Port Infrastructure Development Program

The Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP), administered by the Maritime Administration (MARAD) under the U.S. Department of Transportation, offers critical support for the enhancement and modernization of port infrastructure across the United States. The program aligns with federal efforts to bolster the nation's transportation network, ensuring the safe, efficient, and reliable movement of goods. With a funding allocation of $450,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, PIDP reflects a substantial federal investment in strengthening intermodal freight systems, reducing congestion, and supporting economic competitiveness. The primary objective of the PIDP is to support projects that improve the movement of goods through ports and their intermodal connections. The funding supports a range of development activities, including planning, environmental review, and construction. However, funding restrictions apply: no more than 25% ($112.5 million) of total funds may be awarded within any one state, and at least 25% must be reserved for small projects at small ports as defined under 46 U.S.C. 54301(b). Additionally, development phase activities that do not culminate in construction are limited to a maximum of 10% of applicable funds. Applicants must ensure their projects align with these rules, particularly if they are seeking funding for small ports or development-only phases. A single award to a small project at a small port is capped at $11,250,000. Generally, the federal share of total project costs must not exceed 80%, although exceptions can be made for rural areas or qualifying small port projects, where a higher federal share may be authorized at the Secretary’s discretion. Eligible applicants include a wide range of governmental and quasi-governmental entities such as state and local governments, special district governments with transportation functions, federally recognized Indian Tribes, and multi-jurisdictional groups. In some cases, public entities may apply jointly with private entities. All applicants must have an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM), possess a valid Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), and maintain compliance with federal requirements throughout the application process. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on March 27, 2026. Applicants should allocate sufficient time to complete SAM and Grants.gov registration, which can take 2–4 weeks. Only one application per entity is permitted, although a project may include multiple functionally related components. MARAD will consider only the most recent submission if multiple applications are received. Applicants may refer to the PIDP program office for further details. Contact can be made via email at [email protected] or by calling Aubrey Parsons at 202–366–8047. The funding announcement was first posted on December 23, 2025, and the original closing date of February 28, 2026, was extended to March 27, 2026. The announcement clearly states that recurring cycles may be expected, suggesting an annual funding cadence, with future rounds likely in March 2027 and beyond. Award announcements and subsequent performance periods will be governed by applicable federal guidelines and timelines.

Submit only one application per project; early SAM and Grants.gov registration critical; include functionally connected components only.