Six Steps for Successful Federal Infrastructure Funding Applications  

1. Plan 

With numerous grant programs and legislative investments emerging to support capital improvement projects, it can be challenging to align the appropriate funding programs with the right initiatives. A well-thought-out plan is the first step in Miesen’s process; be sure you have the dedicated resources on day one to keep your orga­ni­za­tion’s grant application process running smoothly.  

There are going to be some grants that you're eligible for, but maybe not as competitive for. Consider ranking projects based on factors like socioe­co­nomic impact, project “shovel-readiness”, and alignment with state and federal priorities so you can rate oppor­tu­ni­ties with the strongest funding potential.  

2. Collaborate 

Collab­o­rat­ing early in the planning phase is vital to ensure stake­hold­ers are aligned and invested in the project’s success. Estab­lish­ing task forces or committees with repre­sen­ta­tives from various disciplines can work to foster a multi­dis­ci­pli­nary approach, bringing diverse perspec­tives to the table. Workshops and interactive sessions can also help by identifying overlapping depart­men­tal goals, stream­lin­ing schedules, and combining resources. It can also help to prioritize neigh­bor­hoods or areas where you see overlap between some of your own planned projects and planned projects from other departments.  

Be sure to define roles, respon­si­bil­i­ties, and financial commitments up front so there is no confusion as application due dates get closer. 

3. Strategize 

All projects—especially high-cost ones—should explore multiple funding strategies to mitigate risk and maximize success. Relying solely on one source may not be enough, so combining options like loans, bonds, and grants can boost effi­cien­cies and financial benefits. Diver­si­fy­ing funding sources also provides a reliable backup plan, ensuring the project can move forward even if a grant application is unsuc­cess­ful. 

4. Apply

Building a team with strong technical writing skills and familiarity with the grant application are also key factors. In the event an application is rejected, funding agencies will usually provide a debrief to provide insight into what happened. These tips are invaluable if you choose to re-apply for those grants. That's why you’ll need to build a strong grant writing team that learns from past experiences so you can quickly develop a “Plan B” if necessary. 

Exploring other external funding sources such as fundraising, spon­sor­ships, or other revenue streams can also help fill any gaps in funding. 

5. Comply

Once you are sure you’ve been awarded federal funds, another aspect of a successful and streamlined approach is incor­po­rat­ing compliance require­ments into the project as early as you can.  

Funding programs like WaterSMART, WIFIA, and SRF all have distinct pre-construc­tion and construc­tion regulatory needs, so under­stand­ing these variations is essential as they affect when funds become accessible. For example, WaterSMART grants allow immediate use of funds for pre-construc­tion compliance upon award, while WIFIA and SRF require initial funding from your resources to accomplish pre-construction requirements before federal funds can be accessed. Leaning on the knowl­edge­able team you’ve built will help you to navigate these nuanced complex­i­ties and align project schedules with compliance require­ments. 

6. Manage 

One easy-to-forget piece of the funding puzzle is that program management principles must be in place even after funds are awarded. This means things like continuous monitoring of Build America require­ments and labor wage regulations, contractor and subcon­trac­tor docu­men­ta­tion, and coor­di­na­tion with funding admin­is­tra­tions.  

Coor­di­na­tion among all parties is essential for adhering to compliance standards. Addi­tion­ally, keeping funding agencies informed through regular monitoring reports is crucial, as it updates them on expenses and project progress.  

Do you have the right team to help secure federal funds for your next infra­struc­ture project? We can help you navigate all the application complex­i­ties and turn your visions into reality.