Community Project Funding Requests

The deadline to submit requests for Community Project Funding (CPF) has closed.

Requests for Fiscal Year 2026 can be found here.

Every year, Congress is responsible for allocating overall funding (“appropriations”) for offices, programs, and grants administered by the federal government. Representative Lieu has the opportunity to advocate for programs that are beneficial to California’s 36th Congressional District and the constituents he represents.

Questions can be directed to Congressman Lieu's staff at lieu.staff@mail.house.gov with the subject line FY26 CPF Question. 

Past Community Projects Secured by Representative Lieu: 

• Ten projects funded in FY22
• Fifteen projects funded in FY23
• Fifteen projects funded in FY24
• Fifteen projects requested for FY25 

Project Requirements

Congressman Lieu will select projects that address compelling needs within the community and reflect the diversity of organizations, localities, and populations he serves. Because of the limited number of requests available, all submissions must meet the requirements set forth by the House Appropriations Committee and should, to the extent possible, address the other factors that the Committee has advised will make for the most competitive proposals. More information can be found through the Committee’s website.

The following factors are absolute requirements that must be met for approval by the Appropriations Committee:

• Federal Nexus Requirement:  In order to ensure a federal nexus exists for each funded project, the Committee will only fund projects that are tied to a federal authorization law.
• No Memorials, Museums, or Commemoratives:  Memorials, museums, and commemoratives (i.e., projects named for an individual or entity) are not eligible for Community Project Funding.  
• Ban on For-Profit Recipients: Project funding may not be directed to for-profit recipients. Congressman Lieu may request funding for State, local, or tribal governmental grantees and certain eligible non-profits, as allowed under federal law and subcommittee guidance.
• Funding Year: Each project request must be for fiscal year 2026 funds only and cannot include a request for multiyear funding. The fiscal year runs from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026.
• Accounts: Only a limited number of budgetary accounts are open for community funding project requests. Each varies in requirements and eligible uses for funds. A complete list of those accounts is listed below and should be referred to in order to find the most appropriate account for the proposed project. Please note that accounts and eligibility are significantly different from previous years. In some cases, a project may be eligible under more than one account, and Congressman Lieu’s staff will work with the organization to determine the most competitive account.
• Community Support: Projects must demonstrate engagement and support from the community, which can be shown through, as some examples: letters of support from local elected officials, city councils, stakeholder groups, etc.; press articles highlighting the need; and inclusion on community development plans.
• Financial Disclosure: Congressman Lieu must certify and publicly disclose that he and his immediate family have no financial interest in the requested project.
• Online Disclosure: Following review by the House Appropriations Committee, all requested projects will be listed on the Congressman’s website and on the Committee’s website with basic information about the project, the proposed recipient, and amount of the request.

FY25 Community Project Funding Eligible Accounts (Please use to apply for FY26)

All Community Project Funding (CPF) requests must meet applicable eligibility requirements for the program in which the request is made, including applicable underlying statutory and regulatory requirements (e.g., cost share).

*Please note that the Majority has not yet issued detailed guidance on the FY26 CPF process. The below guidance is from FY25 and may change. 

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration.

To ensure projects meet eligibility requirements for the Rural Development and Natural Resources Conservation Service accounts, you must consult with your respective State Rural Development or State Conservation office which can be found here:

Rural Development

Natural Resources Conservation Services

Department of Agriculture – Farm Production and Conservation Programs

• Natural Resources Conservation Service (Conservation Operations)

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) supports private landowners, conservation districts, and other organizations to conserve, maintain, and improve the Nation’s natural resources.  Examples of specific objectives include reducing soil erosion, improving soil health, enhancing water supplies, improving water quality, increasing wildlife habitat, and reducing damage caused by floods and other natural disasters.

Only state, local, and Tribal organizations, or public conservation districts are eligible to receive funding under this account.  Non-profit recipients will not be considered.  Submissions should include details on: the work to be done, including if the project will conduct surveys, investigations, or research, and if there is a plan to publish the results of any such work; and any preventative measures to be taken, including engineering operations, methods of cultivation, or changes in use of land.

            - The average NRCS CPF award in FY23 was approximately $1.3 million.

• Department of Agriculture – Research, Education, and Economics
  • Agricultural Research Service (Buildings and Facilities)

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) owns and operates laboratories and facilities across the United States.  Many of these laboratories/facilities are decades old, have outlived their functional lifespan, and are badly in need of major repairs, renovation, or replacement.  Requests can assist in the acquisition of land, construction, repair, improvement, extension, alteration, and purchase of fixed equipment or facilities as necessary to carry out the agricultural research programs of the Department of Agriculture.  Requests must be for ARS-owned or operated facilities.

Submissions should include details on the research to be conducted, why the research is a high priority, what modernization is planned and why it is critical to carrying out the research.

• Department of Agriculture – Rural Development
  • Rural Housing Service (Community Facilities)

Grants to purchase, construct, or improve essential community facilities, to purchase equipment, and pay other related project expenses.  Examples of eligible projects include but are not limited to: medical or dental clinics, healthcare facilities, police or fire departments, and public works vehicles.  Community Facilities grants cannot be used to pay initial operating expenses or annual recurring expenses, refinance existing debt, pay interest, build or repair facilities in non-rural areas, or pay for construction costs of facilities that will be used for commercial rental space.

Any project must serve a rural area as specified in 7 CFR 3570.53 (rural areas including cities, villages, townships and Federally Recognized Tribal lands with no more than 20,000 residents) and is subject to cost share requirements specified in 7 CFR 3570.63(b).

Submissions should include details on all proposed use of funds, activities that will occur, timeline, and detailed information on the complete service territory.  Priority will be given to essential projects, such as those focused on public health and safety.

- The average Community Facilities CPF award in FY23 was approximately $1.3 million.

• Department of Agriculture – Rural Development
  • Rural Utilities Service (ReConnect Program)

ReConnect broadband pilot grants facilitate broadband deployment in rural areas.  Grant funds can be used for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service to rural areas without sufficient broadband access.  A rural area includes cities, towns, or incorporated areas with no more than 20,000 residents.  Sufficient access to broadband is defined as greater than 90 percent of any rural area in which households have fixed, terrestrial broadband service delivering at least 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream.  Mobile and satellite services will not be considered in making the determination of sufficient access to broadband.  Standalone middle-mile projects are not eligible under the ReConnect Program.  However, middle-mile facilities are eligible if needed to bring sufficient broadband service to all premises in the area.

Submissions should include details on: the number of households, businesses, or farms that will be served in the area; the performance of the service to be offered; and whether healthcare or educational facilities will be served.  All policies and procedures (found here) will apply to requests, including environmental and related reviews as well as a 25 percent cost share requirement.

- The average ReConnect CPF award in FY23 was approximately $1.2 million.

• Department of Agriculture – Rural Development
  • Rural Utilities Service (Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants)

The Distance Learning and Telemedicine program (DLT) helps rural residents better utilize the enormous potential of modern telecommunications and the internet for education and healthcare, two critical components of economic and community development.  The DLT program helps rural communities acquire the technology and training necessary to connect education and medical professionals with students, teachers, and patients in rural areas.

Grants may be used for audio and video equipment, broadband facilities that support distance learning or telemedicine (not actual broadband), computer hardware or network components/software, and acquisition of instructional programming.

The program is intended to serve rural areas with no more than 20,000 residents and requests are subject to all regulations governing the program (7 CFR 1734), including a 15 percent match that cannot come from another federal source.  Submissions should include details on how the award will be utilized, what equipment of service will be acquired, and any information on population(s) served.

• Rural Utilities Service (Rural Water and Waste Disposal Grants)

The Water and Waste Disposal Grant Program may be used to finance the acquisition, construction or improvement of drinking water sourcing, treatment, storage, and disposal; sewer collection, transmission, treatment, and disposal; solid waste collection, disposal, and closure; and storm water collection, transmission, and closure.

Eligible entities include rural areas and towns with no more than 10,000 residents and Tribal lands in rural areas.  The funding is subject to a 25 percent cost share requirement.  Submissions should include details on the exact work to be completed and the number of households and businesses served.

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies.

• Department of Commerce
  • NIST – Scientific and Technical Research

Funding must be for activities consistent with, and supportive of, NIST’s mission and aligned with one or more of the functions and activities described in 15 U.S.C. 272.  These funds cannot be used for building construction or renovation projects.

• Department of Commerce
  • NOAA – Coastal Zone Management

Funding must be for activities consistent with, and supportive of, NOAA’s mission and aligned with one or more of the purposes described in the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.) and is subject to any applicable cost share requirement under the same Act.

• Department of Justice
  • COPS Technology and Equipment

Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) Technology and Equipment projects support state, local, and Tribal law enforcement efforts to develop and procure the technology and equipment needed to respond more quickly and effectively, improve officer safety, increase transparency, and enhance community relations.

Funding must be aligned with the purposes described in 34 U.S.C. 10381(b)(8) (the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968).  Grants can be used to develop and/or acquire technologies and equipment – including interoperable communications technologies, modernized criminal record technology, and forensic technology – to assist state, Tribal, and local law enforcement agencies, including by reorienting the emphasis of their activities from reacting to crime to preventing crime and training law enforcement officers to use such technologies.  These funds cannot be used for building construction or renovation projects.

Only state, Tribal, and local law enforcement agencies are eligible to receive funding under this account.

JAG Overview & JAG FAQs

• Department of Justice
  • Byrne Justice

Byrne Justice projects assist state, local, and Tribal law enforcement efforts to enforce laws, address violent crime, increase prosecutions, improve the criminal justice system (including the correctional system), provide victims’ services, and other related activities.

Funding must be for activities consistent with, and supportive of, the Office of Justice Programs’ mission and aligned with one or more of the purposes described in the Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (JAG) program (34 U.S.C. 10152).

This funding cannot be used for: any security enhances or equipment to any nongovernmental entity not engaged in criminal justice or public safety; and vehicles, vessels, aircraft (excluding police cruisers, boats, and helicopters), luxury items, real estate, construction projects (other than penal or correctional institutions), unless the Attorney General certifies that it is essential to the maintenance of public safety and good order.  The Committee will also not support initiatives that involve the distribution of drug paraphernalia; initiatives that undermine the 2^nd Amendment or infringe upon rights guaranteed by the Constitution without due process of law; initiatives that appear to be anti-law enforcement or unrelated to criminal justice; and larger projects for the construction or renovation of penal or correctional institutions that will exceed the capability of single-year funding.

Non-profit entities may be eligible to receive funding under this account.  Priority will be given to projects focused on improving the effectiveness of law enforcement, increasing officer safety, curbing the opioid crisis, etc.

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  • Safety, Security, and Mission Services

Funding must be for activities advancing the purposes described in 51 U.S.C. 20102 and projects should focus on science, education, research, and technology development related to NASA’s mission.  These funds cannot be used for medical research, building construction, or renovation projects.

Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies.

Not all programs within these accounts will be open for CPF requests.  Please note that a CPF request is only necessary to request an increment of funding or scope above or beyond the President’s budget request (PBR) – to support what is included in the PBR, submit a program request.  If a project is not an individually authorized project or a project under the Corps of Engineers Continuing Authorities Program, the submitting office must contact the Subcommittee for further information prior to submitting the request.

Please reference the eligibility checklist provided in Subcommittee guidance here (pages 4-5).

• Army Corps of Engineers (Civil Works)

  • Investigations
  • Construction
  • Mississippi River and Tributaries
  • Operation and Maintenance

   

• Department of the Interior / Bureau of Reclamation
  • Water and Related Resources

Homeland Security.

• Federal Emergency Management Agency
  • Federal Assistance – Emergency Ops. Centers

FEMA’s EOC grants improve emergency management and preparedness capabilities by supporting flexible, sustainable, secure, strategically located, and fully interoperable EOCs with a focus on addressing identified deficiencies and needs.  According to the National Fire Protection Association, an EOC is defined as a “facility or capability from which direction and control is exercised in an emergency.  This type of center or capability is designated to ensure that the capacity exists for leadership to direct and control operations from a centralized facility or capability in the event of an emergency.  Projects must meet requirements detailed in FEMA’s most recent Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

Submissions should include a detailed project description, budget describing how the funding will be used, and confirm ability to meet the cost share requirement (generally 25 percent of eligible activity costs).  Once projects are approved, the respective State or Territorial Administrative Agency, or Tribal government must submit an application to FEMA and serve as the administrative agent for the grant on behalf of the receiving entity (grant subrecipients).

- The average EOC CPF award in FY23 ranged between $158,176 and $3 million.

• Federal Emergency Management Agency
  • Federal Assistance – Pre-Disaster Mitigation

FEMA’s PDM grants assist state, local, tribal, and territorial governments with planning and implementing sustainable, cost-effective measures to provide long term, permanent risk reduction to individuals and property from future natural hazards, such as floods and wildfires, while reducing reliance on federal funding for future disasters.  Projects must meet requirements detailed in FEMA’s most recent Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO).

Submissions should include a detailed project description, budget describing how the funding will be used, and confirm ability to meet the cost share requirement (generally 25 percent of eligible activity costs and as low as 10 percent for small, impoverished communities defined in 42 U.S.C. 5133).  Once projects are approved, the respective State or Territorial Administrative Agency, or Tribal government must submit an application to FEMA and serve as the administrative agent for the grant on behalf of the receiving entity (grant subrecipients).

- The average PDM CPF award in FY23 ranged between $32,482 and $10 million.

Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.

Any portion of the project funded through a STAG infrastructure grant is subject to a minimum 20 percent cost share requirement.  Federal funds outside of assistance provided by a SRF cannot be used to meet this cost share.

Projects must be publicly owned or owned by a non-profit entity (to be considered on a limited basis) that are otherwise eligible for the funding from the respective state’s Clean Water or Drinking Water State Revolving Funds (SRF) loan programs.  States have Intended Use Plans (IUPs) with drinking water and wastewater projects that have already been vetted by governmental officials.

• Environmental Protection Agency
  • STAG – Clean Water State Revolving Fund
  • Drinking Water State Revolving Fund

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Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies.

Requests must meet the following criteria: 1) be included on an unfunded requirements / unfunded priorities list (UFR/UPL) from a military service or combatant command or the FY24-28 Future Years Defense Program (FYDP), but not be suggested by an installation or unit commander; 2) have at least 35 percent of its design completed or request funding for planning and design; 3) able to be obligated in FY24; 4) submitted to the House Armed Services Committee (HAS) for inclusion in the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act or previously authorized; and 5) have a DD Form 1391, which is DoD’s justification for military construction projects.

UFR/UPL – lists that the Services and Combatant Commanders provide to Congress identifying priority projects that were not included in the President’s budget request (PBR).  They are available to Congress within ten days of the release of the PBR.

FYDP – projection of the forces, resources, and programs needed to support DoD operations over a five-year period.  The FYDP is released simultaneously with the PBR.  The military construction projects that may be eligible for CPF in FY24 can be obtained through the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) website here.

Eligible requests include both construction and unspecified minor military construction projects for active/reserve components in the accounts listed below.  An unspecified minor military construction project is a project that has an approved cost equal to or less than $9 million.  Some reserve component projects require a state funding match.  Submissions should determine whether the proposed project requires such a match and if the project has current state matching funds.

• Army
• Army National Guard
• Army Reserve
• Navy & Marine Corps
• Navy Reserve
• Air Force and Space Force
• Air National Guard
• Air Force Reserve
• DoD, Defense-Wide

Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies.

• Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • CDBG – Economic and Development Initiatives 

Please note that non-profits are no longer eligible for this account except for public universities.

EDI projects are intended for economic and community development activities, consistent with statutory and additional committee requirements.  For FY24, project requests must be eligible under one or more of the following criteria of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program: 42 U.S.C. 5305(a)(1), 5305(a)(2), 5305(a)(4), 5305(a)(5), and limited to land or site acquisition, demolition or rehabilitation, blight removal, and construction and capital improvements of public facilities, except for “buildings used for the general conduct of government.”

5305(a)(1) – acquisition of real property (including air rights, water rights, and other interest therein) which is (A) blighted, deteriorated, deteriorating, undeveloped, or inappropriately developed from the standpoint of sound community development and growth; (B) appropriate for rehabilitation or conservation activities; (C) appropriate for the preservation or restoration of historic sites, the beautification of urban land, the conservation of open spaces, natural resources, and scenic areas, the provision of recreational opportunities, or the guidance of urban development; (D) to be used for the provision of public works, facilities, and improvements eligible for assistance under this chapter; or (E) to be used for other public purposes.

5305(a)(2) – acquisition, construction, reconstruction, or installation (including design features and improvements with respect to such construction, reconstruction, or installation that promote energy efficiency) of public works, facilities (except for buildings for the general conduct of government) and site or other improvements.

5305(a)(4) – clearance, demolition, removal, reconstruction, and rehabilitation (including rehabilitation which promotes energy efficiency) of buildings and improvements (including interim assistance, and financing public or private acquisition for reconstruction or rehabilitation, and reconstruction or rehabilitation of privately owned properties, and including the renovation of closed school buildings).

5305(a)(5) – special projects directed to the removal of material and architectural barriers, which restrict the mobility and accessibility of elderly and handicapped persons.

Examples of requests Committee expects to receive include: water or sewer infrastructure projects that are not otherwise eligible to be funded under EPA STAG or Rural Water and Waste accounts; local road infrastructure that is not otherwise eligible under the Highway Infrastructure Projects account; streetscape improvements; public or non-profit housing rehabilitation, housing development financing, residential conversions, and neighborhood revitalization projects that would increase housing supply and/or improve housing affordability in the local community; projects with a clear economic development benefit such as workforce training centers and manufacturing incubators; and projects that meet a compelling local need consistent with statutory purposes (food banks in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, youth and senior centers, and multipurpose community centers).

Funding cannot be used for programmatic and operational expenses or museums, commemoratives, memorials, swimming pools, water parks, golf courses, healthcare facilities, venues strictly for entertainment purposes (e.g., theatres and performing arts venues), courthouses, and townhalls.  Additionally, funding cannot be used for reimbursement of expenses for soft costs (planning, administrative) incurred prior to the completion of a grant agreement between HUD and the grantee.  A grant agreement and a completed environmental review are necessary for reimbursement of hard costs (construction activities).

Projects will be subject to various federal requirements such as the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), HUD’s NEPA-implementing regulations (24 CFR Part 50 or 58), and all applicable federal environmental and historic preservation laws, regulations, and executive orders.  An environmental review must be completed before HUD funds and new commitments on non-HUD funds can be used for a project.

• Department of Transportation
  • Airport Improvement Program

Airport Improvement Program (AIP) projects are intended to enhance airport safety, capacity, and security, and environmental concerns.  All projects must be: AIP eligible in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 47100 et seq. and FAA policy and guidance; included in the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS); supported broadly by local stakeholders, including residents, businesses, and elected officials; and administered by an airport and/or airport sponsor.

Projects will be subject to various federal requirements such as competition in contracting, Buy America, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and a cost share requirement based on size.  The grant covers 75 percent of eligible costs (or 80 percent of noise program implementation) for large and medium primary hub airports and a range of 90-95 percent of eligible costs for small primary, reliever, and general aviation airports.  Specific cost share requirements can and should be verified by the FAA Regional District Office.

• Department of Transportation
  • Highway Infrastructure Projects

Highway Infrastructure Projects are capital projects eligible under 23 U.S.C. 133(b).  All projects must be: capital projects or project-specific planning/design for a capital project; supported by the state or Tribal government that would administer the project, such as by being included in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) or Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP); and administered by public or Tribal entities.

Most projects will be subject to various federal requirements such as competition in contracting, Buy America, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and a cost share requirement on a sliding scale based on activity, location, and other factors.  Funding cannot be used for administrative activities, even if they are eligible under the statutory citation.  This includes general operating expenses and planning activities.

• Department of Transportation
  • Transit Infrastructure Projects

Transit Infrastructure Projects are public transportation capital projects eligible under 49 U.S.C. 53.  Eligible capital projects are described under 49 U.S.C. 5302(4).  All projects must be: transit capital projects or project-specific planning/design for a transit capital project; supported by the state, local governmental authority, or Tribal government that would administer the project, such as by being included in the Statewide Transportation Improvement Plan (STIP) or Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP); and sponsored by designated recipients, states (including territories and the District of Columbia), local governmental authorities, and/or Indian tribes.

Public transportation or transit is defined in 49 U.S.C. 5302(15) and (22), as regular, continuing shared-ride surface transportation that is open to the general public or open to a segment of the general public defined by age, disability, or low income, and does not include intercity passenger rail transportation, intercity bus, charter bus, school bus, sightseeing, courtesy shuttle, or intra-terminal /intra-facility shuttle services.

Most projects will be subject to various federal requirements such as competition in contracting, Buy America, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and generally a 20 percent cost share requirement.  Funding cannot be used for administrative activities, even if they are eligible under the statutory citation.  This includes general operating expenses, joint development projects, and planning activities.  Capital Investment Grants (CIG) projects will not be considered as CPF projects.

• Department of Transportation
  • Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements

Rail infrastructure projects are capital projects eligible under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program authorized under 49 U.S.C. 22907.  CRISI provides grants to assist in financing the cost of improving passenger and freight rail transportation systems.  All projects must be: rail capital projects or systems planning for a rail capital project; supported by the state, local governmental authority, or Tribal government that would administer the project; and sponsored by public or Tribal entities.

This is a new CPF account for FY24.  Projects will be subject to various federal requirements such as competition in contracting, Buy America, and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).  Funding cannot be used for administrative activities, even if they are eligible under the statutory citation.  This includes general operating expenses, rail-related research, and workforce activities.  Eligibility and viability can and should be verified by the project sponsor (i.e., public agency).

• Department of Transportation
  • Port Infrastructure Development Program

Port Infrastructure Development Program projects are projects eligible under 46 U.S.C. 54301.

Projects may be subject to various federal requirements such as competition in contracting, Buy America, the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), reviews/audits from the Department of Transportation, and cost share requirements with potential exceptions for small and rural area ports (46 U.S.C. 54301(a)(8) and (b)).  Eligibility and viability can and should be verified by local port authorities and the Maritime Administration’s Gateway Offices.

Priority will be given to projects at small inland river and coastal ports and terminals as described in 46 U.S.C. 54301(b), and to discrete, smaller-scale projects at larger ports and intermodal connections to ports.