The money is part of a £794m investment package to reopen two important rail routes closed more than 50 years ago.
The investment on the Northumberland line will fund preparatory works, including land acquisition, detailed design work and early site works.
Plans for the project include new stations at Ashington, Bedlington, Blyth Bebside, Newsham, Seaton Delaval and Northumberland Park, in North Tyneside, as well as upgrades to the track and changes to level crossings where bridges or underpasses may need to be built.
