FYs 2023 through 2026 (Year Two through Year Five) National Culvert Removal, Replacement and Restoration Grant Program (Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage (Culvert AOP) Program) | 693JJ324NF00025

Opportunity Information: Apply for 693JJ324NF00025

The FYs 2023 through 2026 National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant Program, referred to in the notice as the Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) Program, is a discretionary, multi-year grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). It is funded under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), commonly called the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), and is designed to support on-the-ground projects that remove, replace, or repair culverts and certain weirs that block or severely limit the movement of anadromous fish. The core idea is straightforward: many road-stream crossings and related structures create physical or hydraulic barriers that prevent fish from reaching spawning and rearing habitat, and this program helps pay to fix those barriers in a way that meaningfully improves or restores passage.

The main objective is specifically tied to anadromous fish passage, meaning fish that migrate from the ocean into freshwater to spawn. Projects funded under this program must therefore be framed around measurable improvements to fish passage outcomes, not just general roadway upgrades. The program focuses on culverts and weirs that have a transportation nexus and function as barriers. For weirs, eligible work can include adding or improving infrastructure that helps fish pass around or over the weir, along with other weir improvements. The notice also clarifies an important definition: a weir is a constructed barrier used for hydraulic control that does not completely stop flow or create a large storage impoundment, and dams are not considered weirs for purposes of this program.

Funding is substantial and structured across multiple fiscal years. The BIL provides $200 million per year for FY 2022 through FY 2026 for this program, with USDOT indicating it intends to use $4 million annually for administration as allowed by statute, leaving $196 million per year available for awards. This particular NOFO covers FY 2023 through FY 2026 (Years Two through Five) and anticipates distributing up to $784 million across those four years, plus any unobligated funds that may remain from FY 2022. The notice emphasizes that actual award totals remain subject to the availability of funds. The opportunity listing also provides an award ceiling of $196,000,000 (reflecting the annual amount available for a fiscal year) and an estimated 60 awards.

Eligibility is limited to public-sector applicants: States, units of local government, and Indian Tribes as defined under the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (including eligible Alaska Native villages and regional or village corporations under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act). The program allows joint applications from multiple eligible entities, which can be useful when a barrier spans jurisdictions or when a smaller entity wants to partner with a more experienced grant recipient. Joint applications must name a Lead Applicant as the primary contact and primary recipient, and they should clearly describe the roles and responsibilities of each participating applicant. The NOFO also notes, as practical advice, that applicants unfamiliar with USDOT grant compliance may benefit from partnering with an entity that already has experience managing federal transportation grants, which can reduce delays when it comes time to set up agreements and meet federal grant administration requirements.

The cost-share rules differ by applicant type. For States and units of local government, the federal share is 80 percent, which means a 20 percent non-federal match is required. For Indian Tribes, the federal share can be 100 percent, meaning no match is required. That distinction is significant for project planning because it affects how applicants build their financing packages and schedule their local or state contributions.

This NOFO is set up as a multi-year opportunity with distinct opening dates and deadlines for each fiscal year of funding covered. For FY 2023 funds, the application window opens Tuesday, June 25, 2024, with a deadline of Monday, September 23, 2024. For FY 2024 funds, the opening is Monday, June 23, 2025, with a deadline of Monday, August 25, 2025. For FY 2025 funds, the opening is Monday, June 22, 2026, with a deadline of Monday, August 24, 2026. For FY 2026 funds, the opening is Monday, June 21, 2027, with a deadline of Monday, August 23, 2027. FHWA and USDOT also planned an informational webinar for applicants on Monday, July 15, 2024 at 1:00 PM Eastern to walk through how to apply and what the agency is looking for.

In practical terms, the projects that fit best are those where a culvert or qualifying weir is clearly blocking fish movement and where the proposed action (removal, replacement, or repair, and potentially associated fish passage features for weirs) will produce a meaningful passage improvement. Because the program is administered through FHWA and is categorized under transportation (CFDA 20.205), applicants should expect typical federal transportation grant expectations around project definition, permitting and environmental compliance, and clear documentation that ties the structure to a transportation facility while demonstrating the ecological benefit of restored passage. For full submission and selection requirements, applicants are directed to the full NOFO text in the related documents, since the summary information is not meant to replace the official guidance.

• The DOT Federal Highway Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FYs 2023 through 2026 (Year Two through Year Five) National Culvert Removal, Replacement and Restoration Grant Program (Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage (Culvert AOP) Program)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.205.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-06-25.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-09-23. (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 $196,000,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 60 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

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