Grants for Construction
Construction grants fund infrastructure development, public works projects, building construction, transportation systems, water infrastructure, renewable energy projects, and community development. Federal agencies, state governments, and local authorities provide funding for roads, bridges, water systems, public facilities, broadband infrastructure, and green building projects. Below are 774 verified construction grant opportunities.
Types of Construction Grants
Infrastructure & Public Works
Roads, highways, bridges, tunnels, transportation systems, water infrastructure, wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and multi-modal transportation projects serving communities and commerce.
Water & Wastewater Systems
Drinking water system upgrades, wastewater treatment facility construction, water quality improvements, lead service line replacement, and water conservation infrastructure for municipalities and water authorities.
Broadband & Telecommunications
Rural broadband deployment, fiber optic network construction, 5G infrastructure, wireless tower installation, and last-mile connectivity projects for underserved communities.
Renewable Energy Infrastructure
Solar facility construction, wind farm development, geothermal systems, battery storage infrastructure, EV charging networks, and clean energy project construction for communities and businesses.
Major Federal Construction Funding Programs
Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA)
Purpose: $110B for transportation, $39B for transit, $11B for road safety, $65B for broadband, $20B for rail, $15B for EV charging
Amount: $1.2 trillion total infrastructure investment
Eligibility: States, local governments, tribes, private companies, nonprofits
Focus: Roads, bridges, transit, broadband, water, renewable energy
Website: Infrastructure.gov
Community Development Block Grants (CDBG)
Purpose: Community infrastructure, public facilities, economic development
Amount: $3.4B annually
Eligibility: Entitlement cities, urban counties (populations 50K+), nonentitlement areas
Focus: Community centers, parks, water systems, streets, public facilities
Website: HUD.gov
Department of Transportation (DOT) Grants
Purpose: Highway, transit, aviation, rail, and multimodal transportation projects
Amount: $20B+ annually across programs
Grants Include: USDOT discretionary grants (RAISE), highway grants (FHWA), transit grants (FTA)
Website: Transportation.gov
Water Infrastructure Finance & Innovation Act (WIFIA)
Purpose: Water and wastewater system construction
Amount: Loans up to $35M-$63M per project
Eligibility: States, municipalities, tribes, public-private partnerships
Projects: Drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, green infrastructure
Website: EPA.gov/WIFIA
Who Can Apply for Construction Grants?
Construction grants serve different applicants depending on project type and funding source. Most infrastructure grants prioritize public benefit.
- State Governments: DOT, environmental agencies, economic development authorities
- Local Governments: Cities, counties, municipalities, local transit agencies
- Tribal Governments: Federally recognized tribes, tribal transportation authorities
- Public Agencies: Water authorities, utility districts, regional commissions
- Private Companies: Construction firms, broadband providers, energy companies (some programs)
- Nonprofits: Community development organizations, transit nonprofits (specific programs)
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the largest construction grant programs?
Largest programs include: (1) Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) - $1.2T across transportation, water, broadband, and energy with $1T-$200B in grants, (2) Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) - $3.4B annually for local infrastructure, (3) DOT grants (RAISE, FHWA, FTA) - $20B+ annually, (4) USDA Rural programs - $5B+ annually for water and broadband infrastructure. IIJA grants are currently the most actively awarded. Check Infrastructure.gov for real-time application deadlines.
How do you apply for federal construction grants?
Process varies by program. Most federal construction grants require: (1) Development of project scope, budget, timeline, (2) Environmental review (NEPA for federal funding), (3) Formal application through agency portal or Grants.gov, (4) Local/state approvals (planning, zoning, utility agreements), (5) Public comment periods (30+ days typical), (6) Federal review and award (3-6 months). Complex projects often require pre-application meetings with federal agencies. Allow 6-12 months from concept to award for major infrastructure projects.
What's the matching requirement for construction grants?
Matching varies significantly: CDBG typically requires 10% match or exempts small cities. IIJA often includes 20%-50% local match requirements. Some programs are 100% federally funded (emergency infrastructure). WIFIA loans don't require upfront matching. Rural broadband grants often 0%-20% match. Water infrastructure may offer principal forgiveness loans (0%-100% grants) for disadvantaged communities. Check specific NOFO (Notice of Funding Opportunity) for your program's match requirements. Match can be cash, in-kind services, or previous local investment.
Can private construction companies get federal grants?
Direct federal grants to private contractors are rare. However: (1) Private companies can be subcontractors on government-awarded projects, (2) Some broadband grants allow ISPs/private companies as prime recipients, (3) EV charging networks can receive DOE grants, (4) Renewable energy companies qualify for some USDA and DOE construction funding, (5) Small construction firms may qualify for SBA loans or state programs. Most federal dollars flow through state/local governments, which then contract with private builders. Check specific program requirements.
How long does it take to complete a construction grant project?
Timeline varies: Small projects (under $1M) typically 18-24 months from award to completion. Medium projects ($1M-$10M) often 2-3 years. Large infrastructure ($10M+) may take 3-5+ years. Federal construction grants include mandatory timelines (project completion deadlines, drawdown periods). Extensions available for weather delays, permitting issues, or documented circumstances. Budget contingencies (10%-15%) typical. Most grants require quarterly progress reports. Engage experienced project managers early to manage federal compliance, environmental requirements, and prevailing wage obligations.
What are prevailing wage requirements for construction grants?
Most federal construction grants require payment of "prevailing wages" - typically union-scale wages set by Department of Labor or state. This applies to all workers on federally-funded projects. Prevailing wage rates vary by location, craft, and skill level - often 40%-100% higher than market rates. Contractors must obtain prevailing wage determination from DOL before bidding. Failure to pay prevailing wages results in penalties and project suspension. Budget impacts are significant - factor 30%-50% wage premium into project costs. Some IIJA programs exempt rural broadband projects.
How to Apply for Construction Grants
- Develop Your Project: Define scope, budget, timeline, and expected outcomes. Identify specific federal funding source (IIJA, CDBG, DOT, etc.). Assess if your project qualifies under program requirements. Engage consultants for complex projects (NEPA, engineering reviews, environmental assessments).
- Complete Environmental Review: Federal projects require NEPA compliance. Scope ranges from Categorical Exclusion (simple projects) to Environmental Assessment to Environmental Impact Statement (major projects). Engage qualified environmental consultant. Typical timeline 2-6 months. This often must be completed before federal application submission.
- Prepare Technical & Financial Proposal: Develop detailed project narrative (scope, approach, timeline), engineering plans/designs, preliminary cost estimate, local matching fund commitment letters, and management plan. For construction: preliminary designs sufficient for federal review. Budget narrative explaining cost breakdown. Team resumes demonstrating relevant experience.
- Secure Local Approvals: Obtain city council/county commission resolutions supporting project and committing local match funds. Environmental permits (state, local). Right-of-way agreements if applicable. Public notice/comment period completion (typically 30 days minimum). Document all approvals for federal submission.
- Submit Federal Application: Use Grants.gov or agency-specific portal. Complete SF-424 forms, program-specific application forms, certifications (civil rights, environmental, financial). Submit all supporting documentation. Most systems require SAM.gov registration for federal contractors. Track submission confirmation and portal feedback.
- Manage Federal Review Process: Federal agencies review 2-4 months. Expect requests for clarification or additional information—respond promptly. Successful applicants receive Notice of Award. Begin contracting process immediately. Federal grant agreements specify drawdown procedures, reporting, and compliance requirements. Hire experienced grants administrator for compliance.
Construction Grant Resources
Infrastructure.gov
IIJA grants, deadlines, application support for transportation, water, broadband, and energy projects.
HUD CDBG
Community Development Block Grants for community infrastructure and public facilities.
DOT Grants
Transportation grants for roads, transit, rail, aviation, and multimodal projects.
Grants.gov
Federal grant opportunities searchable by agency, category, and deadline.
Available Construction Grants (774)
Showing 1-20 of 774 grants
Leveraging Network Infrastructure to Conduct Innovative Research for Women, Children, Pregnant and Lactating Women, and Persons with Disabilities (UG3/UH3 - Clinical Trial Optional)
National Institutes of Health
DOE Infrastructure Work Scope Development
Idaho Field Office
Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
Engineering for Civil Infrastructure
U.S. National Science Foundation
Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program
Rural Business-Cooperative Service
EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement (RII): EPSCoR Research Fellows
U.S. National Science Foundation
Mid-scale Research Infrastructure-1
U.S. National Science Foundation
Vet-LIRN Capacity-Building Project and Equipment Grants (U18)
Food and Drug Administration
Infrastructure Cluster
U.S. National Science Foundation
Utilizing the PLCO Biospecimens Resource to Bridge Gaps in Cancer Etiology and Early Detection Research (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
National Institutes of Health
EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program: EPSCoR Collaborations for Optimizing Research Ecosystems
U.S. National Science Foundation
Cyberinfrastructure for Public Access and Open Science
U.S. National Science Foundation
Infrastructure Systems and People
U.S. National Science Foundation
NSF Dynamic Language Infrastructure - NEH Documenting Endangered Languages
U.S. National Science Foundation
Centers of Research Excellence in Science and Technology - Research Infrastructure for Science and Engineering
U.S. National Science Foundation
EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement Program: EPSCoR Research Incubators for STEM Excellence
U.S. National Science Foundation
Infrastructure Capacity for Biological Research
U.S. National Science Foundation
RESTORE Act Direct Component - Non-Construction Activities
U.S. Dept. of Treasury RESTORE Act Program
RESTORE Act Direct Component – Construction and Real Property Acquisition Activities
U.S. Dept. of Treasury RESTORE Act Program
Building Partnerships and Broadening Perspectives to Advance Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) Research (BBAER) Program (UM1), Clinical Trial Optional
National Institutes of Health