Press Release: 11/6/2025

MassDOT Announces Updates to Grant Central, Community Culvert and Unpaved Roads Programs

 

Grant Central Updates to Make it Easier for Municipalities to Apply for Grants

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

11/06/2025

MEDIA CONTACT

Jacquelyn Goddard, Director of Communications, MassDOT

 Phone

Call Jacquelyn Goddard, Director of Communications, MassDOT at (857) 368-8500

 Online

Email Jacquelyn Goddard, Director of Communications, MassDOT at jacquelyn.goddard@dot.state.ma.us

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Highway Division is announcing updates to Grant Central, a one-stop shop for MassDOT's municipal grant programs. Updates include launching two new grant programs and implementing a Fully Integrated Application (FIA), an all-in-one funding request application used for all of the MassDOT Highway Division’s competitive grant programs. Municipalities may now apply for design support and up to $1,000,000 in construction funding for a single transportation project. Multiple grant programs can be used to fund a single project based on size and scope. Applications are accepted twice per year.    

"Grant Central is a game-changer for municipal leaders. It's a one stop shop for leaders to find out what grant programs they have available to them and as a former mayor, I’m thrilled that we’re making it easier for municipal leaders to deliver for their communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “As an administration, we're committed to ensuring our 351 cities and towns can thrive, and these new grants and this application system will give them the resources and tools to do that."  

“Since its launch, Grant Central has set the standard for directing resources to communities to address unmet needs in all corners of the Commonwealth,” saidUndersecretary and State Highway Administrator Jonathan Gulliver.  “With the addition of two new grant programs and by raising the cap on construction funding, Grant Central takes that standard for how we support all 351 cities and towns to completely new heights.”  

Grant Central will now accept applications for two new programs, the Community Culverts Program, and the Unpaved Roads Program. The Community Culverts Program provides funding to municipalities and Tribal governments for culvert modernization, reconstruction, removal, repair, replacement, and resiliency and biodiversity improvements. The Unpaved Roads Program supports the maintenance, repair, and improvement of locally owned dirt and gravel roads across Massachusetts.   

"Communities across Massachusetts have been grappling with undersized culverts,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “This added funding and streamlined application will make it much easier for cities and towns to get the support they need. Massachusetts is expected to see a lot more rain in the years to come. We need infrastructure that’s ready to protect the livelihoods of our residents when the storm comes, while improving habitat for fish and wildlife. My team is proud to partner with MassDOT to make this happen.” 

Grant Central is a streamlined portal that manages MassDOT Highway Division’s eight municipal grant programs including the Chapter 90 Program, Complete Streets Funding Program, Shared Streets and Spaces Program, Municipal Pavement Program, Municipal Small Bridge Program, the Local Bottleneck Reduction Program, Community Culverts Program, and the Unpaved Roads Program.   

The new FIA combines the applications of all Highway Division competitive grant programs into one easy to use application. By utilizing unique logic, the application only asks relevant questions based on user inputs. Using the project scope, MassDOT matches the request to the appropriate funding program(s) for consideration. With FIA, municipalities no longer need to research which grant program to apply to or manage various program deadlines.    

Design is now an eligible expense for all FIA programs. Municipalities may apply for design funding up to $150,000 (unless working with a MassDOT-led designer through the Local Bottleneck Reduction, Community Culverts, or Small Bridge Programs, where design is fully funded). FIA also introduces an increased construction grant limit of $1,000,000 per award, regardless of funding source(s). Finally, equipment and materials grants are available through FIA up to $250,000.   

Applications will be accepted beginning November 6, 2025, and will close January 9, 2026, for the 2026 Fiscal Year.    

Grant Central streamlines MassDOT Highway Division grants, having all information for the eight municipal grant programs in one location at an organized, user-friendly, online portal. Municipal officials who visit the grants portal can read specific details about what each grant program requires for the application to be considered, along with grant contract amounts, deadlines for applications, and MassDOT contact information should officials have questions. This portal also introduces a public-facing grant award tracker, showcasing all grant awards on a map for greater transparency than ever before. Grant Central revolutionizes grant management for MassDOT and municipalities statewide.    

For more info on Grant Central and all MassDOT municipal grants, please visit: https://madothway.my.site.com/GrantCentral/s/