FY 2026 Technical Assistance Information to Communities Grants

The Pipeline Safety Information Grants to Communities: Technical Assistance Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. This federal discretionary funding opportunity is designed to support local communities and groups of individuals in addressing pipeline safety concerns through access to technical expertise. The program reflects PHMSA’s broader mission to enhance the safety and reliability of the nation’s pipeline infrastructure while encouraging informed public engagement and transparency in safety-related decision-making processes. The primary purpose of the program is to enable communities to obtain technical assistance in the form of engineering analyses, scientific studies, and other expert evaluations related to pipeline safety. These efforts are intended to help communities better understand pipeline design, construction, and operation, and to strengthen their ability to participate effectively in discussions with regulators and operators. The program supports a range of activities including emergency response improvements, public awareness campaigns, damage prevention initiatives, land use planning strategies, and the development of pipeline safety resources. Funding under this opportunity includes a total anticipated program allocation of $2,001,304, with most individual awards capped at $100,000. In addition, a single award of $1,000,000 is available to a qualified nonprofit entity with demonstrated expertise in pipeline safety and technical assistance delivery. The period of performance for all awards is 12 months from the effective date, and applicants are expected to propose projects that can be fully completed within this timeframe. There are no cost-sharing or matching requirements associated with this program, which lowers barriers to participation for eligible entities. Eligible applicants include local governmental entities such as cities, towns, counties, tribes, and similar subdivisions, as well as groups of individuals. Nonprofit entities may also qualify for the larger technical assistance award if they meet specific criteria related to public safety advocacy and expertise. However, states, universities, and for-profit entities are explicitly excluded from eligibility. Applicants must ensure that proposed projects are new initiatives and not continuations or expansions of previously funded work under prior program cycles. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov, with applicants needing active registration in both Grants.gov and the System for Award Management. Required application components include standard federal forms such as the SF-424 and SF-424A, along with a detailed project narrative and budget justification. The budget narrative must clearly outline personnel, travel, equipment, and indirect costs, supported by detailed calculations and justifications. Applications are evaluated based on merit criteria that assess project goals, applicant experience, alignment with pipeline safety priorities, and the clarity of proposed outcomes and deliverables. The deadline for application submission is June 19, 2026, with questions due by June 17, 2026. PHMSA anticipates making award announcements no later than September 30, 2026. Applications undergo a multi-step review process including administrative, technical, and programmatic evaluations, as well as a risk assessment based on the applicant’s history and compliance record. Successful applicants must comply with federal reporting requirements, including mid-term and final progress and financial reports, and must ensure that findings are shared with relevant stakeholders. The program is offered on a recurring basis and has been active since 2009, during which time PHMSA has awarded over $21 million across hundreds of projects. This ongoing commitment highlights the importance of community involvement in pipeline safety and the value of technical expertise in supporting informed decision-making.

Align project goals with pipeline safety outcomes; provide measurable deliverables; demonstrate community engagement and technical credibility