Are you ready?
The FY 2026 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Grant Program is expected to be announced by November 30, 2025, with an anticipated $1.5 billion available for projects. Highlights of the anticipated FY 2026 NOFO include:
- $75 million anticipated for planning grants
- $15 million anticipated for projects in Areas of Persistent Poverty and Disadvantaged Communities
- The eight merit criteria will remain the same; however, anticipate changes to the evaluation system rating
- Policy priorities are anticipated to be updated
The BUILD Program is highly competitive, with over a thousand applicants vying for funding on an annual basis. With a historical national success rate of approximately 9.4%, applicants face a rigorous selection process. In FY 2025, only 8.2% of California applicants were awarded BUILD grants. Of the 11 successful California projects, 2 were led by county governments.
BUILD Award History
| Fiscal Year | National Total Applicants | National Total Awards Issued | Number of CA Applicants | Number of CA Awards | Number of CA Counties Awarded |
| 2025 | 1,010 | 139 | 134 | 11 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1,048 | 148 | 112 | 4 | 0 |
| 2023 | 1,100 | 162 | 116 | 8 | 2 |
Early engagement and pre-application planning can significantly increase your application’s competitiveness. Over the lifetime of the program, CGI grant consultants have had nearly double the national success rate in securing BUILD awards. If you have any questions or want more information, please reach out to the CGI Grants Team at csacgrants@tfgnet.com.
Learn more about the program through last year’s TFG Profile and Summary.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Program is a highly competitive funding opportunity supporting innovative and transformative infrastructure projects. This funding supports critical roadway, transit, rail, maritime, and aviation infrastructure improvements that improve safety, reduce congestion, and spur economic growth.
