Grant Summary: FRA Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program

CRISI Application Deadline

• Monday, June 22, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET

The Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program, administered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), provides funding for fiscal years (FY) 2025 and 2026 for projects that improve railroad safety, efficiency and reliability; mitigate congestion at intercity passenger rail and freight rail checkpoints; enhance multimodal connections; and restore and modernize core rail infrastructure.

This document summarizes eligible projects, eligible applicants, funding categories, award size and matching requirements, evaluation criteria, and application requirements. Please refer to the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for more information.

Eligible Projects

Eligible projects include a variety of rail and rail-related projects that produce public benefits such as enhancements to rail safety, upgrading operating capacities, creating a state of good repair or addressing congestion challenges affecting rail service. They are not required to be in the state’s rail plan. Project types include the following:

• Deployment of railroad safety technology, including positive train control (PTC) and rail integrity inspection systems
• Capital rail projects that address safety, congestion, state of good repair or service reliability.
• Highway-rail grade crossing improvements and rail line relocation or improvement projects.
• Capital projects to improve short-line or regional railroad infrastructure.
• Regional rail and corridor service deployment plans and associated environmental analyses.
• Project enhancing multimodal connections or service integration with rail.
• Rail safety programs or institutes.
• Measures to prevent trespassing and reduce related injuries and fatalities.
• Rail-related research, development and testing.
• Workforce development and training initiatives.
• Emergency plans for communities through which hazardous materials are transported by rail.
• Rehabilitation, remanufacturing, procurement or overhaul of locomotives that achieve significant emissions reductions.

Capital projects must align with FRA’s Railroad Capital Project life cycle stages (e.g., planning, project development, final design, construction). Seeking funding for multiple stages is allowable, though FRA may obligate funding in phases by life cycle, with future life cycle stage obligations contingent upon satisfactory performance of previous work. Commuter rail projects are generally not eligible, except for otherwise eligible PTC-related projects.

Changes from FY 2023-2024 NOFO

Key changes in the FY 2025-2026 CRISI NOFO compared to the FY 2023-2024 funding cycle include the following:

• New total funding amount of approximately $2.04 billion (compared to approximately $2.5 billion in a prior cycle).
• Updated rural set-aside minimum (25%, $532.5 million).
• Removal of Justice40 and climate-specific evaluation language.
• Increased emphasis on project readiness, phased funding by life cycle stage and short-line rail investments.
• Added selection preference for projects requesting a federal share of 50% or less.
• Expanded application content and documentation requirements, including geospatial and life-cycle-based budgeting.

Eligible Applicants

The following entities are eligible to apply for CRISI funding:

• A state (including the District of Columbia) or group of states.
• An interstate compact.
• A public agency or publicly chartered authority established by one or more states.
• A political subdivision of a state.
• Amtrak or another rail carrier that provides intercity passenger rail transportation.
• A Class II or Class III railroad, including holding companies.
• An association representing one or more Class II or Class III railroads.
• A federally recognized Indian Tribe.
• A rail carrier or rail equipment manufacturer in partnership with an eligible public-sector applicant.
• The Transportation Research Board (TRB) or entities conducting rail-related research.
• A university transportation center engaged in rail-related research.
• A nonprofit labor organization representing rail carrier or rail contractor employees.

Applicants proposing highway-rail grade crossing projects are strongly encouraged to also apply under the Railroad Crossing Elimination (Crossing Safety) Program. Failure to do so may be considered a negative factor during evaluation.

Set-Asides

Up to $2.04 billion is available for awards under the FY 2025-2026 CRISI NOFO, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. FRA may make awards using funds from multiple fiscal years and reserves the right to award additional funding should it become available after publication of the NOFO.

• Rural Area Set-Aside: At least 25% of total program funding ($532.5 million minimum) is reserved for projects located in rural areas, defined as projects where all or the majority of funds are spent in rural locations.

Award Size and Matching Requirements

There are no predetermined minimum or maximum award amounts. The federal share of total project costs may not exceed 80%, requiring a minimum 20% non-federal cost share. FRA will give selection preference to projects requesting a federal share of 50% or less, where applicable, particularly for projects funded with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) advance appropriations.

Evaluation Criteria

FRA will evaluate all eligible and complete applications based on the following criteria:

• Project Readiness: Applicant preparedness, project agreements, environmental status and ability to deliver the project on schedule.
• Technical Merit: Appropriateness of the proposed approach, applicant qualifications, financial and legal capacity, and use of innovative technologies.
• Project Benefits: Anticipated safety or operational improvements, reliability and performance gains, congestion reduction, multimodal integration, and benefit-cost outcomes.

A benefit-cost analysis (BCA) is required for all applications, with submission requirements tailored to project type and life cycle stage.

Application Requirements

Applications must include a project narrative (not to exceed 25 pages), including a detailed statement of work, life-cycle-based project budgets, geospatial data and mapping, a benefit-cost analysis, and required federal forms. The FY 2025-2026 NOFO includes expanded documentation requirements related to project readiness, life cycle staging and financial information.

Our funding and finance, economics and grant professionals stand by ready to support and advise project sponsors applying for funding from the CRISI program.