Opportunity Information: Apply for FR CRS 26 001
The FY25-26 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant Program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), focused on funding projects that strengthen the nation s rail system. The core purpose of the program is to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of both intercity passenger rail and freight rail. In practical terms, the program is aimed at investments that reduce risk, improve performance, and make rail networks function better for passengers, shippers, and communities that depend on rail service.
This opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Title "FY25-26 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant Program" with Funding Opportunity Number "FR CRS 26 001." The award mechanism is a grant, and the opportunity category is discretionary, meaning funding is awarded competitively rather than by formula. It falls under the Transportation activity category and is associated with CFDA (Assistance Listing) number 20.337. The Federal Railroad Administration is the sponsoring agency, reflecting that the program is rail-specific and aligned with FRA priorities around infrastructure condition, operational improvements, and safety outcomes.
The applicant pool is intentionally broad, covering public sector entities, rail industry participants, research institutions, and certain nonprofit organizations tied to the rail workforce and rail research. Eligible applicants include States (including the District of Columbia), groups of States, and interstate compacts, as well as public agencies or publicly chartered authorities established by one or more States. Political subdivisions of a State, such as counties, cities, townships, and special districts, are also eligible. On the rail operator side, Amtrak and other rail carriers that provide intercity rail passenger transportation are eligible, along with Class II and Class III railroads and their holding companies. Associations representing one or more of those Class II or Class III railroads may apply as well. Federally recognized Indian Tribes are eligible applicants, reflecting the program s ability to support rail improvements that affect Tribal lands or serve Tribal communities.
The program also allows participation from private sector and research-oriented organizations, but in some cases eligibility depends on partnership structure. Specifically, any rail carrier or rail equipment manufacturer may apply when partnering with at least one of the public-sector entities described above (States, groups of States, interstate compacts, state-created public authorities, or political subdivisions). In addition, rail research organizations are included: the Transportation Research Board (and any entity it contracts with in developing rail-related research, including cooperative research programs) is eligible, as are university transportation centers engaged in rail-related research. A non-profit labor organization representing a class or craft of employees of rail carriers or rail carrier contractors is also eligible, which creates a pathway for workforce-centered safety and performance initiatives tied to rail operations.
From the posted opportunity details, the application deadline is listed as June 22, 2026. The award ceiling shown is 2,039,246,480, indicating very large potential maximum funding per award as presented in the source data. The opportunity anticipates approximately 130 awards. The posting creation date is April 20, 2026. Taken together, these figures suggest a large, nationally significant competition with a sizable number of selected projects, spanning many types of rail improvements and applicant organizations.
Overall, CRISI is positioned as a flexible rail investment tool: it supports improvements to infrastructure and related initiatives that measurably enhance safety and operational performance across both passenger and freight rail. The eligible applicant list and the inclusion of partnership options indicate FRA s intent to fund a wide range of projects, from public infrastructure upgrades led by governments to industry and research efforts that can demonstrate clear benefits to the intercity passenger and freight rail system.Apply for FR CRS 26 001
- The DOT - Federal Railroad Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY25-26 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.337.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-04-20.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-22. (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 $2,039,246,480.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 130 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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FY25-26 CRISI Grant Program FAQs
What is the FY25-26 CRISI Grant Program?
The FY25-26 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant Program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). It funds projects intended to strengthen the nation s rail system.
What is the main purpose of the CRISI program?
The core purpose is to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of both intercity passenger rail and freight rail. The program targets investments that reduce risk, improve performance, and help rail networks function better for passengers, shippers, and communities that depend on rail service.
Is this a competitive grant or formula funding?
This is a discretionary opportunity, meaning awards are made competitively rather than by formula.
Who administers this grant opportunity?
The program is sponsored and administered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
What is the official funding opportunity title?
The official title is "FY25-26 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant Program."
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is FR CRS 26 001.
What type of award is being offered?
The award mechanism is a grant.
What activity category does this opportunity fall under?
The opportunity is listed under the Transportation activity category.
What is the CFDA (Assistance Listing) number for this program?
The CFDA (Assistance Listing) number associated with this opportunity is 20.337.
What kinds of rail projects does CRISI support?
Based on the posted description, CRISI supports projects and related initiatives that measurably enhance safety and operational performance across both intercity passenger and freight rail. It is positioned as a flexible rail investment tool aligned with FRA priorities around infrastructure condition, operational improvements, and safety outcomes.
When is the application deadline?
The application deadline listed for this opportunity is June 22, 2026.
When was this opportunity posted?
The posting creation date is April 20, 2026.
How many awards are anticipated?
The opportunity anticipates approximately 130 awards.
What is the award ceiling?
The award ceiling shown in the posted details is 2,039,246,480. This indicates a very large potential maximum funding per award as presented in the source data.
Which government entities are eligible to apply?
Eligible public-sector applicants include States (including the District of Columbia), groups of States, interstate compacts, public agencies or publicly chartered authorities established by one or more States, and political subdivisions of a State such as counties, cities, townships, and special districts.
Are Tribal governments eligible to apply?
Yes. Federally recognized Indian Tribes are eligible applicants.
Is Amtrak eligible to apply?
Yes. Amtrak is listed as an eligible applicant.
Are other intercity passenger rail carriers eligible?
Yes. Other rail carriers that provide intercity rail passenger transportation are eligible.
Are freight railroads eligible, including short line and regional railroads?
Yes. Class II and Class III railroads and their holding companies are eligible.
Can associations representing Class II or Class III railroads apply?
Yes. Associations representing one or more Class II or Class III railroads may apply.
Can a rail carrier or rail equipment manufacturer apply?
Yes, but eligibility is tied to partnership structure. Any rail carrier or rail equipment manufacturer may apply when partnering with at least one eligible public-sector entity (States, groups of States, interstate compacts, state-created public authorities, or political subdivisions).
What partnership is required for rail carriers or rail equipment manufacturers to be eligible?
The posted description specifies that a rail carrier or rail equipment manufacturer must partner with at least one eligible public-sector entity (such as a State, group of States, interstate compact, state-created public authority, or political subdivision) in order to apply under this pathway.
Are rail research organizations eligible to apply?
Yes. The Transportation Research Board (and any entity it contracts with in developing rail-related research, including cooperative research programs) is eligible. University transportation centers engaged in rail-related research are also eligible.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible to apply?
Some nonprofit participation is explicitly included. A non-profit labor organization representing a class or craft of employees of rail carriers or rail carrier contractors is eligible, creating a pathway for workforce-centered safety and performance initiatives tied to rail operations.
Does the program cover both passenger and freight rail?
Yes. The stated program purpose includes improving safety, efficiency, and reliability for both intercity passenger rail and freight rail.
What benefits should proposed projects aim to demonstrate?
Based on the description provided, projects should be positioned to reduce risk, improve performance, and measurably enhance safety and operational performance, contributing to a stronger rail system for passengers, shippers, and communities.
What does it mean that CRISI is described as a flexible rail investment tool?
It means the program is intended to support a wide range of rail improvements and related initiatives, from public infrastructure upgrades led by governments to industry and research efforts, as long as they align with FRA priorities and demonstrate clear safety and performance benefits for intercity passenger and freight rail.
Which rail-system priorities are highlighted for this opportunity?
The posted description emphasizes alignment with FRA priorities around infrastructure condition, operational improvements, and safety outcomes.
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Apply for FR CRS 26 001
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (FR CRS 26 001) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| FY25-26 Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program for projects located on the Northeast Corridor (Partnership-NEC) Apply for FR FSP 26 001 Funding Number: FR FSP 26 001 Agency: DOT - Federal Railroad Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $4,750,212,830 |
| FY24 Northeastern Pennsylvania Passenger Rail Restoration Proj Apply for FR CCD 24 020 Funding Number: FR CCD 24 020 Agency: DOT - Federal Railroad Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $1,596,279 |
| FY24 CRISI-CDS - San Diego At-grade Crossing Elimination Study (SD ACES) Apply for FR CCD 24 021 Funding Number: FR CCD 24 021 Agency: DOT - Federal Railroad Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| WMATA Transportation – Shuttle Services Route A90 Apply for HQ003426NFOEFCD01 Funding Number: HQ003426NFOEFCD01 Agency: Washington Headquarters Services Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $6,440,000 |
| FY25-26 Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program Apply for FR RCE 26 001 Funding Number: FR RCE 26 001 Agency: DOT - Federal Railroad Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: $1,146,528,000 |
| FY 2026 Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning Apply for FTA 2026 003 TPE TODP Funding Number: FTA 2026 003 TPE TODP Agency: DOT - Federal Transit Administration Category: Transportation Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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