federal lands projects may qualify for different treatment. The actual amount available is subject to the annual obligation limitation on the Federal-aid highway program. Confirm the exact federal share and any match exceptions in the current Notice of Funding Opportunity before building your budget.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through Grants.gov. Ensure your federal registrations are active well ahead of the deadline:

• An active SAM.gov registration
• A valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
• A Grants.gov account for your organization

Tips for a Competitive Application

1. Secure Your Sponsorship Early

If you are a state, county, or local government, lining up your FLMA or Tribal sponsor is the gating step. Engage your sponsor early, agree on the lead recipient and roles, and get the sponsorship letter in writing well before the deadline.

2. Make the Case for National Significance

The bar is "nationally significant." Document the project's scale, regional or national benefits, safety improvements, economic impact, and connection to federal or tribal lands. Quantify the outcomes wherever possible.

3. Demonstrate Readiness

Large projects carry delivery risk. Show progress on planning, design, environmental review, and any committed non-federal funding. A credible schedule and budget reduce perceived risk and strengthen your competitiveness.

4. Know Your Side of the Split

Clearly identify whether your project is on a Tribal transportation facility or a federal lands facility, and tailor your narrative to that category's priorities and eligible facility types.

Contact Information

• Program Website: highways.dot.gov — NSFLTP Program
• Grants.gov Support: support@grants.gov

How Avila Can Help

NSFLTP applications are demanding: they require a sponsorship relationship, a persuasive case for national significance, and the kind of project-readiness documentation that major discretionary grants expect. For tribal and local government staff managing complex projects, pulling that package together on deadline is a significant undertaking.

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

• Analyzing the NOFO to surface eligibility, the 50/50 split, and scoring criteria
• Helping draft narratives that articulate national significance and readiness
• Tracking deadlines, sponsorship requirements, and registrations
• Managing the full grant lifecycle from discovery to closeout

Ready to explore how Avila can support your NSFLTP application? Book a demo to learn more.

For more on federal grant applications, see our guides on federal grant writing, SAM.gov registration, and Grants.gov registration. For other infrastructure funding, explore our guides to the BIT3 Bridge Program and the Culvert AOP Program.