Funding Resources | Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency

Below is a list of funding programs available to entities within the NOACA region that are related to NOACA’s core planning areas – transportation, infrastructure, environment, climate, and economic development. Please note that NOACA is not the main contact for some of these programs, and questions should be directed to the agency who is responsible for managing each program. If you see errors or know of additional programs, please contact us at govaffairs@mpo.noaca.org or 216-241-2414 ext. 275.

Funding Sources

NOACA programs for Northeast Ohio Communities

PROGRAM	SOURCE	CATEGORY
Congestion Mitigation & Air Quality Program (CMAQ)	NOACA	Transportation, Air Quality
Enhanced Mobility for Seniors and Individuals with Disabilities (Section 5310)	NOACA	Transportation
Transportation for Livable Communities Initiative (TLCI)	NOACA	Transportation

Federal Economic Development Assistance - continuously available

State Funding Programs

PROGRAMS	SOURCE	CATEGORY
H2Ohio	State (Ohio EPA)	Water Quality
Lake Erie Protection Fund	State (Ohio EPA)	Water Quality
Local Major Bridge Program	State (ODOT)	Transportation
Brownfield Remediation Program	State (Ohio Department of Development	Brownfields, Economic Development
Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program	State (Ohio Department of Development	Brownfields, Economic Development
All Ohio Future Fund	State (Ohio Department of Development	Economic Development
Coastal Management Assistance Grants	State (Ohio DNR)	Water Quality
Clean Ohio Trail Fund	State (Ohio DNR)	Climate and Environment, Transportation
H2Ohio Statewide Wetland Grant Program	State (Ohio DNR)	Water Quality
NatureWorks	State (Ohio DNR)	Climate and Environment
Recreational Trails Program	State (Ohio DNR)	Transportation
Grade Crossing Elimination Program	State (ODOT)	Transportation
Major Bridge Program	State (ODOT)	Transportation
Highway Safety Improvement Program	State (ODOT)	Transportation
State Infrastructure Bank	State (ODOT)	Transportation
Municipal Bridge Program	State (ODOT)	Transportation
Clean Ohio Green Space Conservation Program	State (Ohio Public Works Commission)	Environment
State Capital Improvement Program	State (Ohio Public Works Commission)	Transportation & Water Quality
Local Transportation Improvement Program	State (Ohio Public Works Commission)	Transportation

Currently Available Funding Opportunities

Below is a list of currently available funding opportunities related to transportation, infrastructure, environment, climate, and economic development - listed in order of application deadlines. This list is not exhaustive but is meant to highlight funding opportunities known to NOACA that may be of interest to communities in Northeast Ohio. NOACA will update this list as new funding opportunities become available, so please check back regularly.

The League of American Bicyclists is now accepting applications for Community Spark Grants. These grants are mini-grants intended to spur quick, easily implementable programs to support bicycling and bicyclists, including pop-up infrastructure, end-of-trip facilities, classes and educational opportunities, and bike-related equipment giveaways. These grants are supported by General Motors, and half of the awards will go to communities hosting GM facilities, which include Parma, Cleveland, and adjacent cities. Awards of up to $2,000 are available, and applications are due by January 27, 2026.
The Ohio EPA is now accepting applications for the H2Ohio Rivers Initiative Chloride Reduction Program. These funds will support upgrades to road salt application equipment and storage facilities with the goal of making improvements to storage and providing tools to reduce over-application of deicing materials to protect and prevent chloride from impacting surface and ground water resources. Up to $75,000 in reimbursement grants are available for eligible entities located in high-priority areas for protection for highly vulnerable aquifers and streams; a map of eligible locations is available here. Applications are due on February 6, 2026.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has opened applications for the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program. This program makes over $5 billion available for passenger rail projects that enhance safety, improve performance, or expand or establish intercity passenger rail service. Eligible applicants include states, public agencies, and local governments. Applications are due February 6, 2026. For this funding opportunity, please note that regional priority and support will be given to projects listed on NOACA's Regional Strategy for Coordinating Funding Opportunities. Reach out to us with questions at govaffairs@mpo.noaca.org.
The U.S Department of Transportation has opened applications for the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program. This program (formerly known as RAISE) funds projects that will have a significant local or regional impact and improve transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges, public transit, rail, and ports. $1.5 billion dollars in total funding is available, with a maximum award size of $25 million. Applications are due on February 24, 2026. For this funding opportunity, please note that regional priority and support will be given to projects listed on NOACA's Regional Strategy for Coordinating Funding Opportunities. Reach out to us with questions at govaffairs@mpo.noaca.org.
The Maritime Administration is now accepting applications for the Port Infrastructure Development Program. This program funds projects that improve the safety, efficiency, or reliability of the movement of goods through ports or intermodal connections to ports, including marine terminal equipment, highway and rail connections to ports, digital infrastructure, and emissions mitigation measures, among other uses. $450 million in total funding is available, with applications due by February 28, 2026.

NOACA Regional Strategy to Coordinate Funding Opportunities: Bringing IIJA Transportation Grant Dollars to Northeast Ohio

Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)/Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) reauthorized the nation’s surface transportation programs for five years and provided new funding for various types of infrastructure investments. In total, this law authorized $1.2 trillion from 2022 – 2026. Half of these funds are for transportation infrastructure, with much of the funding distributed through competitive grants. Based on federal guidance recommending that regions prioritize their capital needs and develop a project pipeline, NOACA created the Regional Strategy for Coordinating Funding Opportunities (the “Strategy”) to match transportation-related IIJA funding opportunities to the region’s highest priorities – projects in NOACA’s Long-Range Plan (LRP), weNEO2050.

The Strategy highlights the active and upcoming Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOS) and provides a transparent and strategic approach to seeking federal transportation grant dollars, yet also provides flexibility to reflect changing needs and priorities. For the years 2025-2026, there remains a fair amount of federal funding to be awarded, and there are many open slots on NOACA’s Strategy. If a community is interested in applying for funding through an IIJA transportation grant program, please first check the Strategy to determine whether another project is already listed on the Strategy for the target year of application. If you would like to propose an update to the Strategy (adding or deleting a project, or changing the year of an intended application), please complete this form. If you are submitting a grant application for a project, please request a NOACA letter of support via the form below.

Letter of Support Request Form

To request a letter of support from NOACA for a funding application, please click here to provide us with the necessary information, including a template for the letter of support. Please request letters of support at least two weeks in advance.

Government Affairs Advice Portal

NOACA works with communities in the five-county region (Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, and Medina) to identify and coordinate funding for transportation, infrastructure, environment, climate, and economic development projects. For assistance with identifying appropriate funding opportunities, please email us at govaffairs@mpo.noaca.org.