About IIJA

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Historic Investment in U.S. Infrastructure

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), will invest $1.2 trillion across the United States. IIJA supports investments in transportation, energy, broadband, water, and cybersecurity, and resilience.

Formula vs. Discretionary Grants

There are two types of IIJA funds: formula and discretionary.

About 60% of IIJA funding is considered formula (directed funds) that have specific federal requirements, while the remaining 40% is comprised of discretionary grants that have their own set of federal requirements. Those rules are set by legislation and/or the federal funding agency, and they vary by each program. Some programs under IIJA already have established guidelines, while other programs are still in development. This means that for some programs, the rules and/or funding availability have not yet been established.

The investment includes 400 formula and discretionary grant programs across 12 federal agencies.

IIJA Formula Funds: will expand statewide programs to strengthen and modernize infrastructure
IIJA Discretionary Funds: will allow Kansas communities to address their most pressing infrastructure challenges through competitive grant programs

Interested in Applying for IIJA Funds?

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IIJA Funds Across Sectors

Transportation

IIJA will invest $110 billion, nationally, to repair roads and bridges, expand public transit options, and more.

Water

IIJA will invest $55 billion, nationally, to improve the quality of drinking water, delivery systems, and more.

Energy

IIJA will invest roughly $65 billion, nationally, to upgrade the electrical grid, transmission lines, and more.

Broadband

IIJA will invest $65 billion, nationally, to help ensure every American has reliable access to high-speed internet and more.

Cybersecurity

IIJA will invest more than $1 billion, nationally, to strengthen cyber networks, defense mechanisms, and more.

Resiliency

IIJA will invest more than $50 billion, nationally, to protect against droughts, heat, wildfires, and more.

IIJA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Expand/Contract Questions and Answers

What's the difference between IIJA and BIL?
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) also has another name—the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).

IIJA was the original package presented to Congress. When it passed out of Congress and went to the President's desk for signature in November 2021 it became BIL. You’ll see BIL and IIJA used interchangeably—they mean the same thing.
What are discretionary grants?
Discretionary Grant Funds are competitive grant funds that an eligible entity can apply to receive.

Each BIL grant program (both new and existing) has specific guidelines that outline who is eligible, project types, spending expectations and other key aspects of the program. Guidelines associated with a grant are determined by the federal agency responsible for distributing those dollars.

Discretionary grant funds are merit based—meaning each grant application is scored based on the criteria provided and awards are made based on those scores. Not every grant application submitted will be awarded money. For many programs the applicant must provide matching funds.
What are formula grants?
Formula (or Directed) Funds are essentially guaranteed dollars. These funds are distributed from federal agencies to corresponding state agencies through existing and new programs. Though BIL, many existing programs are receiving more funding than they have previously.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to how formula funds can be used—it depends on the rules for each program.
What is a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)?
A Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) is a formal announcement from a federal agency about available funding. The announcement will invite applications and provide information such as eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria, funding preferences/priorities, application directions and the submission deadline.
What's an eligible entity?
“Eligible Entity” is a term used to identify who can receive funding.

Eligible entities vary across BIL programs; however, this information can be found for a specific grant in the Notice of Funding Opportunity for each grant program.

Historic Investment in U.S. Infrastructure

Formula vs. Discretionary Grants

Interested in Applying for IIJA Funds?

IIJA Funds Across Sectors

Transportation

Water

Energy

Broadband

Cybersecurity

Resiliency

IIJA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What's the difference between IIJA and BIL?

What are discretionary grants?

What are formula grants?

What is a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)?

What's an eligible entity?