The purposes of the RCN Program are 1) to advance community-centered transportation connection projects, with a priority for projects that benefit disadvantaged communities (See Section H.1. definitions), that improve access to daily needs such as jobs, education, healthcare, food, nature, and recreation, and foster equitable development and restoration, and 2) to provide technical assistance to further these goals.

The RCP Program provides technical assistance and grant funding for planning and capital construction to address infrastructure barriers, restore community connectivity, and improve people’s lives.

The NAE Program provides technical assistance and grant funding to improve walkability, safety, and affordable transportation access through context-sensitive strategies for improving community connectivity; mitigating or remediating negative impacts on the human or natural environment; and assisting economically disadvantaged or underserved communities with planning and capacity building activities. The RCN Program welcomes applications from eligible applicants from diverse local, Tribal, and regional communities regardless of size, location, and experience administering Federal funding awards.

To help streamline the process for applicants, the Department has combined the RCP and NAE Program applications into the RCN Program. The FY 2023 RCN Program awards will be made for each grant program as appropriate and consistent with each grant program’s statutory requirements. Applicants are encouraged to submit applications that meet the statutory requirements for both programs to maximize their potential for receiving Federal support. If you submit an application that only meets statutory requirements for one program, you will only be considered for that program. As long as they meet the statutory requirements, applicants for the RCN Program will be considered across both programs unless they opt out from consideration for one of the programs.