The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration has announced the availability of at least $488.6 million in fiscal year 2026 funding through the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP).
The funding comes from the $2.25 billion allocated to the program over five years through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, along with an additional $38.6 million appropriated for discretionary grants in this funding round. A quarter of the available funding will be set aside for small port projects.
The program will fund a range of port improvement projects, including efforts to improve the movement of goods, modernize infrastructure, improve logistics efficiency and support the nation’s seafood industry.
Eligible applicants include port authorities, state and local governments, indigenous tribes, counties and other public entities. Applications are due by June 26, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern time. While the program typically funds up to 80% of project costs, the federal share may be higher for projects at small or rural ports.
Previous PIDP funding has supported projects including berth and dock improvements, intermodal connectors, dredging, storage facilities and cargo handling equipment to improve freight movement through U.S. ports. For fiscal year 2026, the Maritime Administration said revised evaluation criteria will place additional emphasis on projects located in Qualified Opportunity Zones, projects that incorporate innovative technology and projects that advance national multimodal freight goals.
Additional information about the funding opportunity and application requirements is available on the Maritime Administration’s website.
Photo by David Dibert from Pexels
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