Opportunity Information: Apply for FR CRS 24 001
The FY23-24 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant Program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). Its purpose is to fund rail-focused projects that strengthen the safety, efficiency, and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail systems. In practical terms, the program is designed to help modernize and improve rail networks and operations so trains can move more safely, more consistently, and with fewer delays, benefiting both passenger services and the movement of goods.
This opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number FR CRS 24 001 and is offered as a grant (not a loan or cooperative agreement). It falls within the transportation funding category and is associated with CFDA number 20.325. The federal government set an award ceiling of $2,385,440,210 for the opportunity, indicating the maximum possible award amount under this notice. The FRA anticipated making about 150 awards, suggesting the funding may be distributed across a sizable set of projects rather than concentrated in just a few very large awards. The posting date for this notice was April 2, 2024, and the original application deadline was May 28, 2024.
Eligibility is broad and intentionally includes many of the entities that plan, own, operate, regulate, or research rail transportation. Eligible applicants include states (including the District of Columbia), groups of states, interstate compacts, and public agencies or publicly chartered authorities established by one or more states. Local governments and political subdivisions, such as counties, cities, townships, and special districts, are also eligible. Passenger rail operators are included as well, specifically Amtrak and other rail carriers that provide intercity passenger rail transportation. The program also opens eligibility to Class II and Class III railroads (and their holding companies), along with associations representing one or more of those railroads, recognizing the role short line and regional carriers play in freight mobility and supply chain performance.
Beyond government agencies and rail operators, the program also includes federally recognized Indian Tribes as eligible applicants. It further allows participation by rail carriers or rail equipment manufacturers when they apply in partnership with at least one eligible public-sector entity (states, public agencies, or political subdivisions). Research and workforce-related entities are explicitly eligible too: the Transportation Research Board (and its contractors) for rail-related research efforts, university transportation centers engaged in rail research, and nonprofit labor organizations representing classes or crafts of rail carrier employees or rail contractor employees. The eligible applicant types listed in the source data also reflect a wide range of organizational forms, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, 501(c)(3) nonprofits (other than higher education), for-profit organizations (including small businesses), and other entities, aligning with the program’s emphasis on implementation, partnership, and applied research.
Overall, CRISI is structured as a flexible, competitive funding tool to support improvements across the rail system, spanning public-sector infrastructure priorities, passenger and freight operational needs, and rail-related research or workforce-connected initiatives. The underlying theme is performance improvement: reducing safety risks, removing bottlenecks, improving service reliability, and enhancing the effectiveness of rail transportation at the corridor and network level through projects that can be delivered by a wide set of rail stakeholders.Apply for FR CRS 24 001
- The DOT - Federal Railroad Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY23-24 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Grant Program" 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 2024-04-02.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-05-28. (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 $2,385,440,210.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 150 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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FY23-24 CRISI Grant Program (FR CRS 24 001) - FAQs
What is the FY23-24 Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Grant Program?
The FY23-24 CRISI Grant Program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). It supports rail-focused projects intended to strengthen the safety, efficiency, and reliability of intercity passenger and freight rail systems.
What is the main purpose of CRISI funding?
The program is designed to fund projects that modernize and improve rail networks and operations so trains can move more safely, more consistently, and with fewer delays. The intended benefits include improved passenger rail service and better movement of goods through the freight rail system.
Who administers this grant opportunity?
This opportunity is administered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) within the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).
Is CRISI a grant, a loan, or a cooperative agreement?
CRISI is offered as a grant. It is not described as a loan or a cooperative agreement in the information provided.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this notice?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FR CRS 24 001.
What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 20.325.
What funding category does this opportunity fall under?
This opportunity falls within the transportation funding category.
What is the award ceiling listed for this opportunity?
The federal government set an award ceiling of $2,385,440,210 under this notice, indicating the maximum possible award amount for the opportunity as listed.
How many awards did FRA anticipate making?
The FRA anticipated making about 150 awards, suggesting the funding may be distributed across many projects.
When was this funding opportunity posted?
The posting date for this notice was April 2, 2024.
What was the application deadline?
The original application deadline was May 28, 2024.
What kinds of projects does CRISI aim to support?
Based on the description provided, CRISI supports rail-focused projects that improve safety, efficiency, and reliability across intercity passenger and freight rail systems. The program emphasizes performance improvement such as reducing safety risks, removing bottlenecks, improving service reliability, and enhancing corridor- and network-level effectiveness.
Does CRISI support both passenger and freight rail improvements?
Yes. The program is described as supporting improvements to intercity passenger and freight rail systems, with benefits for passenger services and the movement of goods.
Are states eligible to apply?
Yes. Eligible applicants include states, including the District of Columbia.
Can groups of states or interstate compacts apply?
Yes. Groups of states and interstate compacts are explicitly listed as eligible applicants.
Are public agencies or publicly chartered authorities eligible?
Yes. Public agencies and publicly chartered authorities established by one or more states are included as eligible applicants.
Are local governments eligible to apply?
Yes. Local governments and political subdivisions such as counties, cities, townships, and special districts are listed as eligible.
Is Amtrak eligible?
Yes. Passenger rail operators are included, specifically Amtrak.
Are other intercity passenger rail providers eligible?
Yes. Other rail carriers that provide intercity passenger rail transportation are included as eligible applicants.
Are Class II and Class III railroads eligible?
Yes. Class II and Class III railroads (and their holding companies) are listed as eligible applicants.
Can associations representing Class II and/or Class III railroads apply?
Yes. Associations representing one or more Class II and/or Class III railroads are included as eligible.
Are federally recognized Indian Tribes eligible?
Yes. Federally recognized Indian Tribes are explicitly listed as eligible applicants.
Can rail carriers or rail equipment manufacturers apply?
They can participate when applying in partnership with at least one eligible public-sector entity. The description specifies rail carriers or rail equipment manufacturers are allowed when they apply in partnership with at least one eligible state, public agency, or political subdivision.
What does the partnership requirement mean for rail carriers or rail equipment manufacturers?
Based on the information provided, rail carriers or rail equipment manufacturers must apply in partnership with at least one eligible public-sector entity (such as a state, public agency, or political subdivision) in order to be eligible under this opportunity.
Are research organizations eligible under CRISI?
Yes. The Transportation Research Board (and its contractors) is eligible for rail-related research efforts, and university transportation centers engaged in rail research are also explicitly eligible.
Are workforce or labor organizations eligible?
Yes. Nonprofit labor organizations representing classes or crafts of rail carrier employees or rail contractor employees are explicitly included as eligible applicants.
Do institutions of higher education appear to be eligible?
Yes. The eligible applicant types listed include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education, consistent with the program including rail-related research and workforce-connected initiatives.
Are nonprofit organizations eligible?
Yes. The eligible applicant types listed include 501(c)(3) nonprofits (other than higher education).
Are for-profit organizations or small businesses eligible?
The eligible applicant types listed reflect that for-profit organizations (including small businesses) can be involved. In addition, the narrative specifies that rail carriers or rail equipment manufacturers may apply when partnered with an eligible public-sector entity.
Is CRISI intended to be a competitive program?
Yes. It is described as a flexible, competitive funding tool intended to support improvements across the rail system.
What is the overarching theme or focus of the CRISI program?
The central theme is performance improvement across the rail network: reducing safety risks, removing bottlenecks, improving service reliability, and enhancing the effectiveness of rail transportation at the corridor and network level.
Does the program focus only on infrastructure?
The description emphasizes rail-focused projects and includes references to modernizing rail networks and operations, improving corridor and network performance, and supporting rail-related research or workforce-connected initiatives. This suggests the program is not limited only to physical infrastructure, based on the information provided.
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