FY26 - Stopping Threats On Pedestrian Competitive Grant Program (Bollards)

The U.S. Department of Transportation, through the Federal Highway Administration, is offering the Stopping Threats on Pedestrians Competitive Grant Program, also referred to as the Bollards Competitive Grant Program. The program is authorized by Section 11502 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 provided the first funding for the program, making up to $5 million available for Fiscal Year 2026 awards, subject to the availability of funds. The purpose of the program is to provide financial assistance for bollard installation projects designed to prevent pedestrian injuries and acts of terrorism in areas used by large numbers of pedestrians. The program particularly emphasizes projects that address core infrastructure, safety, economic competitiveness, benefits to families and communities, and innovative approaches. Eligible applicants are State Departments of Transportation and local government entities, including cities, counties, towns, parishes, villages, and other general-purpose political subdivisions of a State. An eligible bollard installation project installs raised concrete or metal posts on a sidewalk adjacent to a roadway that are designed to slow or stop a motor vehicle. Funded bollard systems should meet ASTM F2656, ASTM 3016, U.S. Department of State SD-STD-02.01, or PAS 68 standards. If a proposed system does not meet one of the specified standards, the applicant must provide independent third-party engineering and physical testing reports demonstrating that the system can mitigate the identified vehicle threat. Applications using a mix of certified and non-certified bollards must explain how the systems will be effectively integrated. There is no limit on the number of applications an applicant may submit, although applicants submitting multiple applications must indicate their funding priority. The program will award up to $5 million through cost-reimbursable grant agreements, and the notice establishes no minimum or maximum individual award amount. The Federal share of eligible activities may be up to 100 percent, so a non-Federal match is not required by this funding opportunity. Applicants combining these funds with other Federal funds must comply with the cost-sharing requirements applicable to each Federal funding source. Costs incurred before DOT obligates funds are generally ineligible for reimbursement unless DOT provides written authorization after award selections are announced. Funds reimburse allowable, reasonable, and allocable costs incurred after execution of the grant agreement and submission of valid reimbursement requests. Award funds are subject to applicable Federal administrative requirements, domestic preference requirements, and other Federal laws and policies. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov. Applicants must be registered in SAM.gov before submitting and must provide a valid Unique Entity Identifier. The application package includes SF-424, SF-424C, the Grants.gov Lobbying Form, SF-424D, SF-LLL, and the Bollards Competitive Grant Program Application Template attached to Item 15 of the SF-424. The application must provide a project budget, either in the Application Template or as an attachment, showing the amount and percentage of Federal funding requested and any additional non-Federal funding. DOT will review only the completed Application Template and allowable supplemental documents identified in the template instructions, such as budgets, schedules, and design plans. Applications that are late, incomplete, or duplicates for the same application round will not be reviewed. A non-State DOT applicant using Federal-aid formula funds apportioned to a State DOT must also provide a supporting letter from the State DOT agreeing to administer the project with the applicant serving as sub-recipient. DOT will first review applications for completeness and eligibility and then evaluate eligible applications against three merit criteria: Location and Contextual Design, Risk, and Project Effectiveness. Location and Contextual Design considers pedestrian activity, accessibility for people with disabilities and families with strollers, and innovative approaches that enhance or avoid impeding aesthetics without compromising safety. Risk considers vulnerability to intentional or unintentional vehicular impacts, potential hostile intentions based on community context, and protection of areas containing industries of national interest, economic hubs, or important community resources. Project Effectiveness considers measurable mitigation of vehicle impact risk, mitigation of terrorism risks, impacts from vehicles unintentionally striking bollards, preservation of roadway capacity and vehicular flow, and innovation in materials, design, or construction. Applications receiving Medium or High merit ratings undergo a Project Readiness Assessment covering technical capacity and feasibility, financial completeness, and permitting risk. DOT may also prioritize geographic diversity, highly visible tourism areas or critical transportation infrastructure, complementary security or streetscape improvements funded from other sources, and projects leveraging additional funding. The application period opened August 10, 2026, and applications are due through Grants.gov by 11:59:59 PM EST on September 09, 2026. No separate letter of intent, concept paper, or other pre-application gating deadline is identified in the notice. DOT anticipates announcing award selections during the week of November 16, 2026. Selection does not authorize project performance or costs; awards become effective upon execution of a grant agreement between DOT and the recipient. Fiscal Year 2026 program funds must be obligated by September 30, 2029, and have an expenditure deadline of September 30, 2034. The anticipated award period of performance is between one and four years and begins when the grant agreement is executed. Selected recipients must submit semi-annual progress reports and semi-annual Federal Financial Reports and report required performance measures. The agency contact identified in the notice is Janelle Hinton at janelle.hinton@dot.gov. No recurring application schedule or future application cycle is stated in the notice.

Demonstrate heavy pedestrian activity with pedestrian volume data and explain accessibility for people with disabilities and families with strollers. Address intentional and unintentional vehicle risks and connect the mitigation strategy to measurable outcomes tied to identified vulnerabilities. Show that the project will not impede roadway capacity or vehicular flow and explain innovative design, materials, construction or aesthetic approaches where applicable. Demonstrate technical feasibility, staffing resources, timely delivery, complete cost estimates, funding availability, cost-overrun planning, future maintenance funding and permitting readiness. Clearly address applicable DOT priority considerations, including highly visible tourism areas or critical transportation infrastructure, complementary security or streetscape measures, geographic considerations and leverage of other funding sources.