FAA Contract Tower Competitive Grant Program

infrastructure investment and jobs act banner graphic

The FAA Contract Tower (FCT) program, as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, allocates up to $600 million over 10 years for the modernization of airport traffic control towers. These funds will allow airports to sustain, construct, repair, improve, rehabilitate, modernize, replace, or relocate non-approach control towers; acquire and install air traffic control, communications, and related equipment to be used in those towers; and construct a remote tower certified by the FAA.

The FY26 Notice of Funding Opportunity application period is now open making available up to $120 million in funding.

This interactive map shows how these funds are being invested.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my airport eligible for this program?

There are currently 179 airports within the contract airport traffic control tower program that are eligible for this funding.

View a list of airports eligible for the FAA Contract Tower Competitive Grant Program as of October 2024.

How to apply

The Fiscal Year 2026 application period opened on January 16, 2025 and will close on February 17, 2025. Interested applicants should follow the steps below:

Read the Notice of Funding Opportunity to learn about the program and the terms and conditions of the grant awards.
Ensure you’re registered with System for Award Management (SAM) and you have a unique entity identifier. You must continue to maintain an active SAM registration with current information while the FAA is reviewing your application.
Open FAA Form 5100-144, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Airport Terminal and Tower Project Information, on your desktop using Adobe Acrobat and complete in its entirety including the tower only section. Instructions are included with the form. Do not edit the form in a web browser or some form fields will not work correctly.
The form must be submitted electronically. Save your work as you complete the application and be sure to keep a copy for your records. Use the "Submit" button at the bottom to open up an email and attach the completed form for submission to IIJAAirports@faa.gov.

When will I hear if I received a grant?

Applicants will be notified of the outcome either in writing or electronically. Additionally, the Secretary of Transportation will announce a Notice of Intent to fund selected projects.

Applicants selected to receive a FAA Contract Tower Competitive Grant Program grant will then be required to follow Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant application procedures prior to award, which include meeting all prerequisites for funding, and submission of Standard Form SF-424, Application for Federal Assistance, and FAA Form 5100-100, Application for Development Projects.

I still have questions, who do I contact?

Direct all inquiries about applications to the appropriate Regional Office (RO), Airports District Office (ADO) or State Agency for Airports covered under the FAA State Block Grant Program (SBGP) or contact the FAA IIJA Team at IIJAAirports@faa.gov.

Find answers to other Frequently Asked Questions.