Program Overview
The Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program (WCPP) is a competitive grant program with the goal of reducing Wildlife Vehicle Collisions (WVCs) while improving habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species.
In creating the WCPP, Congress found that there are more than 1,000,000 WVCs annually which present a danger to human safety and wildlife survival, cost over $8 billion, and result in approximately tens of thousands of serious injuries and hundreds of fatalities on U.S. roadways
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), enacted as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (Pub. L. 117-58, November 15, 2021) authorized $350 million total in Federal-aid contract authority funding for Federal Fiscal Years (FY) 2022 through 2026 to be awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT or the Department), through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), for the WCPP. The WCPP is authorized under Section 11123(b) of BIL and codified at 23 U.S.C. 171.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible entities for the WCPP are:
- State Departments of Transportation;
- Metropolitan Planning Organizations;
- Units of local government;
- Regional transportation authorities;
- Special purpose districts or public authorities with a transportation function;
- Indian tribes;
- Federal Land Management Agencies; and
- A group of any of the above entities.
See 23 U.S.C. 171(c) for more information on eligible applicants.
What kinds of projects are eligible?
The WCPP provides funding for construction and non-construction projects. See the WCPP Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Section B.4 for more information and a list of example projects (links are below).
Construction Projects include engineering, design, permitting, right-of-way acquisition, and other activities related to the construction of infrastructure improvements, such as the building of a wildlife crossing overpass or underpass.
Non-Construction projects include planning, research, and educational activities that are not directly related to construction of infrastructure improvements, such as a hot spot analysis of WVCs.
All projects should seek to protect motorists and wildlife by reducing the number of WVCs and improve habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species. See NOFO Section C.3.c for more information on eligible activities.
Project Prioritization
Projects that reduce WVCs and improve habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species will be prioritized.
See NOFO Section E.1 for application review criteria.
Grant Application
The call for applications is NOW OPEN.
DOT uses Grants.gov for receipt of all applications for this program's NOFO. Applicants must register and use the system to submit applications electronically. Applicants are encouraged to register in advance of the submission deadline and to register to receive notifications of updates/amendments to this NOFO. Approval of user registrations for the site may take multiple weeks. It is the Applicant's responsibility to monitor Grants.gov for any updates to this Notice.
Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov no later than 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on August 1, 2023 (the "application deadline"). Applicants are encouraged to submit applications in advance of the application deadline; however, applications will not be evaluated, and awards will not be made, until after the application deadline.
This FHWA website DOES NOT accept any applications.
Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
FY22-23 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for WCPP
Webinar Schedule
FHWA will host 2 webinars to assist applicants with applying to the WCPP.
Public Webinar: Wednesday April 26 1:30 – 3:00 pm ET
This webinar is intended to provide an overview of the WCPP, provide applicants with knowledge for applying to program, and clarify any questions associated with the application process. This webinar is free and open to the public. It is intended for a broad range of attendees, including representatives of entities eligible to receive funds under the WCPP, which are State Departments of Transportation, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, units of local governments, regional transportation authorities, special purpose districts of public authorities with a transportation function, Indian Tribes, and Federal Land Management Agencies.
| Slides | Recording |Passcode for Recording: VKuk4H&K
Tribal Webinar: Wednesday May 17 1:30 – 3:00 pm ET
This webinar is intended to provide an overview of the WCPP, provide Tribal applicants with knowledge for applying to program, and clarify any questions associated with the application process. This webinar is free and open to the public but will be intended for Tribal representatives eligible to receive funds under the WCPP.
Register here: https://usdot.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN__TOrab54SpW3845bKGXv5A
Registration is required to attend.
FHWA is committed to providing equal access to this event for all participants. If you need alternative formats or services because of a disability, please indicate that in your registration.
If you have any questions, please contact wildlifecrossings@dot.gov.
Webinars will be recorded and posted here.
Grant Resources
- WCPP Application Checklist
- DOT Navigator - Grant Application Resources
- FHWA Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Website
- USDOT Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Website
- FHWA Tribal Technical Assistance Program
- Grants.gov Learning Center and Applicant Training
FHWA staff can provide technical assistance and answer technical questions. FHWA staff cannot draft applications for applicants, or review applications in advance
Other Funding Opportunities
For other safety and conservation related Federal assistance you may refer to other programs including, but not limited to the following: