Background Information

DOT has issued a NOFO for the PROTECT Program. The purpose of this NOFO is to provide grants on a competitive basis for projects that seek to strengthen surface transportation to be more resilient to natural hazards, including climate change, sea level rise, heat waves, flooding, extreme weather events, and other natural disasters.

There are four categories of funding under the PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program:

1. Planning Grants 
2. Resilience Improvement Grants
3. Community Resilience and Evacuation Route Grants
4. At-Risk Coastal Infrastructure Grants

There is a total of $576 million available in funding for FY24 and FY25 for all categories combined. There is $300 million available in funding for FY26 for all categories combined.

Eligible Applicants

The PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program provides broad applicant eligibility for all levels of government to be direct recipients of funds, including states, territories, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, local governments, Indian Tribes, public transportation agencies, and port authorities.

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Important Dates

FY24 and FY25 applications are due February 24, 2025, and FY26 applications are due February 24, 2026.

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With the increasing number of opportunities of interest to CTE and our members, we are not able to pursue projects to the same extent as we have in the past. However, if you are interested in pursuing funding under this opportunity, CTE may be able to support your application through our Grant Writing as a Service program. If you have questions regarding this program please contact Wendy Morgan ([email protected]).

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