USDOT Opens $450 Million for Port Infrastructure with March 27 Deadline

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Maritime Administration has made $450 million available through the FY2026 Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), the final year of dedicated Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding for the nation's ports.

Applications are due March 27, 2026 at 11:59 PM EDT — just four days away.

What PIDP Funds and Who Can Apply

The program supports projects that improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of freight movement into, out of, and within coastal seaports, inland river ports, and Great Lakes ports. Eligible projects include facility improvements, intermodal connections directly related to port operations, and infrastructure that enhances supply chain resilience.

Eligible applicants include port authorities, state and local government agencies, tribal governments, and other public entities with jurisdiction over port-related activities. Federal cost-share covers 80 percent of project costs, though the Secretary of Transportation may increase the federal contribution for projects in rural areas or small projects at smaller ports.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law authorized $2.25 billion for PIDP over five years (FY2022–2026), making this the program's final scheduled allocation. Additional unobligated prior-year PIDP funds and any FY2026 Appropriations Act funding may supplement the total available.

Why This Is the Last Guaranteed Window

With no reauthorization bill currently advancing in Congress, the FY2026 allocation represents the last guaranteed PIDP funding under current law. Port operators, local governments, and regional planning agencies that have been developing infrastructure proposals should finalize applications immediately. The program has been historically competitive, with past rounds attracting significantly more in requests than available funding.

Strengthening Your Application

Projects that demonstrate clear supply chain benefits, climate resilience features, or connections to disadvantaged communities have performed well in prior PIDP rounds. MARAD has also favored proposals that show multimodal freight connections and measurable economic impact for surrounding communities.

Applicants can contact the Maritime Administration at PIDPgrants@dot.gov for technical assistance. Port infrastructure strategy guides and detailed grant opportunity analysis are available on the Granted blog.