Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-2024 National Scenic Byways Program
🏛 DOT Federal Highway Administration
Can you apply?
This grant is for States and federally recognized Indian Tribes to implement projects on National Scenic Byways, All-American Roads, State scenic byways, or Tribal scenic byways. Other entities may partner but must apply through a State DOT or Tribal government as the official recipient. Eligible projects include implementation of improvements on designated scenic byways, as well as planning and design activities for State or Tribal scenic byway programs. This is a competitive grant program with a June 11, 2026 deadline.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
This grant is for States and federally recognized Indian Tribes to implement projects on National Scenic Byways, All-American Roads, State scenic byways, or Tribal scenic byways. Other entities may partner but must apply through a State DOT or Tribal government as the official recipient. Eligible projects include implementation of improvements on designated scenic byways, as well as planning and design activities for State or Tribal scenic byway programs. This is a competitive grant program with a June 11, 2026 deadline.
Program description
——— AMENDMENT 1 SYNOPSIS – POSTED 5/21/2026 ———-
This Amendment No. 1 amends the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 and 2024 National Scenic Byways Program (NSBP) NOFO announcement first published on September 17, 2024. This amended NOFO among other things amends the NOFO to align with the current Administration’s priorities and policies and provides an opportunity for prior applicants to update their applications in response to requested changes in the amendment. A redline version of the amended NOFO that identifies changes is provided in addition to the clean version. Applicants who applied for funding under the FY 2023-2024 NSBP NOFO in accordance with original NOFO requirements prior to the December 16, 2024 deadline will have up to 21 days from the posted date of Amendment No. 1 to retain, amend, or withdraw their original application. If no response is received by the deadline date, FHWA will retain and consider the previously submitted application under the amended NOFO criteria. Applicants are highly encouraged to review Amendment No. 1 in its entirety. Section E, Application Review Information, provides information on the application evaluation process. If amending the original NSBP application, the applicant does not need to resubmit a complete application. A package with amended material addressing the amended sections in the NOFO would suffice. Applicants who applied under the FY 2023-2024 NSBP NOFO should send their response and the amended application (as applicable), to scenicbyways@dot.gov, with a copy to Bronwen.Keiner@dot.gov and Edward.Starks@dot.gov by June 11, 2026, 11:59:59 PM ET. If no response is received by the deadline date, FHWA will retain and consider the previously submitted application. See Related Document section for copy of amended NOFO.
NOTE: Please refer to the “Related documents” tab for the full text of the NOFO. It is incumbent on interested applicants to fully review the NOFO document, as amended, and understand program and submission requirements.
——— BASE NOFO SYNOPSIS – POSTED 9/17/2024 – SUPERSEDED BY AMENDMENT 1 ———-
FHWA is accepting applications for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023-2024 National Scenic Byways Program.
SUMMARY OVERVIEW OF KEY INFORMATION:
This grant opportunity will result in the award of up to $26.95 million of FY 2023 and FY 2024 funds in grants to States and federally recognized Tribes to implement eligible projects on highways designated as National Scenic Byways, All-American Roads (collectively America’s Byways®), State scenic byways, or Indian Tribe scenic byways; and plan, design, and develop a State or Indian Tribe scenic byway program.
The purpose of the NSBP is to help recognize, preserve, and enhance selected roads throughout the United States. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, enacted on December 29, 2022, appropriated $20 million, and the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024, enacted on March 8, 2024, appropriated an additional $7.5 million in Highway Infrastructure Program funds for the NSBP under 23 U.S.C. 162. Section 162 provides that grants and technical assistance be made available to State DOTs or Indian Tribes to (a) implement eligible projects on highways designated as National Scenic Byways, All-American Roads (collectively America’s Byways®), State scenic byways, or Indian Tribe scenic byways; and (b) plan, design, and develop a State or Indian Tribe scenic byway program. Eligible projects include access to recreation, byway facilities, construction, corridor management plans, highway improvements, interpretive information, marketing programs, resource protection, safety improvements, State and Indian Tribe scenic byway programs, and tourist information. Eligible projects are listed at 23 U.S.C. 162(c).
AWARD SIZE: There is no minimum or maximum award size. FHWA anticipates awarding between 30-40 grants.
COST SHARING: The Federal share of the cost of carrying out a project under this section shall be 80 percent, except that, in the case of any scenic byway project along a public road that provides access to or within Federal or Indian land, a Federal Land Management Agency (FLMA) may use funds authorized for use by the agency as the non-Federal share.” The phrase “80 percent” means up to 80 percent of total eligible project costs.
APPLICATION SUBMISSION METHOD: Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by Monday, December 16, 2024 at 11:59PM (Eastern).
NOFO INFORMATIONAL WEBINAR: FHWA plans to conduct outreach regarding the NSBP in the form of a virtual meeting on Thursday, October 10, 2024, (3:00pm-4:30pm Eastern Time).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Details
This grant is for States and federally recognized Indian Tribes to implement projects on National Scenic Byways, All-American Roads, State scenic byways, or Tribal scenic byways. Other entities may partner but must apply through a State DOT or Tribal government as the official recipient. Eligible projects include implementation of improvements on designated scenic byways, as well as planning and design activities for State or Tribal scenic byway programs. This is a competitive grant program with a June 11, 2026 deadline.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Project narrative describing eligible scenic byway project or program
- Budget and cost-share documentation
- Letters of commitment from cost-share partners
- Project location and scope maps
- Environmental and planning documentation as applicable
- Evidence of tribal recognition (if applicant is Indian Tribe)
Program contact
- 👤 Ryan J Buck Agreement Officer
- 📧 scenicbyways@dot.gov
- 📞 202-366-4229
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 20.205 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$635,177,703
-
$619,100,074
-
$533,192,000
-
$488,422,692
-
$480,295,260
-
$446,503,594
-
$432,785,124
-
$417,644,437
-
$415,030,126
-
$400,000,000
Top States by Funding
- TX 25 awards $6,354.3M
- CA 14 awards $2,964.4M
- FL 9 awards $2,498.8M
- NC 7 awards $1,467.4M
- NY 4 awards $799.9M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply?
States and federally recognized Indian Tribes are the only eligible recipients. Other entities must partner through a State DOT or Tribal government.
What types of projects can be funded?
Projects on National Scenic Byways, All-American Roads, State scenic byways, or Tribal scenic byways. Planning, design, and development of scenic byway programs are also eligible.
Is cost-sharing required?
Yes, cost-sharing is required for this grant program.
What is the funding range?
Up to approximately $27 million total is available for FY 2023 and 2024 funds combined.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is June 11, 2026. Amendment 1 allows prior applicants 21 days from May 21, 2026 to amend applications.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Review Amendment 1 (posted May 21, 2026) carefully, as it aligns the program with current Administration priorities. Prior applicants can update their applications.
- Ensure your State DOT or Tribal government is the official applicant, even if other partners collaborate on the project.
- Clearly demonstrate how your project preserves, recognizes, or enhances a designated scenic byway.
- Include a realistic cost-share commitment from your State or Tribe. This strengthens competitiveness.
- Contact scenicbyways@dot.gov early with questions about project eligibility or amendment requirements.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Submitting applications from ineligible entities rather than State DOTs or Tribal governments. Not budgeting adequate cost-share or failing to document how it will be secured. Proposing projects not located on eligible scenic byways or lacking clear preservation and enhancement goals.
Similar grants
- OPEN 27-0343-10 FFY27 Local Agency General Non-Enforcement — Illinois Department of Transportation
- ROLLING Annual Agency Threshold Application Applicants for Funding Start Here — Texas City of Austin - Austin Public Health
- ROLLING Preservation Trust Fund – Easement Assistance – (PTF-EA) — Virginia Outdoors Foundation
- CLOSED Virginia’s Black Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) Grant – FY26 — Virginia The Virginia Department of Historic Resources
- ROLLING RTAP Grant Program (Rolling) — Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation