PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program Fact Sheet
The vision of the PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program is to fund projects that address the climate crisis by improving the resilience of the surface transportation system, including highways, public transportation, ports, and intercity passenger rail. Projects selected under this program should be grounded in the best available scientific understanding of climate change risks, impacts, and vulnerabilities. They should support the continued operation or rapid recovery of crucial local, regional, or national surface transportation facilities. Furthermore, selected projects should utilize innovative and collaborative approaches to risk reduction, including the use of natural infrastructure, which is explicitly eligible under the program. Also called nature-based solutions, these strategies include conservation, restoration, or construction of riparian and streambed treatments, marshes, wetlands, native vegetation, stormwater bioswales, breakwaters, reefs, dunes, and shade trees. They reduce flood risks, erosion, wave damage, and heat impacts while also creating habitat, filtering pollutants, and providing recreational benefits. Projects in the PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program have the potential to demonstrate innovation and best practices that State and local governments in other parts of the country can consider replicating.
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
FY22 and FY23 – PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
PROTECT Discretionary Grant Program Application Checklists are available at the above NOFO link under the “Related Documents” tab.
Virtual meetings for the NOFO will be held:
Monday, May 8, 2023 from 1-2 PM ET
Registration Link:
https://usdot.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_wpq8qcrVQz67DqdjPCar1A
Thursday, May 11, 2023 from 1-2 PM ET
Registration Link:
https://usdot.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_nvoQgZCFTwCWdS_FYTH5kg
Both webinars will cover the same content. A recording will be posted in the Webinars section below. FHWA is committed to providing equal access to these online events for all participants. If you need alternative formats or other reasonable accommodations, please contact PROTECTDiscretionary@dot.gov at least two business days in advance of the webinar.
Virtual Meeting on How to Prepare the Benefit Cost Analysis will be held:
Thursday, May 25, 2023 from 2-4 PM ET Registration Link:
https://usdot.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_4nxGKZNWQxiTwm8jpVN69w