The PROTECT Competitive Grant Program is designed to fund projects that make transportation systems like highways, public transit, and railways more resilient to challenges like climate change and natural disasters. The goal is to ensure these systems can continue operating or recover quickly after disruptions. The program has up to $787 million available from 2024 to 2026, with individual awards ranging from $1 to $60 million.
Who it's for: This grant is for special district governments, private colleges and universities, county governments, state governments, and city or township governments that are interested in improving the resilience of transportation systems.
More details
Likely Disqualifiers
- Not being one of the eligible government or educational entities
- Proposing a project outside the scope of surface transportation resilience
- Failure to provide required cost-sharing or matching funds
- Incomplete application submission
- Missing the application deadline
What You May Need
- Detailed project proposal
- Proof of eligibility
- Cost-sharing or matching funds documentation
- Financial statements
- Letters of support or partnership agreements
- Environmental impact assessments
- Project timeline and milestones
- Budget plan
- Risk management plan
- Registration on Grants.gov
Cautions
- Cost-sharing is required, so ensure you have matching funds available.
- Projects must align with the goal of improving transportation resilience.
- Ensure all parts of the application are complete and submitted on time.
- Verify eligibility before applying.
Generated from official source details for readability
Eligibility
Eligible Applicant Types
Additional Criteria
Eligible applicants include special district governments, which are independent, special-purpose governmental units; private institutions of higher education, which are privately funded colleges and universities; county governments, which are the administrative divisions within a state; state governments, which are the governing bodies of each U.S. state; and city or township governments, which are the local government entities for cities or towns.
Overview
This grant is for special district governments, private colleges and universities, county governments, state governments, and city or township governments that are interested in improving the resilience of transportation systems.
Likely Disqualifiers
- Not being one of the eligible government or educational entities
- Proposing a project outside the scope of surface transportation resilience
- Failure to provide required cost-sharing or matching funds
- Incomplete application submission
- Missing the application deadline
Use of Funds
Funds can be used to enhance the resilience of surface transportation systems, including highways, public transportation, ports, and railways. This includes projects that protect infrastructure from natural disasters, improve recovery times, and strengthen coastal and natural infrastructure related to transportation.
Total Program Funding
$787,000,000
Expected Awards
80
Cost Sharing
Required
Important Dates
- Posted
- Aug 27, 2026
- Deadline
- Oct 9, 2026(42 days)
- Archive Date
- Nov 8, 2026
Application Checklist
- Register on Grants.gov
- Verify eligibility as a government or educational entity
- Prepare a detailed project proposal focused on transportation resilience
- Gather documentation for cost-sharing or matching funds
- Compile financial statements and budget plan
- Obtain letters of support or partnership agreements
- Conduct environmental impact assessments if necessary
- Develop a project timeline with clear milestones
- Draft a risk management plan
- Submit complete application by October 9, 2026