FY2026 High Priority Program Innovative Technology Deployment (HP-ITD)

The High Priority Innovative Technology Deployment Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The program is designed to support State and territorial governments in advancing technological capabilities related to commercial motor vehicle operations. As part of the federal government’s broader mission to improve roadway safety and efficiency, this program focuses on deploying and maintaining intelligent transportation systems that enhance communication, data sharing, and regulatory compliance across jurisdictions. The primary objective of the program is to improve safety outcomes involving commercial motor vehicles by promoting the use of advanced information systems and networks. These systems are intended to connect Federal and State data platforms, streamline regulatory processes, and reduce operational costs for carriers. The program also supports improvements in data quality, electronic credentialing, safety inspections, and interoperability between systems. Eligible projects may include development of new technologies, upgrades to existing systems, planning activities, and operational maintenance of deployed technologies. Funding under this program is made available on a competitive basis, with approximately $52.7 million expected to be awarded in the current cycle. Individual applications typically request funding up to $2 million, although higher amounts may be considered for projects demonstrating significant safety impact. Notably, the program does not require cost sharing or matching funds, making it fully federally funded. Awards are issued either as grants or cooperative agreements, depending on the level of federal involvement required during project implementation. Eligibility is limited to State governments and U.S. territories, including the District of Columbia and several insular areas. Applicants must have an approved commercial motor vehicle information systems and networks program plan, and must demonstrate compliance with national system architecture standards. Applications must include a comprehensive project narrative and budget narrative, along with required federal forms such as the SF-424 series. Projects must align with national priorities such as electronic screening, data quality improvement, credentialing systems, and real-time safety notifications. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov by the stated deadline. Applicants must ensure that their organization is registered in the System for Award Management and has a valid unique entity identifier. The application package must include detailed narratives covering the problem statement, performance objectives, activity plans, measurement strategies, and monitoring approaches. Budget narratives must provide itemized and justified costs aligned with project objectives. Applications are limited to a maximum of four projects and a total narrative length of 35 pages. Applications are evaluated through a multi-step review process beginning with eligibility screening, followed by technical and budget reviews conducted by subject matter experts. Evaluation criteria include technical merit, alignment with program priorities, budget reasonableness, and past performance where applicable. Projects are assessed based on their ability to improve safety outcomes, enhance system interoperability, and demonstrate measurable performance improvements. Final award decisions are made by agency leadership based on these evaluations and overall program priorities. The application deadline for the current funding cycle is June 17, 2026 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Awards are expected to be issued within the same fiscal year following review and approval processes. The period of performance extends through the fiscal year of award plus four additional years, allowing for multi-year implementation and evaluation. Recipients are required to submit quarterly performance and financial reports and must comply with federal administrative and reporting requirements throughout the lifecycle of the award.

Align project with national priorities such as electronic screening and data sharing; provide strong data-driven problem statements with three-year trend analysis; ensure budget justification is detailed and itemized; demonstrate interoperability and measurable safety outcomes