Opportunity Information: Apply for 693JJ324NF00029
The Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-2024 National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP) is a discretionary grant opportunity run by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The program is designed to help recognize, preserve, and enhance scenic roads across the United States by funding projects located on designated byways. That includes National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads (together branded as America's Byways), as well as State scenic byways and Indian Tribe scenic byways. In addition to project implementation, the program can also support the planning, design, and development of a State or Tribal scenic byway program.
For this cycle, FHWA expects to award a total of up to $26.95 million using FY 2023 and FY 2024 appropriations. The funding comes from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 ($20 million, enacted December 29, 2022) and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (an additional $7.5 million, enacted March 8, 2024) as Highway Infrastructure Program funds authorized under 23 U.S.C. 162. FHWA anticipates making roughly 30 to 40 awards. The opportunity listing indicates an award ceiling of $4,000,000, but the program summary also states there is no formal minimum or maximum award size, meaning applicants should propose budgets that match the actual scope and readiness of their projects while staying consistent with the NOFO requirements.
Only two types of entities can be the direct applicants and recipients: State governments (typically State Departments of Transportation) and federally recognized Indian Tribes, as defined in Federal law. Other organizations such as local governments, nonprofit groups, tourism organizations, corridor associations, or similar partners may be involved and can collaborate on project development, but they cannot apply on their own. If a local or regional group wants to pursue funding, they generally need to work through their State DOT or an eligible Tribal government so that one of those eligible entities submits the application and serves as the grant recipient.
The NSBP supports a wide range of byway-related activities listed in 23 U.S.C. 162(c). In practical terms, eligible projects can include improving access to recreation sites; developing byway facilities; construction and other capital improvements; creating or updating corridor management plans; certain highway improvements tied to the byway; interpretive and educational information (such as signage, kiosks, exhibits, or related visitor content); marketing and promotional programs; protection of scenic, historic, cultural, natural, archaeological, and recreational resources along the corridor; safety improvements; building or enhancing State and Tribal scenic byway programs; and tourist information initiatives. The core theme is that projects should strengthen the visitor experience and stewardship of the byway while helping communities highlight and protect the corridor's distinctive resources.
The standard cost share is that the Federal government may cover up to 80 percent of total eligible project costs, leaving a 20 percent non-Federal match. A notable exception is provided for projects on public roads that provide access to or are within Federal or Indian lands: in those cases, a Federal Land Management Agency may be able to use its own authorized funds as the non-Federal share. Applicants should treat the 80 percent figure as a cap, not a guarantee, and should plan their budgets and matching funds strategy accordingly based on the detailed rules in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).
Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov, and the deadline for this round is Monday, December 16, 2024, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. FHWA also scheduled an informational webinar as part of its outreach for the program on Thursday, October 10, 2024, from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM Eastern Time, with registration through the provided ZoomGov link. While the summary materials give the highlights, interested applicants are expected to review the full NOFO (in the "Related documents" section) to understand the required application components, any documentation or certifications, eligibility nuances, project selection criteria, and submission instructions.
Key identifiers for the opportunity include Funding Opportunity Number 693JJ324NF00029, assistance listing/CFDA number 20.205, and an activity category of Transportation. The funding instrument is a grant, the opportunity is discretionary, and it is administered by FHWA within USDOT.Apply for 693JJ324NF00029
- The DOT Federal Highway Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-2024 National Scenic Byways Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.205.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-09-17.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-12-16. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $4,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 40 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Others.
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FY 2023-2024 National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP) FAQ
What is the National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP)?
The National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP) is a discretionary grant program administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). It supports projects that recognize, preserve, and enhance scenic roads in the United States by funding work located on designated byways.
Which byways are eligible for NSBP-funded projects?
Projects must be located on designated byways, including National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads (together branded as America's Byways), as well as State scenic byways and Indian Tribe scenic byways.
Can the grant support building or improving a State or Tribal scenic byway program (not just a specific project)?
Yes. In addition to project implementation, NSBP can support the planning, design, and development of a State or Tribal scenic byway program.
Who can apply as the direct applicant and receive the award?
Only State governments (typically State Departments of Transportation) and federally recognized Indian Tribes (as defined in Federal law) may apply directly and be the grant recipient.
Can local governments, nonprofits, tourism organizations, or corridor associations apply directly?
No. Local governments, nonprofit groups, tourism organizations, corridor associations, and similar partners may collaborate on project development, but they cannot apply on their own. To pursue funding, they generally need to work through an eligible State DOT or an eligible Tribal government that submits the application and serves as the recipient.
How much funding is available under this FY 2023-2024 NSBP round?
FHWA expects to award a total of up to $26.95 million using FY 2023 and FY 2024 appropriations.
Where does the funding come from and what is the legal authority?
The funding is provided as Highway Infrastructure Program funds authorized under 23 U.S.C. 162, using appropriations from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 ($20 million, enacted December 29, 2022) and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (an additional $7.5 million, enacted March 8, 2024).
How many awards does FHWA expect to make?
FHWA anticipates making roughly 30 to 40 awards in this cycle.
Is there a minimum or maximum award amount?
The opportunity listing indicates an award ceiling of $4,000,000, but the program summary also states there is no formal minimum or maximum award size. Applicants are expected to propose budgets that match the scope and readiness of the project and align with the NOFO requirements.
What kinds of projects are eligible under NSBP?
NSBP supports a broad range of byway-related activities described in 23 U.S.C. 162(c). Examples described in the opportunity summary include:
- Improving access to recreation sites
- Developing byway facilities
- Construction and other capital improvements
- Creating or updating corridor management plans
- Certain highway improvements tied to the byway
- Interpretive and educational information (signage, kiosks, exhibits, and related visitor content)
- Marketing and promotional programs
- Protection of scenic, historic, cultural, natural, archaeological, and recreational resources along the corridor
- Safety improvements
- Building or enhancing State and Tribal scenic byway programs
- Tourist information initiatives
What is the overall purpose or theme FHWA is trying to fund?
Projects should strengthen the visitor experience and stewardship of the byway while helping communities highlight and protect the corridor's distinctive resources.
What is the standard Federal cost share and match requirement?
The standard cost share allows the Federal government to cover up to 80 percent of total eligible project costs, with a 20 percent non-Federal match.
Is the 80 percent Federal share guaranteed?
No. The 80 percent figure is described as a cap, not a guarantee. Applicants should plan budgets and matching strategies accordingly and follow the detailed rules in the NOFO.
Are there any exceptions to the 20 percent non-Federal match requirement?
Yes. For projects on public roads that provide access to or are within Federal or Indian lands, a Federal Land Management Agency may be able to use its own authorized funds as the non-Federal share.
How do applicants submit an application?
Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov.
What is the application deadline for this funding round?
The deadline is Monday, December 16, 2024, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
Is there an informational webinar for this opportunity?
Yes. FHWA scheduled an informational webinar for Thursday, October 10, 2024, from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM Eastern Time, with registration through the provided ZoomGov link.
Do applicants need to review the NOFO, and where is it located?
Yes. Applicants are expected to review the full Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to understand required application components, documentation or certifications, eligibility nuances, project selection criteria, and submission instructions. The NOFO is referenced as being available in the opportunity's "Related documents" section.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this NSBP round?
The Funding Opportunity Number is 693JJ324NF00029.
What is the Assistance Listing (CFDA) number?
The Assistance Listing/CFDA number is 20.205.
What type of funding instrument is used?
The funding instrument is a grant.
Is this a formula program or a discretionary opportunity?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity.
Which Federal agency administers this grant?
The program is administered by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) within the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is Transportation.
If a local or regional organization has a byway project idea, what is the typical path to apply?
They generally need to coordinate with an eligible applicant (a State DOT or a federally recognized Indian Tribe) so that the eligible entity submits the application and serves as the official grant recipient, while partners participate in project development and delivery as appropriate.
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