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Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program

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Grant Insights

(INFORMATION SUBJECT TO CHANGE PENDING FY2024 NOFO RELEASE)

The purpose of the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program is to facilitate broad public access to a national charging and alternative fuel infrastructure network to accelerate the adoption of zero emissions vehicles, by advancing an electrified and alternative fuel transportation system that is convenient, affordable, reliable, equitable, accessible, and safe. Program funds are authorized through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

The Agency intends to award projects aligned with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) strategic goals of improving economic strength and global competitiveness, workforce development, climate justice, and investment equity in disadvantaged and underserved communities.

Key Updates U.S. Department of Transportation – Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
Funding Opportunity
Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) Discretionary Grant Program – Pending FY24
Release

NOFO Release Date TBD (FY22-23 NOFO was released 03/14/2023)
Application Due Date TBD (FY22-23 Application was due 06/13/2023 by 11:59 p.m. EST via www.Grants.gov)
# of Programs
  1. Community Charging and Fueling Program Grants (Community Program)
  2. Alternative Fuel Corridor Grants (Corridor Program)
Total Funding Available  TBD (FY22-23 Total was $700,000,000)
Award Minimum Community Grants: TBD (FY22-23 minimum award amount was $500,000)
Corridor Grants: TBD (FY22-23 minimum award amount was $1,000,000)
Award Maximum Community Grants: TBD (FY22-23 maximum award amount was $15,000,000)
Corridor Grants: TBD (FY22-23 NOFO did not include maximum award amount)
Recipient Cost-Share/Match Requirements:

Applicants must provide at least 20% of the total project costs via nonfederal matching contributions (as stated in the FY22-23 NOFO).
Summary

Eligible Infrastructure: publicly accessible electric vehicle charging, hydrogen fueling, propane fueling, or natural gas fueling infrastructure. Propane fueling infrastructure is limited to infrastructure for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles.
 
Community Program: grants are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to expand or fill gaps in access to charging or alternative fueling infrastructure.
· Project Location: may be on any public road or in other publicly accessible locations including parking facilities at public buildings, schools, and parks, or publicly accessible parking facilities owned/managed by a private entity.
· Eligible Costs: acquisition and installation of infrastructure; construction or reconstruction; development phase activities; contracting a private entity; and educational and community engagement activities.

Corridor Program: grants are expected to support the buildout of charging or alternative fueling infrastructure along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFC).
· Project Location: must be along a designated AFC, on the condition that any affected Indian Tribes are consulted before designation.
Eligible Costs: contracting a private entity for acquisition and installation of eligible infrastructure and traffic control devices; and operating assistance.
Eligible Applicants
  • State, Political Subdivision of a State, or Unit of Local Government
  • Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO)
  • Special Purpose District or Public Authority with a transportation function, including a Port Authority
  • Indian Tribe or U.S. Territory
  • Authority, Agency, or Instrumentality of, or an entity owned by, one or more entities listed above
  • Group of entities as listed above
  • Community Program ONLY: State or Local Authority with ownership of publicly accessible transportation facilities
*Corridor Program recipients must use funds to contract with a private entity.
**Joint applicants must identify an eligible lead applicant to serve as the prime awardee.
***Applicants may apply for funding under both programs by submitting only one application.
Special Consideration

Both Community and Corridor Grant projects must be publicly accessible, address environmental justice, and be accessible and usable by individuals with disabilities.
 
Community Grants Funding Allocation: $350,000,000
Corridor Grants Funding Allocation: $350,000,000
 
Applicants for the Corridor Program should ensure their applications, as they relate to EV infrastructure, align with their State’s NEVI Deployment Plan.
 
Applicants are encouraged to propose projects that are scalable and identify scaled funding options in case insufficient funding is available to fund an applicant’s project or a bundled project at the full requested amount.
Notes Community Grants applicants are encouraged to identify in their application one or more of the following categories, regarding the area(s) in which alternative fueling/charging access would expand:
  • Multi-Modal Hubs and Shared-Use Fleets and Services
  • Urban/Suburban Area Charging and Fueling Solutions
  • Rural Area Charging and Fueling Solutions
  • Fleet Vehicles that Serve and Operate in Communities
Corridor Grants applicants are encouraged to identify in their application one or more of the following focus area(s) their proposed project address(es) and how the project contributes to the build-out of a national corridor network:
  • Demonstrate Build-Out of AFCs
  • Zero Emission Corridors for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Vehicles
  • Resiliency
DOT Priority Consideration, for both Community and Corridor Grant applicants, will be given to projects that demonstrate exceptional benefits to Merit Criterion (MC): #3 Equity, Community Engagement, and Justice40; MC #4 Workforce Development, Job Quality, and Wealth Creation; or MC #5 CFI Program Vision.
 
A list of previously awarded FY22-23 CFI Program Projects can be found on the USDOT – FHWA website: Grant Recipients - CFI - Environment - FHWA (dot.gov)
Contact Information Submit NOFO and CFI Program questions to:
 
Agency: USDOT – FHWA Staff
Email/Phone: CFIgrants@dot.gov; a TDD is available at (202) 366-3993
FAQs: www.Grants.gov under the funding opportunity number: 693JJ323NF00004

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