Federal Airport Improvement Program
Federal Airport Improvement Program supports Iowa general aviation and small commercial service airports with infrastructure, planning, and safety projects to address airport development needs.
This grant was recently updated
Draft five-year CIP deadlines moved from November 19, 2025 to November 19, 2026; signed application deadlines moved from December 19, 2025 to December 21, 2026. Preapplication instructions now cover FFY 2028 rather than 2027, and signed applications go to Brian Johnson instead of Shane Wright.
Funder: Iowa Department of Transportation
Due Dates: November 19, 2026 (Draft five-year CIP) | December 21, 2026 (Final signed application)
Funding Amounts: Sponsor must have a 10% matching share available
Summary: Federal funding supports Iowa airport improvements through capital planning, project justification, and FAA review.
Key Information: Airports must be included in the National Plan of Integrated Airports (NPIAS).
Description
The Federal Airport Improvement Program (AIP) funds airport development, with Iowa DOT’s Modal Transportation Bureau – Aviation coordinating preapplications for Iowa general aviation and small commercial service airports. This includes projects using nonprimary entitlement funds. The FFY 2028 application process connects individual projects with a five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) and a long-range needs assessment covering years six through 20.
Eligible work includes airfield infrastructure, planning, environmental studies, land acquisition, safety improvements, and certain aeronautical facilities. FAA priorities emphasize safety and security, runway and primary taxiway pavement rehabilitation, noise reduction, planning, and environmental mitigation. Revenue-producing facilities face additional funding and eligibility restrictions intended to ensure airside needs are addressed before investment in hangars or fueling facilities.
