On June 25, 2024, FHWA announced the availability of at least $196 million for FY2023 Culvert AOP grants as part of the FY23-26 Culvert AOP NOFO. The deadline to apply for FY23 funding via Grants.gov is Monday, September 23, 2024, at 11:59 p.m., EDT.
Grants
The National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant Program (Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) Program) is a competitive grant program that awards grants to eligible entities for projects for the replacement, removal, and repair of culverts or weirs that meaningfully improve or restore fish passage for anadromous fish. Anadromous is the term that describes fish born in freshwater who spend most of their lives in saltwater and return/migrate to freshwater to spawn.
See National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grants (Culvert AOP Program) (PDF)
The Culvert AOP Program is USDOT’s primary means to fund AOP projects. Projects may be administered by various USDOT Operating Administrations, such as FHWA, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), or the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), depending on the nature of the project.
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
The FY23-26 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) solicits applications for the National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant Program (Culvert AOP Program).
This NOFO establishes a multi-year funding opportunity for applicants to submit projects for the remaining available amount of funds provided to the Culvert AOP Program in division J of Title VIII of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (also known as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law” or BIL) (Pub. L. 117-58), covering funds available for FY 2023 through FY 2026. This NOFO will result in the distribution of up to $784 million along with any unobligated funds from FY 2022, with at least $196 million distributed for each of FYs 2023 through 2026. The table below provides anticipated opening and closing dates for each year (i.e., FY 2023 through FY 2026).