Grant Summary: MARAD Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP)

MARAD Discretionary Grant Opportunity

PIDP Application Deadline

• Friday, June 26, 2026

The Port Infrastructure Development Program provides a federal funding opportunity to improve safety, efficiency or reliability of the movement of goods through ports and intermodal connections to ports. The program is administered by the Maritime Administration (MARAD). 

This document provides a summary of the FY 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) issued by MARAD on March 25, 2026. More information on the program is available from MARAD.

Changes to the FY 2025 NOFO

• Revises the merit-based evaluation criteria
• Introduces new priorities for projects in Qualified Opportunity Zones, projects using innovative technology and projects supporting national multimodal freight goals
• Removes Workforce Development as an evaluation factor
• Requires port shore-power projects to clearly demonstrate how they improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of goods movement

Eligible Capital Projects

Eligible projects may be within the boundary of a port. It can also be outside the boundary of a port and directly related to port operations or to an intermodal connection to a port and improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of:

• The loading and unloading of goods at a port
• The movement of goods into, out of, around or within a port
• Operational improvements at a port
• Environmental and emissions mitigation measures
• Infrastructure that supports seafood and seafood-related businesses

Eligible Planning Projects

Eligible uses of planning funds include:

• Planning
• Feasibility Analysis
• Revenue Forecasting
• Environmental Review
• Permitting
• Preliminary Engineering and Design Work
• Development of Master Plans
• Emergency of Major Disaster Planning

Under the FY 2026 PIDP, right of way acquisition is considered a capital project and should include a timeline for construction.

MARAD may consider eligible pre-construction costs toward the non-federal cost-share requirement if incurred after the date of application submittal. An application may include components carried out by entities other than the applicant.

Although an activity may not include federal funding, MARAD requires all project components to be clearly described and presented. MARAD may award funds for a component, instead of the larger project.

Ineligible Projects

Projects ineligible for PIDP funding include:

• Improvements to federally owned facilities, except for projects involving port facilities on Tribal land where ownership or responsibility remains with the federal government
• Construction, reconstruction, recondition, or purchase of a vessel or any project within a small shipyard (unless determined otherwise by USDOT)
• Projects that fund workforce training unrelated to electrification technologies
• Fully automated cargo-handling equipment that would result in a net loss of port or terminal jobs (applicants proposing such equipment must demonstrate that no job losses with occur)

Funds Available, Award Size and Matching Requirements

A total of $488.6 million in funding is available to be awarded. Please refer to the NOFO for additional details on each funding stream.

There is no minimum award size for projects funded through the IIJA; however, projects funded through the FY 2026 Appropriations Act must request at least $1 million. Requests below this threshold will only be considered for IIJA funding and will not be eligible for the full funding pool. There is no maximum award size, subject to available funding and statutory limitations.

The program has the following funding requirements:

• Small Projects at Small Ports: At least 25% of funding, which is $122.2 million, with a maximum award size of $11.25 million
• Per State: No more than 25% of funding, which is $122.2 million
• Planning Projects: No more than 10% of funding reserved for Small Projects at Small Ports. No more than 10% of funding reserved for large projects

Previous PIDP grant recipients may apply for funding for additional project phases and must demonstrate progress toward schedule, budget and intended benefits. MARAD encourages unsuccessful FY 2025 applicants to reapply in FY 2026 after reviewing and addressing any new program requirements or criteria.

Eligible Applicants

The following entities are eligible to apply for funding through this program:

• A state
• A political subdivision of a state, or a local government
• A public agency or publicly chartered authority established by one or more states
• A special purpose district with a transportation function
• An Indian Tribe, or a consortium of Indian Tribes
• A multistate or multijurisdictional group of entities described above
• A lead entity described above jointly with a private entity or group of private entities, including the owners or operators of a facility, or collection of facilities at a port

Evaluation Criteria

MARAD will evaluate applications to determine technical merit and project benefits.

Merit Criteria

• Supporting National Multimodal Freight Goals
• Project Readiness
• Innovative Technology

Statutory Determinations

• Safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods
• Cost effectiveness
• Authority to carry out the project
• Available sufficient funding to meet match requirements
• Project will be completed without unreasonable delay
• Projects cannot be easily and efficiently completed without federal funding or financial assistance

Application Requirements

The following sections must be included in the application submission:

• Project narrative not to exceed 30 pages
• Benefit-cost analysis for large projects
• Supporting documentation, as applicable
• Funding commitment supporting documentation
• Standard forms as identified in the NOFO

Applications are due by Friday, June 26, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET.