National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Discretionary Safety Grants and Cooperative Agreements
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Program Objective
This Assistance Listing 20.622 created in August 2025 was included in the previous ALN 20.614, please refer to former ALN 20.614 for FY24 and FY25 financial obligations. The new Assistance Listing 20.622 will be utilized by DOT at the start of FY 2026.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- U.S. Federal Government
- U.S. State Government
- Interstate Organization
- Municipality/Township Government
- Nonprofit Organization
- Not-for-Profit Organization
- For-Profit Organization
Eligibility requirements will be specified on a project-by-project basis.
Beneficiaries
- U.S. State Government
- Municipality/Township Government
- Local
- Nonprofit Organization
How to Apply
Award Procedure
Competitive project grants and cooperative agreement applications must be submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration via the grants.gov website. Project grants and cooperative agreements which are to be awarded without competition shall be submitted directly to the NHTSA point of contact identified for that financial assistance opportunity. Grantees will be required to complete the suite of SF 424 forms, representations and certifications, project plan and budget. NHTSA’s Office of Acquisition Management in cooperation with the applicable NHTSA program office will review project plans and budgets. Awards will be based upon the application of defined evaluation factors to applicants’ project plans and upon analysis of applicants’ project budgets.
The deadlines shall be established for each grant or cooperative agreement application package. Refer to deadlines established for each Request for Application as presented in Grants.gov.
Program details & compliance
Description
Provide technical and financial assistance to State and local government agencies, for-profit and non-profit organizations, educational institutions, hospitals, and other persons (as defined in Title 1 USC Chapter (1)) in support of highway safety research and development, special studies, educational and public awareness projects related to or involving:
1) Activities, including demonstration projects to study vehicle, highway, driver, passenger, motorcyclist, bicyclist, and pedestrian characteristics;
2) Emergency medical services communications and transportation of the injured;
3) Human behavioral factors such as driver education, impaired driving, and distracted driving;
4) Evaluation of the effectiveness of countermeasures to increase highway and traffic safety, including occupant protection and alcohol- and drug-impaired driving technologies and initiatives;
5) Development of technologies to detect drug impaired drivers;
6) Research, evaluation, and identification of best practices related to driver education programs (including driver education curricula, instructor training and certification, program administration, and delivery mechanisms) and recommendations for harmonizing driver education and multistage graduated licensing systems; and
7) Effect of State laws on any aspects, activities, or programs described above.
Mission Categories
Primary: Highways, Public Roads, and Bridges
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
The grants and cooperative agreements can only be used for those projects as authorized under Section 403. The grants and cooperative agreements can only be used for those projects as authorized under Section 403. All projects falling within this Assistance Listing (CFDA) are subject to 100% discretionary funding.
Restrictions
Funds are restricted to activities authorized under 23 U.S.C. § 403. Assistance may not be used for general highway construction or standard law enforcement equipment unless specifically authorized in the project agreement.
Required Documentation
Standard Form (SF) 424, including SF-424A and SF 424B “Application for Federal Assistance.” Disclosure of Lobbying Activities (SF-LLL) 49 CFR Part 29 Appendix A, Debarment and Suspension-Primary Covered Transactions 49 CFR Part 29 Appendix B, Debarment and Suspension-Lowered Tier Covered Transactions 49 CFR Part 29 Appendix C, Drug Free Workplace Project Workplan Project Budget 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements