If your state agency is responsible for handling highway safety or commercial motor vehicle (CMV) regulations, a significant opportunity for federal funding is now available.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) posted the Fiscal Year 2027 Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) grant opportunity on August 6, 2026, with nearly $495 million available for all State governments.
If you are interested in the FY 2027 MCSAP Grant: How States Can Apply for Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan Funding, please read all required information, such as about this grant program, who can apply, required documents, application process, final deadlines, and how to track your application status and more.
FY 2027 FMCSA MCSAP Grant Opportunity: Highlights
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding Opportunity Number | FM-MCG-27-001 |
| Title | Development of Fiscal Year 2027 Commercial Vehicle Safety Plans to Support National Safety Goals |
| Agency | DOT – Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) |
| Assistance Listing | 20.218 – Motor Carrier Safety Assistance |
| Total Estimated Funding | $494,962,500 |
| Expected Number of Awards | 56 |
| Award Floor | $470,000 |
| Award Ceiling | $55,000,000 |
| Eligible Applicants | State governments |
| Cost Sharing / Matching | Yes |
| Posted Date | August 6, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | September 30, 2026 |
| Archive Date | October 30, 2026 |
What is the MCSAP Grant?
The Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) is a federal formula grant program. Its purpose is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities involving large trucks and buses, along with incidents involving hazardous materials transport.
Because it is a formula grant, the funding is allocated based on established federal criteria rather than a fully open competition. These funds assist states and U.S. territories in implementing CMV safety programs, conducting roadside inspections, reviewing regulatory compliance, and enforcing federal safety regulations.
Who Can Apply?
The MCSAP Grant iss not for private trucking companies, individual drivers, or small businesses. It is available for State governments‘ applicants. In most cases, the applicant will be the state Department of Transportation, Department of Public Safety, Highway Patrol, or the agency responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement.
Required Documents
All details regarding FM-MCG-27-001 will be provided in the official application package available on Grants.gov. That package is considered final, so please download it before you start writing anything.
Nevertheless, states applying for federal transportation grants generally need to prepare the following:
- Grants.gov account registration: Your agency must be registered and have the appropriate E-Business Point of Contact (POC) roles assigned.
- SAM.gov registration: Your agency’s registration must be active with the correct Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
- Application package forms: Retrieved directly from the “Package” tab on Grants.gov for opportunity FM-MCG-27-001.
- Fiscal Year 2027 Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan: The key document detailing alignment with your state’s enforcement strategy, security goals, and national security priorities.
- Budget documentation: A detailed budget showing how the funds will be utilized; this includes staff, equipment, training, and implementation-related activities.
- Matching funds documentation: Since cost-sharing is required, your agency must demonstrate how state or local funds will provide an amount equal to the federal grant.
- Certifications and assurances: Standard federal forms, including those covering debarment, lobbying, and compliance with federal regulations.
Note, please: Do not rely solely on the previous year’s package. Always ensure that you are using documents for the current financial year (FY) 2027.
How to Apply for this Grant?
Applying for MCSAP funding involves two separate systems:
- You can apply for this grant on the official Grants.gov site; go to this page and click on the Apply button.
- Create a login for your account using login credentials.
- Fill out the application form, which includes the usual federal forms (SF-424 series), budget information, assurances, lobbying disclosure, key personnel details, and the required State Certification.
- After completing the form, review and submit it.
The official application closing date on Grants.gov is September 30, 2026. In practice, most documents must be submitted earlier to allow the FMCSA time for review. Please refer to the FY 2027 MCSAP Planning Memorandum for the complete list of required documents and precise details regarding internal deadlines.
Application Status Check
Once your agency submits the application, you can track its status in the following ways:
- Grants.gov– Login your account on the Grants.gov site and check the submission status. You will see common statuses include “Received,” “Validated,” “Rejected,” or “Agency Review.”
- Email notifications – Grants.gov automatically sends an email when your application is received, validated, or rejected. Make sure to keep a close watch on your inbox (and spam folder).
- FMCSA state liaison – If you have specific questions about whether your plan meets the safety goals for FY 2027, you may contact your division’s FMCSA State Liaison.
- Grants.gov Support – For technical issues with submission or status tracking, call the Grants.gov Contact Center at 1-800-518-4726 (available 24/7, except federal holidays).
If your status shows “Rejected,” contact Grants.gov support immediately. Depending on the reason, there may still be time to fix the problem before the deadline.
Cost Sharing Requirement
The FY 2027 MCSAP opportunity includes a cost-sharing or matching requirement. This means your state must contribute its own resources alongside federal funds.
When preparing your application, clearly specify how the matching funds will be provided. This may include funds from the state budget, staff time, equipment, or other approved in-kind contributions.
Deadlines
- Posted Date: August 6, 2026
- Application Deadline: September 30, 2026
- Archive Date: October 30, 2026
Those preparing applications for state grants know that the late-September deadline requires coordinating various achievements. Start early to avoid delays caused by the budget office.
Contact us
If your team is experiencing any difficulty viewing the full announcement or submitting it electronically, please contact:
Grants.gov Contact Center Phone: 1-800-518-4726 Email: support@grants.gov Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (closed on federal holidays)
For questions regarding FMCSA program requirements, contact your designated FMCSA State Liaison or the grant contact person listed in the official package.
