Bridges & Structures

National Culvert Removal, Replacement & Restoration Grants

The National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grant Program (Culvert Aquatic Organism Passage (AOP) Program) is a competitive grant program that awards grants to eligible entities for projects for the replacement, removal, and repair of culverts or weirs that meaningfully improve or restore fish passage for anadromous fish. Anadromous is the term that describes fish born in freshwater who spend most of their lives in saltwater and return/migrate to freshwater to spawn.

See National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grants (Culvert AOP Program) (PDF)

The Culvert AOP Program is USDOT’s primary means to fund AOP projects. Projects may be administered by various USDOT Operating Administrations, such as FHWA, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), or the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), depending on the nature of the project.

Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)

On June 2, 2026, FHWA announced the availability of up to $800M for FY2023 through FY2026  Culvert AOP grants as part of the FY23-26 Culvert AOP NOFO. The deadline to apply for FY23 through FY26 funding via Grants.gov is Thursday, July 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., EDT.

Applying for a Grant

DOT uses Grants.gov for receipt of all applications for the Culvert AOP Program. Applicants must register and use the system to submit applications electronically. Applicants are encouraged to register in advance of the submission deadline and to register to receive notifications of updates and amendments to this NOFO. Approval of user registrations for the site may take multiple weeks. It is the Applicant's responsibility to monitor Grants.gov for any updates to this Notice.

The deadline for FY 2023 to FY 2026 funding applications is Thursday, July 16, 2026.

This FHWA website DOES NOT accept any applications.

What kinds of projects are eligible?

The Culvert AOP Program focuses on two project categories as differentiated by structure type:

1. Projects to replace, remove, or repair culverts that would meaningfully improve or restore fish passage for anadromous fish (49 U.S.C. 6703(b)(1)).
2. Projects to replace, remove, or repair weirs that would meaningfully improve or restore fish passage for anadromous fish. With respect to weirs, the project may include: 1) infrastructure to facilitate fish passage around or over the weir; and 2) weir improvements (49 U.S.C. 6703(b)(2)).

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible entities for the Culvert AOP Program include Tribes, States, and units of local government (49 U.S.C. 6703(c)).

What are cost shares for Culvert AOP Program grants?

Indian Tribes

The Culvert AOP Program does not require Indian Tribes to provide a cost share.

States and Units of Local Government

Per 49 U.S.C. § 6703(f), for grants to States or units of local government, the Federal share of the cost of a project is 80 percent . Recipients are required to contribute a local matching share of no less than 20 percent of eligible activities of the total project costs.

What is project prioritization?

Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 6703(e), the following types of projects will be prioritized for Culvert AOP Program funding:

1. Projects that would improve fish passage for:
1. Anadromous fish stocks listed as an endangered species or a threatened species under section 4 of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. § 1533);
2. Anadromous fish stocks identified by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) that could reasonably become listed as an endangered species or a threatened species under that section;
3. Anadromous fish stocks identified by the NMFS or USFWS as prey for endangered species, threatened species, or protected species, including Southern resident orcas (Orcinus orcas); or
4. Anadromous fish stocks identified by the NMFS or the USFWS as climate resilient stocks; and
2. Projects that would open up more than 200 meters of upstream anadromous habitat before the end of the natural habitat

Grant Resources

• Culvert AOP Application Template (this is NOT the application)
• Culvert AOP Questions and Answers
• Culvert Project Location Overlay Tool
• DOT Navigator - Grant Application Resources
• FHWA Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Website
• USDOT Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Website

Other funding opportunities

While Congress created the Culvert AOP program solely to address anadromous species, the FHWA recognizes that many other species would benefit from AOP improvements. For additional culvert or fish passage Federal assistance, you may refer to other programs including, but not limited to, the following:

• FHWA's Bridge Investment Program
• FHWA's PROTECT Program
• FHWA's Tribal Transportation Program
• NOAA's Office of Habitat Conservation's Restoration Center fish passage initiatives
• USFWS' National Fish Passage Program

Archival Materials

• Year One (FY 2022) NOFO and Grant Materials
• Year Two NOFO Webinars
  • Webinar #1: How to Apply for National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grants: General Overview
    7/15/2024 - 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. EDT
    [Recording] (Passcode: +XPZ@iM5)
  • Webinar #2: National Culvert Removal, Replacement, and Restoration Grants FY2023 – FY2026: General Overview for Tribal Governments
    8/22/2024 - 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. EDT
    [Recording] (Passcode: 77*SQ7rW)

• General Terms and Conditions
• Exhibits to Grant Agreements