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 agency is responsible for regulating and overseeing the safety of commercial motor vehicles across the United States, and this program is part of its broader High Priority grant portfolio authorized under federal transportation statutes and updated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The program is designed to strengthen national transportation safety systems by funding state-led technology initiatives that enhance commercial vehicle operations and regulatory compliance. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to advance the technological capabilities of state-level systems that support commercial motor vehicle information networks. The program emphasizes the deployment and maintenance of intelligent transportation system applications that link federal and state safety systems, improve the safety and productivity of commercial drivers, and reduce operational and regulatory costs. Projects are expected to support interoperability across jurisdictions, improve data quality and sharing, and contribute to national safety outcomes such as reduced crashes and enhanced compliance monitoring. Funding may be used for a wide range of activities including the deployment of advanced technologies, system upgrades, planning and development of program design documents, and ongoing operation and maintenance of eligible systems. Priority areas include electronic screening, credentialing systems, data exchange platforms such as CVIEW, work zone and traffic notification systems, and technologies that detect out-of-service vehicles or improve inspection processes. Projects must align with national intelligent transportation system architectures and demonstrate measurable performance outcomes tied to safety and efficiency improvements. Eligibility is limited to U.S. states and territories, including the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Applicants must have an approved commercial motor vehicle information systems and networks program plan and must certify compliance with federal interoperability and system architecture standards. Individuals, private businesses, and non-governmental entities are not eligible to apply directly. No cost sharing or matching funds are required under this program, which lowers the barrier to entry for eligible state agencies. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes several mandatory components such as the SF-424 application form, SF-424A budget form, SF-424B assurances, lobbying disclosures, and detailed project and budget narratives. The project narrative must include sections such as an introduction, problem statement, performance objectives, activity plan, measurement plan, and monitoring strategy, all within a strict page limit. Applications may include up to four distinct projects, each with its own narrative and budget justification. Applicants must also maintain active registration in the System for Award Management and comply with federal administrative requirements. Applications are due by June 17, 2026 at 5 p.m. Eastern Time. Late submissions are generally not accepted except under extraordinary circumstances. The review process includes eligibility screening followed by a merit-based evaluation assessing technical quality, budget reasonableness, program alignment, and past performance. Approximately 35 awards are anticipated, with a total program funding level of about 52.7 million dollars and a typical maximum request of 2 million dollars per application, although exceptions may be considered for high-impact projects. Awards are issued as either grants or cooperative agreements depending on the level of federal involvement required. The period of performance begins upon award execution and extends through the fiscal year of award plus four additional years, creating an approximate four-year project timeline. Award recipients must comply with federal reporting requirements, including quarterly performance and financial reports, and must adhere to all applicable federal regulations and policies throughout the lifecycle of the project.

Align projects with FMCSA national priorities and demonstrate measurable safety outcomes; ensure strong data driven problem statements and clearly defined performance metrics; provide detailed and justified budget narratives aligned with project activities