FY 2026 Community Safety Grant (CSG)

The Community Safety Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. This program is authorized under federal law and supported by recent infrastructure legislation, reflecting the federal government’s ongoing commitment to improving the safety of hazardous materials transportation. The program is designed as a competitive discretionary grant opportunity that prioritizes national-level training and outreach initiatives. Its focus is on strengthening the preparedness of communities and enforcement personnel in responding to incidents involving hazardous materials, including flammable liquids transported by rail. The primary purpose of the program is to fund nonprofit organizations that can deliver training and outreach programs addressing hazardous materials transportation risks. These efforts are intended to improve public safety outcomes by ensuring that both community stakeholders and state and local enforcement personnel are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to prevent, respond to, and manage hazardous materials incidents. Applicants must demonstrate the capacity to deliver either national outreach initiatives or structured training programs aligned with federal hazardous materials regulations and standards. The program provides a total of one million dollars in funding for the fiscal cycle, with individual awards typically ranging between two hundred fifty thousand and five hundred thousand dollars. Funds must be used strictly for allowable activities related to training and outreach. Certain costs are explicitly prohibited, including entertainment, alcohol, excessive administrative expenses, and personnel-related costs such as overtime or stipends for trainees. Pre-award costs are also not allowed without prior approval. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, which lowers the financial barrier for eligible organizations. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations recognized as tax-exempt under the Internal Revenue Code, including 501(c)(3) and other qualifying entities. These organizations must demonstrate the ability to conduct national-level programming and train personnel responsible for enforcing hazardous materials transportation safety. For-profit entities are not eligible, and nonprofit applicants must comply with restrictions on lobbying activities. Applicants are also required to maintain proper federal registrations, including active status in the System for Award Management and registration on Grants.gov. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes both standard federal forms and organization-prepared attachments. Required documents include the SF-424 application form, budget forms, certifications, and a project narrative detailing the proposed activities. Additional materials such as budget narratives, indirect cost documentation, and letters of support may also be required. Applicants are encouraged to prepare thoroughly due to the structured nature of the submission and the detailed evaluation criteria. Applications are evaluated based on both technical and programmatic criteria. Reviewers assess the applicant’s ability to deliver effective outreach or training programs, the clarity and feasibility of proposed activities, and the organization’s capacity to manage federal funds. Emphasis is placed on measurable outcomes, such as the number of individuals trained and the effectiveness of preparedness strategies. Applications must also demonstrate alignment between proposed activities and identified community needs, as well as include a monitoring and evaluation strategy. The timeline for this funding opportunity includes a posting date in mid-May, a question submission deadline in mid-June, and a final application deadline shortly thereafter. Awards are expected to be announced by the end of September, with a project performance period ranging from twelve to twenty-four months. Following award, recipients must comply with federal reporting requirements, including progress and financial reports, and may be required to participate in program evaluations to assess effectiveness and impact.

Ensure strong alignment between proposed activities and measurable safety outcomes; clearly justify budget and demonstrate training capacity; include detailed evaluation metrics and realistic output targets