FY23 National Network Cooperative Agreement to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation | FR AMT 23 002

Opportunity Information: Apply for FR AMT 23 002

The FY23 National Network Cooperative Agreement to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation is a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) funding opportunity under the U.S. Department of Transportation that provides a single, targeted award to Amtrak to support the national passenger rail network. The opportunity is authorized by the Continuing Appropriations and Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-180) and by 49 U.S.C. 24319(e)(2). In practical terms, it is a discretionary cooperative agreement designed to route federal financial assistance directly to Amtrak for core, systemwide needs rather than to run a broad competition among multiple applicants.

The total funding amount available under this opportunity is $305,862,572, which also serves as the award ceiling. The FRA expects to make one award, and eligibility is effectively limited to Amtrak (the listing of eligible applicants as "Others" is clarified in the opportunity text, which indicates the funds are to be made available to Amtrak). The funding falls under the transportation activity category and is associated with CFDA number 20.315.

The purpose of the funding is to cover three major categories of Amtrak financial requirements: Operating expenses, Capital needs, and Debt Service. This structure is meant to support both day-to-day continuity of service and longer-term investment needs, while also helping Amtrak meet financial obligations related to borrowing or other debt arrangements. The funds are available for use through December 31, 2025, or until they are fully expended, whichever comes first. That availability window matters because it gives Amtrak flexibility to plan spending across multiple fiscal years while still keeping a firm end date for eligibility.

Because the instrument is a cooperative agreement, the arrangement typically implies more active federal involvement than a standard grant, such as additional oversight, coordination, or ongoing federal participation in certain aspects of performance or compliance. The opportunity is identified by Funding Opportunity Number FR AMT 23 002, with a creation date of December 15, 2022, and an original closing date of December 23, 2022 (with no explanation provided for any extension, implying it closed as scheduled).

To receive the funds, Amtrak must submit a complete grant application package electronically. The required components are clearly spelled out and include: (a) the Application for Federal Assistance (SF-424), which is the standard form used to request federal funding; (b) a Statement of Work describing the activities and how the funding will be used; (c) a narrative description of the current status of efforts to improve safety culture, signaling that FRA is seeking visibility into organizational safety improvements alongside financial support; (d) SF-424B, the Assurances for Non-Construction Programs, covering compliance obligations for non-construction activities; (e) SF-424D, the Assurances for Construction Programs, covering compliance obligations when construction-related activities are involved; and (f) signed copies of the FRA Assurances and Certification forms required by the Department of Transportation, available at the provided FRA link. Together, these documents establish the legal and programmatic basis for awarding and administering the funds, while also ensuring Amtrak certifies compliance with applicable federal requirements.

Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a dedicated federal funding mechanism intended to stabilize and support Amtrak's national network through a defined pool of appropriated funding, paired with standard federal application forms, formal assurances, and a specific emphasis on documenting progress toward a stronger safety culture.

• The Department of Transportation, DOT - Federal Railroad Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY23 National Network Cooperative Agreement to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.315.
• This funding opportunity was created on Dec 15, 2022.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 23, 2022 No Explanation. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $305,862,572.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for FR AMT 23 002

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: