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 statute and supported through recent infrastructure legislation, reflecting a national priority to improve safety in the transportation of hazardous materials. The program is structured as a competitive discretionary grant designed to support nonprofit organizations that can deliver training and outreach at a national level. Its overarching goal is to strengthen preparedness and response capabilities for incidents involving hazardous materials, including flammable liquids transported by rail. The primary purpose of the grant is to fund organizations that can design and implement training programs for state and local personnel responsible for enforcing hazardous materials transportation regulations. In addition, the program supports national outreach efforts aimed at helping communities understand risks and prepare for potential incidents. Applicants must demonstrate the ability to deliver both educational programming and practical training that improves safety outcomes and enhances coordination between stakeholders such as emergency responders, planners, and industry participants. Funding for the program totals one million dollars, with individual awards expected to range between two hundred fifty thousand and five hundred thousand dollars. Funds must be used strictly for allowable activities related to training and outreach, and several restrictions apply. Costs such as entertainment, alcohol, excessive administrative supplies, and certain personnel expenses are not eligible. Pre-award costs are also prohibited without prior approval. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement, making the program accessible to eligible nonprofits without requiring additional financial contributions. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit organizations recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as tax-exempt entities, including those under section 501(c)(3) and other qualifying categories. These organizations must have the capacity to deliver national-level training or outreach programs and must not use federal funds for lobbying activities. For-profit entities are explicitly excluded. Applicants must also maintain compliance with federal financial assistance regulations and demonstrate the ability to manage grant funds through auditable accounting systems. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov, and applicants are required to complete standard federal forms along with several narrative attachments. Required components include a project narrative, budget narrative, and supporting documentation such as indirect cost agreements and letters of support if applicable. Applicants must also maintain active registrations in federal systems including SAM and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier. The application process emphasizes completeness, clarity, and alignment with evaluation criteria outlined in the notice. The evaluation process includes administrative, technical, and programmatic reviews. Reviewers assess the applicant’s ability to deliver effective training, engage communities, and produce measurable outcomes. Technical criteria focus on outreach strategies, curriculum development, and training delivery capacity, while programmatic criteria evaluate organizational experience, project design, and expected impact. Applications must clearly demonstrate how proposed activities will improve safety and address identified needs. Key dates for the funding cycle include a posting date in mid-May, a question deadline shortly before the application deadline, and a final submission deadline in mid-June. Awards are expected to be announced by the end of September, with a performance period ranging from twelve to twenty-four months. During the grant period, recipients must submit progress and financial reports and comply with federal reporting requirements. The program is issued annually, indicating a recurring funding opportunity for qualified nonprofit organizations.

Ensure strong demonstration of training capacity and measurable safety outcomes; align budget narrative closely with project activities; clearly define outputs such as number of trainees and courses; emphasize national reach and collaboration with stakeholders