Opportunity Information: Apply for FHWA PPPP 26 001
The Prioritization Process Pilot Program (PPPP) Competitive Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), focused on improving how transportation projects are prioritized and selected. The program is being offered through a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and is tied to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Public Law 117-58, specifically Section 11204(c)(3). In practical terms, the grant is meant to help eligible public-sector transportation planning entities strengthen or modernize the processes they use to evaluate, rank, and prioritize transportation investments, using federal funds to cover the costs of those prioritization efforts.
Funding under this NOFO is expected to total up to $26 million across Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026, plus any remaining funds from Fiscal Year 2024 that are still available. The total amount ultimately awarded can change depending on congressional appropriations and the availability of funds, so the stated total is a cap rather than a guarantee. Grants are described as cost-reimbursable, meaning recipients generally must document eligible project costs and then seek reimbursement under the grant terms, rather than receiving a lump sum upfront.
A key feature of PPPP is its generous cost-share structure. The program allows a federal share of up to 100 percent for the prioritization project, meaning an applicant may be able to complete the proposed work without providing local matching funds. That said, the specific reimbursement mechanics and any conditions would be set by FHWA during award and grant administration.
Individual awards are capped at $2 million per grant, as established in the IIJA. The NOFO anticipates approximately 100 awards, suggesting FHWA expects to spread funding broadly across many recipients rather than concentrating it in a small number of large grants. The award ceiling is explicitly listed as $2,000,000, and the program is categorized as a discretionary transportation funding opportunity associated with IIJA funding streams. The assistance listing is identified with CFDA/Assistance Listings number 20.262.
Eligibility is aimed at public entities, with the source information listing eligible applicants as state governments and other eligible entities. The description specifically calls out metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) that serve a census-delineated urban area with a population over 200,000, indicating that larger-region MPOs are a primary target audience for this funding. In other words, this grant is particularly relevant for MPOs operating in major urbanized areas that need better tools, frameworks, data practices, or decision methods to prioritize transportation projects in a transparent, defensible way.
For reference and tracking, the opportunity title is "Prioritization Process Pilot Program (PPPP) Competitive Grant Program" and the funding opportunity number is "FHWA PPPP 26 001." The original application closing date is listed as October 30, 2026, and the record creation date is September 30, 2026.Apply for FHWA PPPP 26 001
- The DOT Federal Highway Administration in the iij, transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Prioritization Process Pilot Program (PPPP) Competitive Grant Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.262.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-09-30.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-10-30. (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 $2,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 100 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, Others.
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Prioritization Process Pilot Program (PPPP) Competitive Grant Program - FAQs
What is the Prioritization Process Pilot Program (PPPP) Competitive Grant Program?
The Prioritization Process Pilot Program (PPPP) Competitive Grant Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). It is focused on improving how transportation projects are prioritized and selected by funding efforts to strengthen or modernize project evaluation, ranking, and prioritization processes.
What is the main purpose of PPPP funding?
The main purpose is to help eligible public-sector transportation planning entities improve the processes they use to evaluate, rank, and prioritize transportation investments. The grant is intended to cover the costs of the prioritization effort itself (for example, improving methods, frameworks, or decision processes used to select projects).
Is PPPP a formula grant or a competitive/discretionary grant?
PPPP is a discretionary (competitive) grant opportunity offered through a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Which federal agency is offering this opportunity?
The opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA).
What law authorizes or ties to this program?
The opportunity is tied to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Public Law 117-58, specifically Section 11204(c)(3).
What is the total expected funding amount under this NOFO?
Funding is expected to total up to $26 million across Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026, plus any remaining funds from Fiscal Year 2024 that are still available. The stated amount is a cap rather than a guarantee and may change based on congressional appropriations and the availability of funds.
How are PPPP grants paid (upfront or reimbursement)?
Grants are described as cost-reimbursable. That means recipients generally need to document eligible project costs and then seek reimbursement under the grant terms, rather than receiving a lump sum upfront.
What is the maximum award amount for an individual grant?
Individual awards are capped at $2,000,000 per grant, as established in the IIJA. The NOFO explicitly lists the award ceiling as $2,000,000.
How many awards does FHWA expect to make?
The NOFO anticipates approximately 100 awards, which suggests FHWA expects to distribute funding broadly across many recipients.
What is the federal cost share for PPPP, and is a local match required?
The program allows a federal share of up to 100 percent for the prioritization project. This means an applicant may be able to complete the proposed work without providing local matching funds. Specific reimbursement mechanics and any conditions would be set by FHWA during award and grant administration.
Who is eligible to apply for PPPP?
Eligibility is aimed at public entities. The source information lists eligible applicants as state governments and other eligible entities. The description also specifically calls out metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) that serve a census-delineated urban area with a population over 200,000.
Are MPOs specifically targeted by this program?
Yes. The description specifically highlights MPOs serving a census-delineated urban area with a population over 200,000, indicating larger-region MPOs are a primary target audience for this funding.
What kinds of activities is PPPP intended to support?
Based on the description, PPPP is intended to support efforts that strengthen or modernize how transportation investments are evaluated, ranked, and prioritized. This includes improving prioritization processes used for selecting transportation projects in a transparent and defensible way.
Does PPPP fund transportation construction projects?
The information provided describes PPPP as funding the costs of prioritization efforts (how projects are evaluated, ranked, and selected), rather than construction. The focus is on improving the decision-making and prioritization process.
What is the Assistance Listings (CFDA) number for this opportunity?
The Assistance Listings (CFDA) number identified for this opportunity is 20.262.
What is the official funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is FHWA PPPP 26 001.
What is the official opportunity title?
The official opportunity title is "Prioritization Process Pilot Program (PPPP) Competitive Grant Program."
When is the application closing date?
The original application closing date is listed as October 30, 2026.
What is the record creation date for this opportunity listing?
The record creation date is listed as September 30, 2026.
Can the total amount awarded change from the amount stated in the NOFO?
Yes. The information provided states the total amount ultimately awarded can change depending on congressional appropriations and the availability of funds, so the stated total is a cap rather than a guarantee.
What does "cost-reimbursable" mean in the context of this grant?
In this context, cost-reimbursable means the grant generally reimburses the recipient for eligible costs after those costs are incurred and documented, rather than providing the entire award amount as an upfront payment.
Is the federal share always 100 percent?
The federal share is described as up to 100 percent. That indicates 100 percent federal share may be possible, but the specific reimbursement mechanics and any conditions would be determined by FHWA during award and grant administration.
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