Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program

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.

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 types of projects are eligible?

The WCPP provides funding for construction and non-construction projects.

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.

Project Prioritization

Projects that reduce WVCs and improve habitat connectivity for terrestrial and aquatic species will be prioritized.

Non-Federal Share (Match) Requirements

All projects and applicants are subject to the cost share requirements of 23 U.S.C. § 120. In general, applicants must provide at least 20 percent of the total project cost. The match must come from non-Federal sources unless specifically authorized by Congress.

There are some exceptions to the general matching share requirement of 20%

· Certain safety projects may have a 100% Federal share (23 U.S.C. § 120(c)(1)).
· Projects on Interstates may generally have a 90% Federal share (23 U.S.C. § 120(a)(1)).
· Projects in States containing Federal and nontaxable Indian lands may have a Federal share greater than 80% (known as a sliding scale Federal share) (23 U.S.C. § 120(b)).
· Federal Lands Transportation Program (FLTP) and Tribal Transportation Program (TTP) funds may be used as non-Federal match for any project that provides access to or within Federal or Tribal land (23 U.S.C. § 120(k)).

Applications should provide documentation of their ability to meet the applicable matching share to be eligible to receive an award (see NOFO Section C.2.). Applicants should describe the source of the matching share in the application’s budget narrative, along with any conditions or restrictions on the match (see NOFO Section D.2.c.ii). FHWA will review the availability of matching funds in determining an application’s Financial Completeness (see NOFO Section E.1.c). If selected to receive a WCPP grant, applicants must first execute a grant agreement with FHWA before receiving WCPP funds (see NOFO Section F.1). This grant agreement will include the approved budget for the project, including the project’s non-Federal share and the source for that share

For more information on match see:

https://www.transportation.gov/grants/dot-navigator/understanding-non-federal-match-requirements

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bipartisan-infrastructure-law/fedshare_fact_sheet.cfm

https://highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/wildlife-crossings/questions-answers

Grant Application

The application period is CLOSED for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024- 2025.

The application period for FY 2026 will open on May 1, 2025 and close on August 1, 2025 at 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time.

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.

Link to opportunity in Grants.gov: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/354738

This FHWA website DOES NOT accept any applications.

See the WCPP FY22-23 Selections for previous grant program selections.

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

Fiscal Year 2024- 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program (WCPP)

The FY 2024 – 2026 NOFO includes 2 application periods. The FY 2024- 2025 application period closed on September 4, 2024. The FY 2026 application period is from May 1, 2025 to August 1, 2025.

Attachment A: Wildlife Crossings Pilot Program Application Checklist

Webinars

FHWA hosted 2 webinars to assist applicants with applying to the Wildlife Crossing Pilot Program (WCPP) Fiscal Year (FY) 2024- 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The FY 2024 – 2026 NOFO and associated webinars address 2 application periods: FY 2024- 2025, and FY 2026.

Public Webinar: Tuesday June 18 12:00 – 1:30 pm ET

Recording: https://usdot.zoomgov.com/rec/share/a7xnd9UrtI24HT2CeUenyjtfedSGXj3KCYi-fbmaNHtGvWgLYQK6pfgbW0u8PdgY.d4_ZBUKmqflSd0wI

Passcode: 0k&J6xY8

Webinar Slides

Tribal Webinar: Tuesday June 25 1:30 – 3:00 pm ET

Recording: https://usdot.zoomgov.com/rec/share/TuwbUg3wjClk_TNYjgeSczfqfUXEF5eZ0ZB2GIoMgClMuDwJgWT0ConBfVzcKSBv.v8wshtcsL0-iEDir

Passcode: !DjY2r#2

Webinar Slides

Grant Resources

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: