About the Reconnecting Communities Institute
Our Mission
The Reconnecting Communities Institute (RCI) is a U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) center for learning that helps communities reclaim economic opportunity and mobility through reconnection projects.
Our Work
RCI provides free technical assistance for projects that address transportation barriers and reconnect communities to resources and economic opportunity.
Through trainings and one-on-one assistance, we support communities at each phase of their reconnection projects. We help communities:
ENVISION
RCI helps communities turn project ideas into proposals through grant writing trainings, budget development support, community engagement planning, and more.
PLAN
RCI helps communities develop robust project plans through environmental review support, benefits and impacts assessment, right of way navigation, and more.
IMPLEMENT
RCI helps communities move from planning to implementation through engineering and design support, equitable project engagement, and more.
Who Can Participate in RCI
RCI supports any state, local, or Tribal government, metropolitan planning organization (MPO), or nonprofit working on a qualifying reconnection project at any stage of planning or development. This includes grantees of previous US DOT programs, including the Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) Program and Neighborhood Access and Equity (NAE) Program.
RCI will prioritize enrollment for entities serving historically underserved communities, including rural and Tribal communities.
About the RCP and NAE Programs
The RCP and NAE Programs were two US DOT initiatives that aimed to connect communities, improve access to daily needs, and promote economic development. The RCP Program provided grant funding for projects that remove, retrofit, or mitigate transportation barriers. The NAE Program provided grant funding for projects that strengthen community connectivity by improving walkability, safety, and affordable transportation access.
Funding cycles for these programs concluded in 2024, but RCP or NAE funding is not required for RCI participation.
Our Team
The RCI technical assistance team is a partnership of 14 organizations, including nonprofits and disadvantaged business enterprises, with expertise across urban planning, communications, environmental justice, adult learning, civil engineering, and other subjects.