Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP)

PHMSA’s goal is to ensure that responders trained under the grant can protect nearby persons, property, and the environment from the effects of accidents or incidents involving HAZMAT transportation. PHMSA’s goal for planning activities is to develop, improve, and carry out emergency plans under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. § 11001 et seq.), including ascertaining flow patterns of hazardous material on land.

This Assistance Listing 20.705 created in July 2025 was included in the previous ALN 20.703, please refer to former ALN 20.703 for FY24 and FY25 financial obligations. DOT will utilize the new Assistance Listing 20.705 at the start of FY 2026.

The HMEP Grant Program is authorized under 49 U.S.C. § 5116 and provides federal financial and technical assistance to states, territories, and federally recognized tribes to increase local effectiveness in safely and efficiently handling hazardous materials (HAZMAT) in accidents and incidents.

HMEP: State, Local, Federally Recognized Tribal Governments, U.S. Territories, Student/Trainee, Emergency Responders.

PHMSA will review applications based upon merit, including the clarity of the project narrative and reasonableness of cost as described in the budget narrative. PHMSA reserves the right to make adjustments that are beneficial to the goals of the HMEP. Federal agency representatives will evaluate the grant applications. Each grant application will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria listed in the NOFO. Special emphasis will be placed on reviewing whether the application has a coherent project narrative that follows the outline of this funding announcement, and whether the costs described in the budget narrative appear to be necessary, reasonable, allowable and allocable.

From 60 to 180 days. The Department, along with the PHMSA Administrator, will review Hazardous Materials Safety grant awards.