Minnesota Rail Service Improvement Grant
The MRSI Program provides grants for freight rail service improvement projects that support economic development in accordance with Minnesota Statute. The MRSI Program received a new appropriation of $1M in bond funds in the 2025 Legislative Special Session. As a result, MnDOT expects to hold a grant solicitation later this year.
If you are interested in receiving updates on a future solicitation, please sign up for MRSI Program updates using the Connect with Us button on the right-hand side of this page and check this page for updates.
Eligible applicants
- Railroads
- Rail shippers
- Political subdivisions of Minnesota
- Federal agencies that seek to complete a major improvement or rehabilitation of railroad rights of way or other railroad facilities
Timeline
- MnDOT expects to hold a grant solicitation later this year (likely fall). At least $1M in bond funds will be available (i.e. $1M in bond funds awarded in the 2025 Legislative Special Session plus the possibility of additional bond funds from projects that could not be completed). This page will be updated with more detailed information about an upcoming solicitation once it is available. The application and 2023 information on this page is an example of the most recent solicitation (2023) and is for informational purposes only.
- Please note that bond funds have documentation and timeframe requirements that grantees will need to meet. For planning purposes, bond funds expire, if not encumbered, at the end of four years. We will provide more detailed information on bond requirements in the future solicitation.
Submit your application
- This solicitation is closed. MnDOT will provide more information about a 2025 solicitation on this webpage once we have more detailed information.
- The information below, from the 2023 solicitation, is included on this page for informational purposes and background only.
Application resources
- MSRI grant application
- MRSI Grant Funding Instructions (PDF)
- MRSI Grant Instructions Addendum 1 dated Nov. 6, 2023 (PDF)
- Affidavit of Noncollusion Form (PDF)
- Conflict of Interest Form (PDF)
- Resolution (Only for cities and counties)
- Previous grant information:
Resources for New Grantees
- Documentation Needed – MRSI Grants (Bond-funded)
- Certification Form – No Conviction of Felony Financial Crime
- Certification Form – Not Under Bankruptcy Proceedings
- Declaration Template
- Permit, License & Bond Certification Form
- Resolution Template
- Zoning Certification Form
After you apply
Scoring process
Project selection for the MRSI Program grant follows a two-step process.
Step 1: We evaluate each application for completeness and whether it meets requirements for project type, budget and anticipated completion date.
Step 2: A project selection committee reviews and scores eligible applications.
Scoring criteria
| Criteria | Points available | Data source/basis |
|---|---|---|
| Project Summary | 15 | Description of overall scope of the proposed project and how it will be accomplished |
| Rail Service Impacts | 30 | Information on impacts on rail service and the overall transportation system |
| Economic Impacts | 30 | Information on return on investment based on the economic impacts of the proposed project |
| Equity | 15 | Impact on areas of environmental justice concern using data from MPCA |
| Environmental Impacts | 15 | Information on the potential environmental impacts of the proposed project |
| Project Readiness | 5 | Information on project readiness |
| Project Funding | 20 | Information on total project cost and amount of grant funding requested |
Notification
Applicants were notified of their selection status in April 2024 and a press release was shared May 7, 2024.