The CIG Portal is FTA’s online submission platform for Capital Investment Grants (CIG) sponsors, designed to streamline the submission process and determine application completeness. Use of the portal is currently optional. CIG sponsors, in coordination with assigned TPE Team Leaders, may continue to submit applications via other methods (e.g. email, SharePoint). 

Please email FTACIGPortal@dot.gov for additional information or technical assistance.

Portal benefits for CIG project sponsors

• Centralized Hub: Submit Annual Report and Off-cycle rating applications. (Expanded capabilities for PD Entry, Engineering, LONP, and SSGA/FFGA arrive in 2027.)
• Drafting: Save application progress and documentation for completion later.
• Tracking: Receive automated updates and communicate directly with FTA reviewers.
• Quality Control: Use the built-in checklist to verify requirements before submission.

How to Apply

Step 1: Create a Login.gov account to securely sign into the FTA Application Portal.

Step 2: Register for the CIG Portal Application

Step 3: Choose the application type and upload all required documentation. FTA highly recommends utilizing the built-in quality control checklist to ensure a complete submission.

Step 4: Once submitted, the application will be assigned to FTA staff for an application completeness check. Applicants will receive automated email notifications if additional information is required or when status updates are provided.

Step 5: FTA downloads complete applications for internal review, rating, and approval as applicable. 

Application Types

Project Development (PD) Entry*: Requests accepted year-round. Note: Review times may increase in the fall of each year during FTA’s review of applications for the Annual Report on Funding Recommendations.

Rating Applications: Projects are rated against statutory criteria for grant eligibility. See FTA’s website for CIG Policy Guidance and evaluation framework.

1. Annual Report Rating: Submitted in the fall of each year for the Annual Report on Funding Recommendations.
2. Off-Cycle Rating: Submitted year-round. Sponsors may request to include off-cycle rating results in the upcoming Annual Report for funding recommendation consideration.
3. Engineering Entry*: Required for New Starts and Core Capacity projects to enter Engineering. Requires Medium rating or higher.
4. Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA)*: Final rating package for New Starts and Core Capacity projects.
5. Small Starts Grant Agreement (SSGA)*: Final rating package for Small Starts projects.

Letter of No Prejudice (LONP)*: Apply before incurring costs not covered by automatic preaward authority. Only for projects without a CIG grant.

* Capabilities not yet active; coming in 2027.