FY2026 Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training Program (CMVOST)

The Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. This program is designed to improve roadway safety by increasing the number of trained commercial motor vehicle operators and reducing crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses. The program is authorized under federal statute and supported through infrastructure legislation funding, reflecting a national priority to strengthen workforce readiness in the transportation sector while enhancing public safety outcomes. The primary purpose of this grant is to provide financial assistance to organizations that offer training programs for individuals seeking to operate commercial motor vehicles. A key emphasis is placed on serving current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including National Guard and Reserve members, as well as their families. These individuals are defined as qualified students and are prioritized for funding consideration. The program supports tuition-based training that leads to obtaining a commercial driver’s license, including first-time licensure, upgrades, and endorsements, provided that all training complies with federal Entry-Level Driver Training requirements. Funding under this opportunity is limited to specific allowable costs. Eligible expenses include the training provider’s published tuition rate and approved indirect costs. The program explicitly excludes funding for salaries, administrative expenses, and other operational overhead not included in tuition. Reimbursement is cost-based, meaning recipients must initially cover expenses and then request reimbursement for allowable costs. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement for this funding cycle, which lowers barriers to entry for eligible applicants. Eligible applicants include a broad range of public and private entities such as state and local governments, institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, small businesses, and tribal governments. All applicants must meet accreditation or certification requirements, including approval by recognized federal or state agencies, and must be listed in the federal Training Provider Registry. This ensures that all funded training programs meet established federal safety and quality standards. The application process requires submission through the federal Grants.gov portal and includes multiple mandatory components. Applicants must submit standard federal forms such as SF-424, SF-424A, and SF-424B, along with a detailed project narrative and budget narrative. The project narrative must describe recruitment strategies, training curriculum, performance goals, and evaluation methods. Applications are evaluated through a competitive process based on technical merit, cost reasonableness, program alignment, and past performance where applicable. Applications are due by June 17, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Late submissions are generally not accepted unless extraordinary circumstances apply. The agency anticipates making approximately 25 awards, with a maximum of 200,000 dollars per award and a total program funding level of approximately 3,500,000 dollars. The period of performance extends through the fiscal year of award plus two additional fiscal years, allowing recipients sufficient time to implement and complete training activities. Applicants may direct financial or programmatic questions to designated contacts within the agency via email or phone. Following submission, applications undergo eligibility screening, technical review, and final selection by agency leadership. Award notifications are issued electronically, and recipients must comply with all federal reporting, monitoring, and administrative requirements throughout the grant lifecycle.

Emphasize measurable training outcomes and placement rates; align program with military and veteran populations; ensure budget strictly reflects allowable tuition costs; provide strong evaluation metrics and benchmarks