Fiscal Year 2026 Intercity Passenger Rail Program

This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announces the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Intercity Passenger Rail (IPR) Grant Program, administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). With an expected total funding of $9.5 million, the program anticipates making a single award to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak)—the sole eligible entity—to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from acts of terrorism. The projected application period runs from June 24, 2026, to July 24, 2026, with a three-year period of performance from September 1, 2026, to August 31, 2029. There is no cost-share requirement. Proposed projects must align with designated FY 2026 National Priority Areas, which include enhancing the protection of soft targets, supporting Homeland Security Task Forces/fusion centers, enhancing cybersecurity, enhancing election security, and supporting border crisis response. Funding is also available for enduring needs such as planning, training, equipment, and exercises. Amtrak must submit its application through the FEMA GO system, including a detailed budget, an Operational Package Sustainability Plan (if applicable), and up to eight formal Investment Justifications (IJs) linked to core capabilities. Due to the sensitive nature of the information, all IJs must be labeled as Sensitive Security Information (SSI). Applications will be evaluated by an Executive Committee of FEMA and TSA subject matter experts based on feasibility, risk reduction, sustainability, and alignment with federal priorities, with final funding decisions made by the Secretary of Homeland Security.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) have released the Fiscal Year 2026 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Intercity Passenger Rail (IPR) Grant Program (Funding Opportunity Number: DHS-26-GPD-157-00-98). The program provides a single cooperative agreement award of $9.5 million to the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), which is designated as the sole eligible applicant. Subawards are not permitted. The primary objective of the FY 2026 IPR is to protect critical surface transportation infrastructure and the traveling public from terrorist threats. Funding is directed toward five annually designated National Priority Areas: enhancing the protection of soft targets/crowded places, supporting Homeland Security Task Forces and fusion centers, enhancing cybersecurity, enhancing election security, and supporting border crisis response and enforcement. Eligible project categories include planning, operational activities (such as canine and anti-terrorism teams), equipment and capital projects, training, and exercises. Applications must be submitted via the FEMA GO portal by July 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Applications require standard federal forms, detailed project budgets, and formal Investment Justifications (IJs). Due to the nature of the security details, all IJs must be labeled and handled as Sensitive Security Information (SSI). The projected three-year performance and budget period runs from September 1, 2026, through August 31, 2029. Management and administrative costs are capped at 5% of the total award. Recipient performance will be monitored through quarterly financial reports and semi-annual programmatic progress reports.