Advanced Research Projects Agency — Infrastructure

Funds ARPA-I, the Department of Transportation high-risk program for next-generation transport and infrastructure technology.

ARPA-I funds high-risk, high-reward next-generation transportation technologies that can revolutionize America's infrastructure systems. It was authorized by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58, Section 25012; November 15, 2021) as a new Congressionally designated agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Congress directed ARPA-I to lower the long-term costs of infrastructure development, reduce lifecycle environmental impacts, improve the safe and efficient movement of goods and people, and promote infrastructure resilience against physical and cyber threats. Modeled on DARPA and ARPA-E, the agency pursues a small number of intensively managed multi-phase R&D programs rather than broad grant solicitations.

As of mid-2026, ARPA-I has launched three public-facing initiatives: the Ideas and Innovation Challenge (a $1M prize competition), X-BRIDGE (a directed cooperative agreement with the University of Maine on advanced bridge materials), and INSIGHTS (a directed partnership with MIT Lincoln Laboratory and state DOTs on digital twin / aerial LiDAR mapping). No broad agency announcement (BAA) or grants.gov open solicitation has been issued to date.