The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced awards of more than $125 million in grants to organizations including states, local governments, non-profit organizations, and academic institutions across the country to improve safety in work zones, rural areas and high crash corridors. The money will assist highway safety stakeholders with promoting commercial vehicle safety, add more licensed commercial truck and bus drivers, deploy technology, and prevent human trafficking.
How can your organization receive funds?
The funding was allocated and awarded through four separate grants listed below. Click the link to learn more and how to apply.
1. Commercial Driver License Program Implementation Grant -- CDLPI
2. Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training Grant -- CMVOST
3. High Priority Innovative Technology Deployment Grant -- HP-ITD
4. High Priority Commercial Motor Vehicle Grant -- HP-CMV
Seeking more federal grant applicants
FMCSA’s discretionary grant program is a highly successful way of tapping experienced experts in the private sector or local government to join forces with the federal government to ensure safe movement of goods and passengers on U.S. roadways. “Our grantees will dedicate these investments to innovative technology, research, and other projects that will positively impact CMV safety and move us towards the National Roadway Safety Strategy’s goal of zero deaths on our nation’s roadways,” says FMCSA Administrator, Robin Hutcheson.
The four grants are known as competitive or discretionary grants meaning organizations must apply, meet criteria, and compete with others to receive funding. Typical of all federal grant programs, there’s a grant lifecycle that includes three stages: Pre-award, Award and Post-Award.
- Pre-award Stage: stakeholders research discretionary grants, identify a suitable grant funding opportunity, wait for the open grant application window, and submit their grant application. Prior to the open grant application window, FMCSA offers free webinars with tips on how to write your grant proposal and prepare the application.
- Award Stage: FMCSA reviews and evaluates the competing applications, decides who gets an award and notifies grant recipients.
- Post-Award Stage: stakeholder execute their projects and report progress. FMCSA monitors the project and assists as needed. Stakeholders complete closeout forms and submit final reports for financial reimbursement.
FMCSA is committed to increasing awareness of the grant program to gain more applicants among a wider, diverse nationwide pool and fund more worthwhile projects. The goal is to reach roadway safety stakeholders including trucking schools, community colleges and historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Geographically, FMCSA wants to engage states, territories, and tribal governments.
How grant writers can get started
Organizations and their grant writers should start now for next year. Start by researching Department of Transportation (DOT) FMCSA grants, at fmcsa.dot.gov/grants or ai.fmcsa.dot.gov/Grants/default.aspx to learn which grant aligns with your organization’s project.
You can also search at grants.gov, however be sure to check for “Closed” and “Archived” grants to see past FMCSA funding opportunities. Currently, there are no “Posted” FMCSA grants for which you can apply right away but don’t wait for a “Notice of Funding Opportunity” posting. Start early. Gathering the necessary information and completing the application takes time and teamwork.
