2026 Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund

The U.S. Department of Transportation through the Federal Highway Administration is offering the Tribal Transportation Program Safety Fund Grants for fiscal years 2022 through 2026. This funding is part of the Tribal Transportation Program authorized under section 202(e) of Title 23, United States Code, and seeks to address highway safety issues and opportunities on Tribal lands. Since its inception under the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act, the program has distributed approximately $141 million to federally recognized Indian Tribes for over one thousand projects designed to reduce deaths and serious injuries in transportation-related crashes in Tribal areas. The program is grounded in the Department of Transportation’s National Roadway Safety Strategy, which establishes the goal of eliminating roadway fatalities. Funded projects must align with transportation safety plans that are data-driven and address identified hazards or safety issues. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, safety plans, data assessment and analysis, systemic roadway departure countermeasures, and infrastructure improvements such as roadway modifications, pedestrian and bicyclist safety enhancements, intersection improvements, and installation of guardrails or rumble strips. For fiscal year 2025, applications that were submitted by the original January 15, 2025 deadline may be revised until September 16, 2025. No new applications are being accepted for fiscal year 2025. For fiscal year 2026, applications open on October 1, 2025, and must be submitted by January 15, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Applications must be submitted electronically through the FHWA Office of Tribal Transportation’s website, and late applications will not be considered unless there are unforeseen technical issues beyond the applicant’s control. Applications should include a project narrative or responses depending on the funding category, cost estimates, and relevant supporting safety data. Eligible applicants are federally recognized Indian Tribes listed by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. While other entities may partner with Tribes, only Tribes may submit applications directly. There is no required matching contribution, although FHWA may prioritize projects that demonstrate leveraged funding from other sources when requests exceed available funding. Projects must demonstrate readiness, cost effectiveness, and a strong likelihood of reducing transportation-related fatalities and injuries. Applications will be evaluated against merit-based criteria for each category, with ratings of Highly Qualified, Qualified, or Not Qualified assigned based on planning, data support, expected outcomes, and facility ownership. Funding is available up to $23.1 million in fiscal year 2022, rising to approximately $25.1 million by fiscal year 2026, subject to annual appropriations. The anticipated maximum available funding is $24,518,400 for fiscal year 2025 and $25,118,400 for fiscal year 2026. Awards will be distributed through existing contracting methods with FHWA or the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and unexpended funds must be returned to FHWA. Projects not under contract within three years of award announcement risk forfeiture of funding. For further information about the application process, interested applicants may contact Adam Larsen, TTPSF Program Manager, Office of Tribal Transportation, Office of Federal Lands Highway, Federal Highway Administration, at TTPSF@dot.gov or by phone at 360-619-2601. Legal questions should be directed to Michelle Andotra, Office of the Chief Counsel, Federal Highway Administration, at Michelle.Andotra@dot.gov or by phone at 404-562-3679. Both contacts have specific weekday office hours. Supplemental information, including frequently asked questions and prior project listings, is available on the FHWA website.