Opportunity Information: Apply for FR CRS 18 004
The FY18 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). It is designed to help pay for capital rail projects that strengthen the nation s passenger and freight rail network, with an emphasis on improving safety, operational efficiency, and overall reliability. In practical terms, the program is aimed at investments that reduce risk, modernize rail infrastructure, and make rail service perform better for both passengers and shippers.
A notable feature of this funding round is that a dedicated portion of the money is reserved for specific national priorities set by Congress and the authorizing statute. At least $35,547,000 is set aside for projects that help initiate or restore intercity passenger rail service, which can include activities that bring back discontinued routes or launch new corridors where service is not currently available. In addition, at least 25 percent of the CRISI funding made available in the FY2018 appropriation (including amounts available under this notice of funding opportunity and the related CRISI Positive Train Control notice) must be awarded to rural projects, consistent with 49 U.S.C. 24407(g). That rural set aside is intended to ensure that smaller communities and less densely populated regions receive a meaningful share of rail investment rather than having funding concentrate only in major metropolitan areas.
This opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number FR CRS 18 004 and is categorized as a discretionary program, meaning proposals compete against one another and awards are made based on merit and program priorities rather than a formula distribution. The funding instrument type is a cooperative agreement, which generally signals that the federal agency expects to have substantial involvement during project execution compared with a standard grant, often through oversight, technical coordination, or participation in key implementation decisions.
Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, and city or township governments, along with other entities as described in the program s additional eligibility guidance. The program is tied to CFDA number 20.325, identifying it within the federal assistance catalog for transportation related funding. For FY18, the notice anticipated around 30 awards, with an overall award ceiling listed as $318,430,337. The announcement was created on July 19, 2018, with an original application deadline of September 17, 2018.
Overall, the FY18 CRISI Program is structured to fund impactful, construction ready or implementation focused rail capital improvements that measurably enhance rail safety and performance, while also carving out funding to support both rural communities and the return or launch of intercity passenger rail service.Apply for FR CRS 18 004
- The Department of Transportation, DOT/Federal Railroad Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY18 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.325.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 19, 2018.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Sep 17, 2018 No Explanation. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $318,430,337.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 30 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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FY18 CRISI Program (FR-CRS-18-004) FAQs
What is the FY18 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program?
The FY18 CRISI Program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). It is intended to help pay for capital rail projects that strengthen the nation's passenger and freight rail network, with an emphasis on improving safety, operational efficiency, and overall reliability.
What kinds of projects is CRISI designed to support?
CRISI is aimed at capital rail projects that reduce risk, modernize rail infrastructure, and improve how rail service performs for both passengers and shippers. The program focuses on projects that measurably enhance rail safety and performance and that are construction-ready or implementation-focused.
What does it mean that this is a "discretionary" grant program?
Discretionary means applications compete against one another. Awards are made based on merit and program priorities rather than being distributed by a formula.
Which federal agency administers this funding opportunity?
The program is administered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), which is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this notice?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FR-CRS-18-004.
What is the CFDA number associated with this program?
The program is tied to CFDA number 20.325.
What is the funding instrument type for awards under this opportunity?
The funding instrument type is a cooperative agreement.
How is a cooperative agreement different from a standard grant (based on this notice)?
This notice describes a cooperative agreement as an instrument where the federal agency expects substantial involvement during project execution compared with a standard grant, often through oversight, technical coordination, or participation in key implementation decisions.
Who is eligible to apply for FY18 CRISI funding?
Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, and city or township governments, along with other entities as described in the program's additional eligibility guidance.
Is any funding reserved for initiating or restoring intercity passenger rail service?
Yes. At least $35,547,000 is set aside for projects that help initiate or restore intercity passenger rail service. This can include activities that bring back discontinued routes or launch new corridors where service is not currently available.
What qualifies as initiating or restoring intercity passenger rail service under this notice?
The notice indicates this set-aside can support activities that bring back discontinued intercity passenger routes or launch new intercity passenger corridors where service is not currently available.
Is there a rural funding set-aside?
Yes. At least 25 percent of the CRISI funding made available in the FY2018 appropriation (including amounts available under this notice of funding opportunity and the related CRISI Positive Train Control notice) must be awarded to rural projects, consistent with 49 U.S.C. 24407(g).
How is the rural set-aside calculated in this funding round?
The notice states that at least 25 percent of CRISI funding made available in the FY2018 appropriation must go to rural projects. It also clarifies that this calculation includes funds available under this notice and the related CRISI Positive Train Control notice.
Why does the program include a rural set-aside?
According to the notice, the rural set-aside is intended to ensure that smaller communities and less densely populated regions receive a meaningful share of rail investment, rather than funding concentrating only in major metropolitan areas.
About how many awards were expected to be made under the FY18 notice?
For FY18, the notice anticipated around 30 awards.
What is the overall award ceiling listed for this funding opportunity?
The overall award ceiling listed in the notice is $318,430,337.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The announcement was created on July 19, 2018.
What was the original application deadline?
The original application deadline was September 17, 2018.
What are the main policy goals emphasized in the FY18 CRISI description?
The description emphasizes improving safety, operational efficiency, and overall reliability across the passenger and freight rail network. It also highlights national priorities to support intercity passenger rail initiation/restoration and to ensure a meaningful share of funding goes to rural projects.
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| FY18 Transportation Emergency Response Training Apply for FR SEC 18 001 Funding Number: FR SEC 18 001 Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT/Federal Railroad Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $100,000 |
| FY17 & 18 Special Transportation Circumstances Projects (AK,SD,WY) Apply for FR CRS 18 005 Funding Number: FR CRS 18 005 Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT/Federal Railroad Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $19,783,393 |
| National Cooperative Highway Research Program Apply for 693JJ318NF00012 Funding Number: 693JJ318NF00012 Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT Federal Highway Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $230,000,000 |
| FY18 Washington Union Station Track 22 Rehabilitation Apply for FR AMT 18 011 Funding Number: FR AMT 18 011 Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT/Federal Railroad Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $19,037,038 |
| National Summer Transportation Institute Apply for 693JJ318NF HIN Funding Number: 693JJ318NF HIN Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT Federal Highway Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $118,000 |
| FY18 South Lander Grade Separation and Railroad Safety Project Apply for FR INF 18 001 Funding Number: FR INF 18 001 Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT/Federal Railroad Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $12,594,692 |
| Solicitation of Project Proposals for the National Center for Mobility Management Apply for FTA 2018 005 TPM NCMM Funding Number: FTA 2018 005 TPM NCMM Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT/Federal Transit Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $1,900,000 |
| Operate, Maintain, and Enhance Acadia National Park’s Alternative Transportation System Apply for NPS 18 NERO 0175 Funding Number: NPS 18 NERO 0175 Agency: Department of the Interior, National Park Service Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $4,887,335 |
| Competitive Highway Bridge Program Apply for 693JJ318NF HIBS Funding Number: 693JJ318NF HIBS Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT Federal Highway Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $225,000,000 |
| FY18 Positive Train Control (PTC) Systems Grants under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program Apply for FR CRS 18 006 Funding Number: FR CRS 18 006 Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT/Federal Railroad Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $46,301,702 |
| Access and Mobility Partnership Grants; ICAM Pilot Apply for FTA 2018 002 ICAM Funding Number: FTA 2018 002 ICAM Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT/Federal Transit Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Access and Mobility Partnership Grants; Human Services Coordination Research (HSCR) Apply for FTA 2018 006 HSCR Funding Number: FTA 2018 006 HSCR Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT/Federal Transit Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Ponca Tribe Airport Road Project Apply for A18AC00052 Funding Number: A18AC00052 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $90,000 |
| Otoe-Missouria Propane Tank Road Apply for A18AC00051 Funding Number: A18AC00051 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $1,100,000 |
| UTC Program Solicitation for Two National UTCs Apply for UTCNATIONALCOMP2018 Funding Number: UTCNATIONALCOMP2018 Agency: Department of Transportation Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $7,500,000 |
| FY18 Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Operations Advisory Commission Apply for FR AMT 18 012 Funding Number: FR AMT 18 012 Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT/Federal Railroad Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $4,165,450 |
| FY19-Supplemental for Northeast Corridor Grant to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation Apply for FR AMT 19 003 Funding Number: FR AMT 19 003 Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT/Federal Railroad Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $123,087,650 |
| FY19-Supplemental for National Network Grant to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation Apply for FR AMT 19 004 Funding Number: FR AMT 19 004 Agency: Department of Transportation, DOT/Federal Railroad Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $246,106,636 |
| Indian Highway Safety Lifesavers Conference Grant Apply for BIA IHSP 2018 0004 Funding Number: BIA IHSP 2018 0004 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs Category: Transportation Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Indian Highway Safety Law Enforcement Grants Apply for BIA IHSP 2019 0005 Funding Number: BIA IHSP 2019 0005 Agency: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs Category: Transportation Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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