Community Traffic Safety Grant Program

The Community Traffic Safety Grant Program is administered by the Massachusetts Office of Grants and Research (OGR) under its Highway Safety Division. This funding opportunity operates as a continuation grant rather than a competitive program. It is exclusively available to nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts that previously received funding under the FFY25 Underserved Communities Traffic Safety Grant Program. OGR functions as the state administering agency for federal highway safety funds allocated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), aiming to support community-based projects that reduce motor vehicle crashes, fatalities, and injuries across the Commonwealth. The grant’s primary objective is to enhance road safety within local Massachusetts communities by supporting nonprofit-led initiatives that target both motorists and vulnerable road users such as bicyclists and pedestrians. Applicants must identify underserved communities using statewide traffic safety data and demonstrate a problem-driven need. Proposed projects must be grounded in evidence-based strategies or countermeasures and aim to reduce crash rates and their associated human and economic costs. The grant encourages partnerships among local organizations such as parent-teacher groups, senior centers, community organizations, schools, and traffic safety coalitions. Total funding available for this cycle is $300,000, with a maximum award cap of $75,000 per grantee. Only one application per nonprofit organization may be submitted. Partnering agencies must be clearly identified in proposals. This is a cost-reimbursement grant, meaning awardees will be required to submit monthly expenditure reports to receive funding. All grant-funded activities must be completed within the performance period from October 1, 2025 to September 15, 2026. No extensions will be allowed beyond this period. There is no cost-sharing or match requirement associated with this opportunity. Eligible costs include personnel, fringe benefits, indirect costs (subject to federal de minimis or approved rates), consultants/contractors, equipment/software, travel, supplies, and miscellaneous costs with prior approval. Unallowable expenses include general government costs, promotional items, sales tax, administrative overhead, extended warranties, and activities unrelated to direct program implementation. Invoices and receipts are required for all reimbursements, and equipment purchases must meet federal Buy America requirements. The application process requires submission of a completed online application form, an Excel-based budget worksheet, risk assessment form, 501(c)(3) documentation (if applicable), and any applicable federally approved cost rate agreements. Applications must be submitted electronically by 4:00 PM ET on September 24, 2025. A Q&A submission window is available until September 10, 2025. Awards are tentatively scheduled to be announced in October 2025. Public communications related to grant activities must acknowledge NHTSA funding and the role of the MA Office of Grants and Research. Applications will be evaluated based on completeness, alignment with state and federal priorities, and clarity in meeting grant objectives. The scoring criteria include applicant information, needs assessment, project description, countermeasure strategies, partnering agencies, SMART goals with implementation plans, and budget clarity. For more information or technical assistance, applicants may contact Taylor Keown at Taylor.Keown@mass.gov.

Do not include unrequested documents. Submit only required forms. Ensure timely and complete monthly reporting. Public outreach must cite NHTSA support.