FAA Contract Tower Competitive Grant Program

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 digital tower certified by the FAA.

This year, the FCT program is investing up to $100 million to enhance our nation's Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCT), here is what it will do:

This round of funding will be used to construct new towers and upgrade existing infrastructure, ensuring safer and more efficient air travel. These improvements aim to provide travelers with confidence in our cutting-edge air traffic management systems.

This interactive map shows how these funds are being invested.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my airport eligible for this program?

As of January 2026, 186 airports are eligible for the IIJA FCT competitive grant program, with 163 enrolled in the FCT program and 23 on the candidate list.

View the complete list of eligible airports.

How to apply

The Fiscal Year 2027 application period opened on September 18, 2026, and will close on October 19, 2026. 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 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.

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.