FY 2026 Hmsi Grant Award

The Hazardous Materials State Inspection Grant Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation through the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. This program is designed to provide financial assistance to state agencies to support the inspection of hazardous materials shippers. The initiative stems from federal legislative authority and reflects a continued national commitment to improving the safe transportation of hazardous materials across the United States. By funding state-led inspection programs, the agency aims to reduce incidents, injuries, and fatalities associated with hazardous material transport while strengthening regulatory compliance. The core purpose of the program is to enable states to conduct inspections of hazardous materials shippers in accordance with federal Hazardous Materials Regulations and applicable international standards. These inspections may occur onsite or offsite and are intended to identify compliance gaps, respond to safety concerns, and ensure that companies maintain appropriate safety management controls. The program prioritizes activities that directly improve safety outcomes and increase oversight of hazardous material transportation systems. Funding under this program may be used for a defined set of allowable costs, including personnel expenses related to inspection activities, travel costs, inspection equipment such as protective gear and electronic devices, and training for inspectors. However, there are clear restrictions on funding usage. Costs such as overtime pay, general office expenses deemed excessive, entertainment, alcohol, or expenses reimbursed through other federal programs are not eligible. Pre-award costs are also disallowed unless explicitly approved. These parameters ensure that funds are used efficiently and strictly for programmatic purposes aligned with safety outcomes. Eligibility is limited to state agencies that possess the authority and capability to conduct hazardous materials inspections. Each state is permitted to submit only one application, and coordination among agencies within a state is encouraged to ensure a unified submission. Applicants must demonstrate compliance with federal financial management requirements and maintain systems capable of tracking and reporting expenditures in detail. Additionally, recipients must agree to share inspection data with the federal agency as part of ongoing program monitoring and evaluation. The application process requires submission through Grants.gov and includes both standard federal forms and program-specific attachments. Required components include forms such as the SF-424 and SF-424A, as well as project and budget narratives, certifications, and optional supporting documentation. Applicants must also maintain active registrations in federal systems including SAM and are encouraged to use FedConnect for communication. The review process includes administrative, technical, and programmatic evaluations, focusing on alignment with program goals, clarity of proposed activities, and the reasonableness of the budget. The application timeline is clearly defined, with the funding opportunity posted in mid-May and applications due in mid-June. Questions must be submitted prior to the application deadline. Awards are expected to be announced by the end of September, with a performance period ranging from 12 to 24 months. The program is funded on a reimbursement basis, requiring recipients to expend funds before seeking reimbursement. Reporting requirements include progress and financial reports, with additional evaluation participation potentially required. Overall, this grant program represents a targeted federal investment in state-level enforcement and safety oversight. By supporting inspection activities and strengthening compliance mechanisms, the program contributes to a safer national transportation system for hazardous materials while fostering collaboration between federal and state agencies.

Ensure proposed activities clearly align with hazardous materials inspection goals; provide detailed and justified budget narratives; include measurable outputs and timelines; demonstrate compliance capacity and clear need for inspection activities