Special Transportation Circumstances Projects | FR CRS 18 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for FR CRS 18 002

The Special Transportation Circumstances Projects (STC) grant opportunity is a discretionary federal funding program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). It is designed to direct rail-focused grant dollars to a small set of states with unique transportation challenges, specifically states that either do not have intercity passenger rail service or are not connected to the broader national rail system. The intent is to ensure these states are not left out of rail infrastructure investment simply because they lack the typical rail connectivity or service patterns seen elsewhere, and to support eligible rail capital improvements through established FRA programs.

This opportunity channels funding through two existing rail assistance authorities: the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program and the Restoration and Enhancement Grant Program. In practice, that means the grants are meant to support capital projects that improve rail infrastructure, safety, reliability, and related rail transportation outcomes, rather than general transportation spending. The opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement, which generally indicates that the FRA expects to have an active role in overseeing the project beyond simply issuing funds, including coordination on compliance, project milestones, and reporting.

The FY 2017 Appropriations Act specified directed amounts for three states under this STC opportunity. Alaska was allocated $277,400, South Dakota was allocated $978,200, and Wyoming was allocated $985,500. Taken together, the total funding available across the opportunity is $2,241,100, and the FRA anticipated making three awards, aligning with the three named recipients. The overall structure suggests a targeted, state-specific distribution rather than a broad nationwide competition for a large pool of applicants.

In terms of timing and administration, the opportunity was created on February 15, 2018, with an original application closing date of June 15, 2018. It is categorized under transportation funding and is listed under CFDA number 20.325. Eligibility is described as "Others" with further clarification referenced in an additional eligibility information field, which typically means the eligible applicant types are limited and defined by the notice (often state agencies or designated entities), especially given that the appropriations language already identifies the beneficiary states.

Overall, STC grants are best understood as a narrowly tailored funding action meant to address special rail circumstances in Alaska, South Dakota, and Wyoming by supporting eligible rail capital projects under existing FRA rail grant frameworks, with predetermined funding levels and a small number of expected awards.

• The Department of Transportation, DOT/Federal Railroad Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Special Transportation Circumstances Projects" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.325.
• This funding opportunity was created on Feb 15, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Jun 15, 2018 No Explanation. (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 $2,241,100.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 3 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for FR CRS 18 002

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