Grants

Fiscal Year 2026 Type 3 Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Competitive Grant Program: eligibility, deadline, and how to apply (2026)

Updated October 2026 5 min read

Key Facts

Agency
DOT Federal Highway Administration
Award Range
up to $25,000,000
Deadline
Closed 2026-07-16
Time Remaining
This cycle closed on 2026-07-16. Check grants.gov for the next cycle.
CFDA Number
20.198
Bottom line: The Fiscal Year 2026 Type 3 Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Competitive Grant Program provides up to $25,000,000 in funding through the DOT Federal Highway Administration. The purpose of the BIT3 Program is to fund the replacement or rehabilitation of county-owned bridges that are classified as Type 3 bridges by the U.S. Department of Interior Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) and cross a water conveyance structure owned by USBR.

The Fiscal Year 2026 Type 3 Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Competitive Grant Program is a federal funding opportunity administered by the DOT Federal Highway Administration. This guide covers everything you need to know to determine whether you qualify and how to submit a competitive application once the next cycle opens.

Use our free Grant Finder to discover additional programs you may be eligible for based on your organization type and location.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify for the Fiscal Year 2026 Type 3 Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Competitive Grant Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Counties owning a bridge structure classified as Type 3 by USBR and that crosses a water conveyance structure owned by USBR are eligible to apply under this NOFO. USBR structures, facilities, and lands are located in the 17 Western United States of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

Eligibility requirements can change between funding cycles. Always verify the current criteria on the official Grants.gov listing before beginning your application.

Not sure your organization qualifies? Run the free Grant Finder check → or compare other Infrastructure & Transportation programs by who can apply.

How to apply: step by step

  1. Register on SAM.gov. Every federal grant applicant needs an active SAM (System for Award Management) registration. Allow 2-4 weeks for new registrations to process. Existing registrations must be renewed annually.
  2. Get a UEI number. Your Unique Entity Identifier is assigned through SAM.gov and replaces the old DUNS number. You will need this on every federal application.
  3. Review the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Download the full NOFO from the Grants.gov listing. Pay close attention to review criteria, budget limits, and required attachments.
  4. Prepare your application package. Most federal grants require a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capacity statement, and supporting documents. Follow the page limits and formatting rules exactly.
  5. Submit through Grants.gov. Create a workspace, upload all required forms and attachments, and submit once the next cycle opens. The system timestamps your submission, and late applications are automatically rejected.
  6. Confirm receipt. Keep the tracking number or confirmation email, and check back in 1-2 business days that your application passed the validation checks.

For detailed guidance on writing a winning narrative, see our grant writing tips article.

Grant details

Detail Information
Grant Name Fiscal Year 2026 Type 3 Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Competitive Grant Program
Funding Agency DOT Federal Highway Administration
CFDA Number 20.198
Award Minimum Not published
Award Maximum $25,000,000
Deadline Closed 2026-07-16
Category Infrastructure & Transportation
Matching Required No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated for this program
Application Link Apply on Grants.gov

Federal grant budgets and priorities shift each fiscal year. The amounts listed above reflect the most recent funding cycle. For the latest figures, check the official program page.

If you are exploring business financing beyond grants, the team at CeoCult covers loans, lines of credit, and alternative funding for founders.

Get the free grant eligibility screener worksheet (PDF)

Check your fit for Infrastructure & Transportation grants like this one before you apply: eligibility, match and registration in one worksheet.

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for the Fiscal Year 2026 Type 3 Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Competitive Grant Program?

Counties owning a bridge structure classified as Type 3 by USBR and that crosses a water conveyance structure owned by USBR are eligible to apply under this NOFO. USBR structures, facilities, and lands are located in the 17 Western United States of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. Requirements can change between cycles, so always verify on the official Grants.gov listing before applying.

What is the deadline for Fiscal Year 2026 Type 3 Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Competitive Grant Program?

The current deadline is closed on 2026-07-16; the next cycle has not been posted. Many federal grants operate on annual or rolling cycles. If this deadline has passed, check the Grants.gov listing for the next funding opportunity.

Does Fiscal Year 2026 Type 3 Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Competitive Grant Program require matching funds?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is indicated for this program. Matching requirements can vary by fiscal year and applicant type, so confirm with the funding agency before committing resources.