Opportunity Information: Apply for NIPA 23 24 MEGA
The Mega Grants opportunity is part of the U.S. Department of Transportation's push, under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, to move more large, ready-to-advance transportation projects from planning into construction. DOT is packaging this funding through a combined Multimodal Projects Discretionary Grant (MPDG) approach, which rolls multiple major discretionary programs into one application framework. The idea is to cut down on application burden for state and local governments while building a stronger pipeline of "shovel-worthy" projects. In practical terms, the program is aimed at investments that can create well-paid jobs, strengthen economic growth, reduce transportation-related emissions, improve safety, increase system resilience, and expand transportation options, especially in rural areas and communities that have historically been underserved. DOT also frames these investments as a way to strengthen supply chains and reduce costs that ultimately affect American households.
At the center of this specific opportunity is the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (MEGA) program, which was created specifically because some infrastructure projects are simply too large, too expensive, or too complex to fit neatly into traditional transportation funding programs. MEGA is designed to fund major, high-impact projects that matter at a national or regional scale, especially those that span multiple jurisdictions (for example, crossing city or county lines) or function as part of a larger regional network. Another key feature is that projects can be multimodal, meaning they can involve more than one type of transportation system. Eligible project types are broad and include highways and major roadway improvements, bridges, freight and goods movement projects, ports, passenger rail, and related public transportation infrastructure that rises to the level of national or regional significance.
A major defining feature of MEGA is the scale of projects it targets. DOT expects to split the program's funding roughly into two tiers based on total project cost: about half of the funding is intended for projects with costs greater than $500 million, and about half is intended for projects costing more than $100 million but less than $500 million. This structure signals that the program is specifically aimed at big-ticket capital projects, not smaller standalone improvements. The opportunity listing also shows a very high potential maximum award size (an award ceiling of up to $1 billion), reinforcing that MEGA is built for unusually large infrastructure needs.
Eligibility is also intentionally broad so that different types of public entities can apply or partner depending on how a project is structured. Eligible applicants include a state or group of states; metropolitan planning organizations; local governments; political subdivisions of a state; special purpose districts or public authorities with transportation functions (including port authorities); Tribal governments or consortia of Tribal governments; partnerships between Amtrak and one or more eligible public entities; and groups or coalitions made up of any of the eligible entity types. U.S. territories are explicitly eligible as well, which matters for major port, aviation-adjacent ground access, and freight projects in territorial jurisdictions.
From the source details provided, this is a discretionary grant (meaning awards are competitive rather than formula-based), offered as a grant funding instrument, administered by DOT (Agency code 69A345, Office of the Under Secretary for Policy). The opportunity number is NIPA 23 24 MEGA, it was created on June 26, 2023, and it listed an original closing date of August 21, 2023. DOT also points applicants to prior-year selections as a reference point, with FY22 award information available on the DOT MEGA grant program page, which can be useful for understanding the kinds of projects that have been competitive and the typical scope of funded work.Apply for NIPA 23 24 MEGA
- The 69A345 Office of the Under Secretary for Policy in the iij sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Mega Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.937.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2023-06-26.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-08-21. (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 $1,000,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Mega Grants (MEGA / MPDG) FAQ
What is the Mega Grants opportunity?
The Mega Grants opportunity is a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) discretionary grant initiative, advanced under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, intended to move large, ready-to-advance transportation projects from planning into construction.
How does this opportunity relate to the Multimodal Projects Discretionary Grant (MPDG) approach?
DOT is packaging the funding using a combined Multimodal Projects Discretionary Grant (MPDG) approach that rolls multiple major discretionary programs into a single application framework. The stated goal is to reduce application burden for state and local governments and build a stronger pipeline of projects that are ready to advance.
What is the National Infrastructure Project Assistance (MEGA) program?
The National Infrastructure Project Assistance (MEGA) program is the centerpiece program described for this opportunity. It was created because some infrastructure projects are too large, too expensive, or too complex to fit neatly into traditional transportation funding programs. MEGA is designed to fund major, high-impact projects of national or regional significance.
What kinds of outcomes is DOT trying to achieve with these investments?
DOT describes the program as targeting investments that can create well-paid jobs, strengthen economic growth, reduce transportation-related emissions, improve safety, increase system resilience, and expand transportation options. DOT also emphasizes rural areas and communities that have historically been underserved, and frames these investments as supporting supply chain strength and reducing costs that affect American households.
What does DOT mean by "large, ready-to-advance" projects?
Based on the description provided, the program focus is on large capital transportation projects positioned to move from planning into construction, rather than smaller standalone improvements. The size thresholds and very high award ceiling reinforce the emphasis on major projects.
Are projects required to be multi-jurisdictional or part of a network?
MEGA is particularly aimed at projects that matter at a national or regional scale, including projects that span multiple jurisdictions (such as crossing city or county lines) or function as part of a larger regional network. The description highlights these as key features of the program focus.
Are multimodal projects eligible?
Yes. A key feature noted is that projects can be multimodal, meaning they may involve more than one type of transportation system.
What types of transportation projects are eligible under MEGA?
The eligible project types are described as broad and include highways and major roadway improvements, bridges, freight and goods movement projects, ports, passenger rail, and related public transportation infrastructure that rises to the level of national or regional significance.
Is MEGA intended for smaller local improvements?
The structure described signals the program is aimed at big-ticket capital projects, not smaller standalone improvements. DOT expects to split funding into tiers based on total project cost starting above $100 million.
How large do projects need to be to fit the program's expected funding tiers?
DOT expects to split funding roughly into two tiers based on total project cost: about half of the funding is intended for projects with costs greater than $500 million, and about half is intended for projects costing more than $100 million but less than $500 million.
What is the maximum possible award size?
The opportunity listing shows an award ceiling of up to $1 billion, indicating the program is built to support unusually large infrastructure needs.
Who can apply for MEGA funding?
Eligible applicants include: a state or group of states; metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs); local governments; political subdivisions of a state; special purpose districts or public authorities with transportation functions (including port authorities); Tribal governments or consortia of Tribal governments; partnerships between Amtrak and one or more eligible public entities; and groups or coalitions made up of any of the eligible entity types.
Can multiple entities apply together as a coalition?
Yes. The eligibility list explicitly includes groups or coalitions made up of any of the eligible entity types.
Are Tribal governments eligible?
Yes. Tribal governments and consortia of Tribal governments are explicitly included as eligible applicants.
Can Amtrak be involved as an applicant?
Yes. Partnerships between Amtrak and one or more eligible public entities are listed as eligible applicants.
Are U.S. territories eligible to apply?
Yes. U.S. territories are explicitly eligible, which can be especially relevant for major projects in territorial jurisdictions, including ports and freight-related investments.
Is this funding competitive or formula-based?
This is a discretionary grant, meaning awards are competitive rather than distributed by formula.
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
Which federal agency administers this opportunity?
The opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), with agency code 69A345, Office of the Under Secretary for Policy.
What is the opportunity number?
The opportunity number provided is NIPA 23 24 MEGA.
When was this opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on June 26, 2023.
What was the listed closing date?
The original closing date listed was August 21, 2023.
Where can applicants look for examples of previously selected projects?
DOT points applicants to prior-year selections as a reference point, with FY22 award information available on the DOT MEGA grant program page. This is described as useful for understanding what kinds of projects have been competitive and the typical scope of funded work.
How does DOT describe the broader purpose of this funding approach?
DOT describes the combined approach as a way to reduce application burden and create a stronger pipeline of "shovel-worthy" projects, while advancing outcomes such as jobs, economic growth, emissions reduction, safety, resilience, expanded transportation options, supply chain strength, and reduced household cost pressures.
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