NSFLTP Grant: $165M for Federal Lands and Tribal Transportation (FY 2024-2026)

The Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Nationally Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects (NSFLTP) Program is making up to $165 million available across FY 2024 through 2026 for large, NEPA-complete transportation projects on federal and tribal lands. Two things set NSFLTP apart from other DOT discretionary grants: there is a $12.5 million minimum project cost, and Tribal transportation facility projects can be funded at up to 100% federal share. This NOFO is Amendment No. 1 to the new NOFO that replaces the version published July 17, 2024 — applicants who applied under that previous NOFO must update and resubmit.

What Is the NSFLTP Program?

Established under Section 1123 of the FAST Act (Pub. L. 114-94) and amended by Section 11127 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Pub. L. 117-58), the NSFLTP Program funds the construction, reconstruction, or rehabilitation of transportation facilities within, adjacent to, or providing access to federal or tribal lands. The program is designed for large, nationally significant projects too big and too complex to be funded through the regular Federal Lands and Tribal Transportation formula programs.

One critical note up front: NSFLTP funds may only be used for construction, reconstruction, or rehabilitation. The costs of preliminary engineering and project design are not eligible for reimbursement and may not be applied to the estimated total eligible project cost. PE/design must be funded elsewhere.

Who Can Apply?

Eligibility depends on which entity is leading the application:

• Federal Land Management Agencies (FLMAs) may apply directly.
• Federally recognized Indian Tribes may apply directly.
• States, counties, and units of local government may apply, but only if sponsored by an FLMA or a federally recognized Indian Tribe.

If your state, county, or local government applies, your application must include a letter from your FLMA or Tribal sponsor verifying the sponsorship. The letter should specify the lead recipient for financial administration and describe the roles and responsibilities of both the sponsor and the applicant. A list of FLMA Sponsorship Coordinators is available at highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/significant/list-sponsorship-coordinators.

If a non-State DOT applicant uses Federal-aid formula funds apportioned to a State DOT as part of the total project budget, the application must also include a supporting letter from the State DOT agreeing to administer the project, with the applicant serving as sub-recipient.

Critical Eligibility Requirements

Three NSFLTP-specific eligibility constraints catch applicants by surprise. Build your strategy around them before investing in an application.

1. NEPA Must Be Complete at Time of Application

Per FAST Act § 1123(c)(2), applications must demonstrate that National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements are complete at the time of application. You demonstrate this through a Record of Decision (ROD), Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI), or Categorical Exclusion (CE) determination. Projects still in NEPA review are not eligible. This single requirement disqualifies many otherwise strong projects.

2. $12.5 Million Minimum Total Project Cost

Per FAST Act § 1123(c)(3), the total project cost must be at least $12.5 million, based on the results of preliminary engineering. There is no per-project award ceiling, but if your total project cost is under $12.5M, the project is not eligible for NSFLTP.

3. Single Continuous Project on Eligible Facility Type

The project must be a single continuous project (FAST Act § 1123(c)), located on either:

• A Federal lands transportation facility — public highway, road, bridge, trail, or transit system located on, adjacent to, or providing access to federal lands for which title and maintenance responsibility is vested in the federal government, or
• A Federal lands access transportation facility — same but with title or maintenance vested in a state, county, town, township, tribal, municipal, or local government, or
• A Tribal transportation facility — public highway, road, bridge, trail, or transit system located on or providing access to Tribal land.

The facility does not need to be included in inventories described in 23 U.S.C. 202 or 203.

The 50/50 Statutory Funding Split

Per FAST Act § 1123(h)(1), the NSFLTP funds are divided evenly each fiscal year:

• 50% must be used for projects on Tribal transportation facilities; and
• 50% must be used for projects on Federal lands transportation facilities and Federal lands access transportation facilities.

Within the federal lands half, FHWA must award funding to at least one eligible project per fiscal year submitted by the National Park Service for a unit of the National Park System with at least three million annual visitors (FAST Act § 1123(h)(2)). Understanding which side of the split your project falls on helps you frame it correctly and gauge the competitive field.

Cost Share: Federal Funds Can Pay the Non-Federal Share

The cost-share structure is uniquely favorable in two ways:

• Tribal transportation facility projects: Federal share up to 100%. No non-federal match required.
• Non-Tribal projects (Federal lands transportation/access facilities): Federal share up to 90%; non-federal share at least 10%.

And here is a provision uncommon in federal grants: "Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any Federal funds may be used to pay the non-Federal share of the cost of an NSFLTP project." Other federal funds (FLAP, TTP, formula apportionments, etc.) can be stacked on top of NSFLTP to meet the 10% non-federal share — a meaningful flexibility most discretionary programs do not allow.

DOT will not consider previously incurred costs or previously expended/encumbered funds toward matching requirements.

Award Type and Disbursement

FHWA administers NSFLTP grants differently depending on the recipient:

• States, counties, units of local government: Generally on a reimbursement basis.
• Tribes and FLMAs: Generally on an advance basis.

This is a practical cash-flow difference worth knowing when you plan project financing.

How Applications Are Evaluated: The Three Merit Criteria

NSFLTP applications are evaluated against three statutory merit criteria, each rated Highly Responsive / Responsive / Non-Responsive against specific objectives.

Criterion 1: Statutory Selection Criteria § 1123(f)(1)-(3) and Core Infrastructure / Economic Competitiveness / Reinvesting in the American Family

Objectives:

• A. Project improves state of good repair, especially mitigating single points of failure (e.g., repairing bridges with long detour routes), and aligns with DOT safety goals.
• B. Project improves critical infrastructure (including multimodal facilities) and access to significant resources and destinations.
• C. Project is in need of construction, reconstruction, or rehabilitation.
• D. Project supports economic competitiveness — access to natural resources (especially energy production, critical minerals extraction, agricultural operations), national-interest areas, businesses, jobs, and tourism.
• E. Project improves quality of life and supports reinvestment in American families — improving travel experience for families or access for individuals with disabilities.

Highly Responsive: aligns with A, B, C, D, and E. Responsive: aligns with A, B, and C.

Criterion 2: Statutory Selection Criteria § 1123(f)(6) and Innovation

The project uses new technologies and innovations that enhance construction, operational, or transportation system efficiency. Highly Responsive: at least one new technology or innovation currently promoted by FHWA's Every Day Counts initiative. Responsive: at least one new technology or innovation that could enhance project efficiency.

Criterion 3: Statutory Selection Criteria § 1123(f)(4), (5), (7)-(9) and Funding / Location Criteria

Objectives:

• A. Non-NSFLTP funding is provided for projects on Tribal transportation facilities; or non-NSFLTP funding accounts for more than 10% of total eligible project costs for projects not on Tribal transportation facilities.
• B. Project facilities are included in or eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
• C. The facility has a source of funding for future maintenance and operation, with reasonable expectation those funds remain available.
• D. Project spans two or more states.
• E. Project serves land owned by multiple federal agencies or Indian Tribes.

Highly Responsive: aligns with three or more subcomponents. Responsive: aligns with one or two.

Overall Merit Rating

• High: At least two of three criteria Highly Responsive; all others at least Responsive.
• Medium: All criteria at least Responsive; fewer than two Highly Responsive.
• Low: Any criterion Non-Responsive.

Project Readiness Assessment

Eligible applications with a Medium or higher merit rating proceed to the Project Readiness Assessment, scored across three dimensions:

• Technical Assessment (Certain / Somewhat Certain / Unknown): Technical and staffing resources, federal compliance, timely-delivery commitment, technical feasibility.
• Financial Completeness Assessment (Complete / Partially Complete / Incomplete): Reasonable cost estimates, cost-overrun plan, reasonable funding availability, and O&M funding plan.
• Permitting Risk Assessment (Low / Moderate / High Risk): Permit status, public engagement, and disclosure of unmitigated risks (litigation, public controversy, agency opposition).

Combined into an overall readiness rating of High, Medium, or Low, then an overall application rating of Highly Recommended, Recommended, or Not Recommended.

FY 2026 DOT Priority Considerations

Among similarly rated applications, after applying statutory priorities, DOT may prioritize selections based on:

• Applications receiving a high readiness rating
• Geographic mix of recipients
• Projects that decrease roadway traffic congestion without proposing limits on roadway capacity for motor vehicles or creating artificial chokepoints
• Projects with high responsiveness to Reinvesting in the American Family through beautification of transportation infrastructure, travel-experience improvements, or expansion/modernization of transportation in rural communities

Review and Selection Process

1. Intake & Eligibility Review — FHWA confirms completeness and Section B eligibility.
2. Technical Review Team (TRT) — DOT and FHWA staff evaluate merit criteria, readiness, and responsiveness to DOT priorities.
3. Senior Review Team (SRT) — OST and FHWA leadership determine which projects advance.
4. Final selection by DOT Leadership.

Unsuccessful applicants may request a debriefing up to 90 days after selections are announced by emailing NSFLTP-Program@dot.gov.

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through Grants.gov. SAM.gov registration can take several weeks or longer — start early:

• An active SAM.gov registration
• A valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)
• A Grants.gov account for your organization

The application package, accessible via Grants.gov under Opportunity Number FHWA-NSFT-24-001, includes:

• SF-424 (Application for Federal Assistance) with the NSFLTP Application Template attached to Item 15
• SF-424C (Budget Information for Construction Projects)
• SF-424D (Assurances for Construction Programs)
• Grants.gov Lobbying Form (Certification Regarding Lobbying)
• SF-LLL (Disclosure of Lobbying Activities)
• FLMA or Tribal sponsorship letter (if applicant is a state, county, or local government)
• State DOT support letter (if using Federal-aid formula funds)

There is no limit on the number of applications an applicant may submit. If submitting more than one, indicate funding priority on the cover page (DOT is not required to follow that priority). This program is not subject to E.O. 12372 Intergovernmental Review.

Tips for a Strong NSFLTP Application

1. Confirm NEPA Completion Before Anything Else

If you do not have a ROD, FONSI, or CE determination on the project as proposed, you are not eligible for FY 2024-2026 NSFLTP funding. Confirm NEPA status before you invest in an application.

2. Lock In Your Sponsor Early

If you are a state, county, or local government, the FLMA or Tribal sponsorship letter is the gating step. Engage your sponsor early, agree on the lead recipient and roles, and get the sponsorship letter in writing well before the deadline.

3. Build the Narrative Around the Three Merit Criteria

Don't write generic "nationally significant" prose. Walk through Criterion 1 (objectives A–E), Criterion 2 (Innovation), and Criterion 3 (objectives A–E) with explicit, NOFO-anchored responses. Highly Responsive ratings require hitting almost every objective — budget your narrative pages accordingly.

4. Stack Federal Funds for the Non-Federal Share

Because federal funds can be used to pay the non-federal share on NSFLTP, look at your existing FLAP, TTP, formula, and other federal allocations as potential match sources. Document those commitments in your application's funding stack.

5. Take the Readiness Assessment Seriously

For projects this large, FHWA expects to see complete cost estimates, an honest cost-overrun plan, an O&M funding plan, and permits either obtained or on a credible schedule. Disclose any litigation or public controversy honestly — undisclosed risks penalize more than disclosed ones.

6. If You're on a Tribal Facility, Emphasize the 100% Federal Share Eligibility

Tribal transportation facility projects are eligible for up to 100% federal share — a real structural advantage. Pair it with the geographic-mix DOT priority and the Reinvesting-in-the-American-Family priority for the strongest possible Tribal application.

Post-Award Requirements

Buy America

Funds are subject to FHWA's steel, iron, and manufactured product domestic requirements (23 U.S.C. § 313 and 23 CFR 635.410) and the construction materials domestic preference under Pub. L. 117-58, div. G §§ 70901–70927 (2 CFR Part 184).

Federal Anti-Discrimination Certification

Per E.O. 14173, as a condition of award (except where prohibited by court order), each recipient must certify that it does not operate any programs promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives that violate applicable federal anti-discrimination laws.

Contact Information

• Program Email: NSFLTP-Program@dot.gov
• Mailing Address: Federal Highway Administration, Office of Federal Lands Highway, 22001 Loudoun County Parkway, Mail Stop HFLP, Ashburn, VA 20147
• Program Website: highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/significant
• FLMA Sponsorship Coordinators: highways.dot.gov — Sponsorship Coordinators

How Avila Can Help

NSFLTP is demanding: it requires sponsorship arrangements, NEPA completion, a persuasive case for national significance against three specific merit criteria, and project-readiness documentation that major discretionary grants expect. For tribal and local government staff managing complex projects, pulling that package together on deadline is a significant lift.

Avila's AI-powered platform helps tribes and local governments streamline the grant application process by:

• Analyzing the NOFO to surface eligibility (NEPA completion, $12.5M minimum), the 50/50 split, and merit criteria
• Helping draft narratives aligned to each merit criterion's specific objectives
• Tracking deadlines, sponsorship letters, and registrations
• Managing the full grant lifecycle from discovery to closeout

Ready to explore how Avila can support your NSFLTP application? Book a demo to learn more.

For more on federal grant applications, see our guides on federal grant writing, SAM.gov registration, and Grants.gov registration. For other infrastructure funding, explore our guides to the BIT3 Bridge Program and the Culvert AOP Program.