Notice

PennDOT (PROTECT) Grant Alert

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is highlighting the Promoting Resilient Operations
for Transformative, Efficient and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) competitive grant program, which offers up to $787 million total across FYs 2024–2026 to make surface transportation infrastructure more resilient against severe weather, flooding, wildfires, extreme temperatures, and other natural disasters.

• Funding covers four main project types:

  • Planning Grants: $100K–$10M award range; 100% Federal share (no cost match required).

  • Resilience Improvement Grants: $500K–$60M award range; up to 80% Federal share.

  • Community Resilience & Evacuation Routes: $500K–$60M award range; up to 80% Federal share.

  • At-Risk Coastal Infrastructure: $500K–$60M award range; up to 80% Federal share for eligible coastal states/entities. (Note: Non-Federal share requirements for Resilience grants can be reduced by up to 10% for incorporating/prioritizing projects in a Resilience Improvement Plan, or covered up to 100% for Tribal governments and select U.S. Territories).

• Updated Rules & Re-application: This round covers a single combined application period for FY 2024–2026 funds. Applicants must use newly required NOFO templates, and anyone who submitted under the previous October 2024 NOFO is required to re-apply using these new templates to be considered.

• Important Deadlines:

  • PennDOT Support Request Deadline: September 25, 2026 (PennDOT can assist with data, subject matter expertise, and letters of support for regional proposals).

  • Final Application Submission: October 9, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST (Grants.gov registration takes 2–4 weeks and must be completed prior to submission).

  • Award Announcements: Expected the week of December 7, 2026, with performance periods lasting 1 to 4 years.

• Eligible Applicants: States, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), local governments, public transit or port authorities, Tribal governments, and joint Federal land management agency applications.