DOT BUILD Grants (formerly RAISE) — Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development
U.S. Department of Transportation
Up to $25,000,000
Federal infrastructure grants that unlock business investment in transportation corridors
The BUILD grant program (renamed from RAISE effective FY2026; formerly BUILD/TIGER) funds transformative surface transportation infrastructure projects: roads, bridges, rail, ports, transit, and multimodal facilities. Awards go to states, cities, counties, and tribal governments, not to private businesses. However, small logistics, trucking, port services, and transportation businesses benefit directly when nearby BUILD-funded infrastructure is improved. FY2026 NOFO was open February 2026; FY2026 applications closed February 24, 2026. FY2027 NOFO expected late 2026 — monitor transportation.gov/BUILDgrants.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Federal
- Amount range
- $1,000,000 – $25,000,000
- Realistic amount
- Median RAISE award is approximately $8M–$12M. Rural projects average $5M–$15M. Urban awards tend to cluster near the $20…
- Deadline
- FY2026 applications closed February 24, 2026. FY2027 NOFO expected late 2026 — monitor transportation.gov/BUILDgrants and grants.gov CFDA 20.933.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- Eligible applicants: states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, tribal governments, port authorities, transit agencies, metropolitan planning organizations, and local governments
- For-profit businesses are NOT eligible to apply directly
- Project must be a surface transportation infrastructure investment (road, bridge, rail, port, transit, or multimodal)
- Project must demonstrate significant national or regional impact and be in advanced readiness for construction (environmental clearance, final design, or right-of-way in place is preferred)
- No minimum project size, but grants range from $1M–$25M; very small projects (under $1M) are typically funded through other DOT programs
- No non-federal match required, though RAISE applications with committed local match are more competitive
Hard requirements
- Funds intermediaries, not businesses directly
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Construction of roads, bridges, interchanges, and grade crossings
- Port and waterway infrastructure improvements
- Rail and freight rail facilities
- Multimodal and intermodal transportation facilities
- Transit and bus rapid transit infrastructure
- Planning, engineering, and environmental review costs (up to 30% of award)
- Transportation-related workforce development programs (some programs)
Ineligible expenses
- Operating and maintenance costs (construction/capital only)
- Private business facilities not open to the public as a transportation facility
- Research not tied to a specific eligible transportation project
- Lobbying
How to apply
-
1
Identify a transportation project with RAISE eligibility
For SMBs: Identify if a local government or port authority near your facility has an infrastructure need that could benefit your business. Advocate to local officials for a RAISE application. For government entities: identify a transformative project ready for construction or advanced design.
~5 hrs
-
2
Assess project readiness and benefit-cost analysis
RAISE requires a benefit-cost analysis demonstrating economic and community benefits relative to project cost. Projects with completed environmental review (NEPA), preliminary engineering, and committed right-of-way score higher on readiness. BCA methodology must follow DOT guidance.
~40 hrs
-
3
Prepare full application narrative
Application addresses DOT evaluation criteria: merit criteria (safety, environmental sustainability, equity, quality of life, economic competitiveness) and selection criteria (merit, cost effectiveness, innovation, partnership, readiness). Narrative length typically 20–30 pages.
~40 hrs
-
4
Submit via grants.gov before NOFO deadline
Submit complete application through grants.gov before the stated deadline (typically late March–April). DOT does not accept late submissions. Confirm active SAM.gov registration well in advance.
~4 hrs
Projects with completed NEPA review, committed right-of-way, and local match dramatically improve odds. SMBs should advocate to their city/county to apply on behalf of shared transportation infrastructure — port entrances, industrial access roads, and intermodal facilities are strong RAISE candidates.
Deadline & timing
The program was renamed from RAISE to BUILD (Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development) effective FY2026. DOT issues one NOFO per fiscal year; FY2026 NOFO posted February 2026 with applications due February 24, 2026. FY2027 competition expected to open late 2026 or early 2027. Letters of interest or pre-applications are not required — submit a full application by the posted deadline via grants.gov.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.