Tribal Transportation Safety Strategy Pilot Program
A $2 million grant will fund a university-led consortium to use AI and strategic planning to reduce traffic deaths and build safety infrastructure in Tribal communities over three years.
Funder: 69A355 Research and Technology
Due Dates: August 28, 2026: Full application submission deadline
Funding Amounts: $2,000,000 total federal funding (single award); 3-year project; 50% cost share required (total project $3,000,000)
Summary: Supports a consortium led by a higher education institution to develop and pilot innovative strategies for improving transportation safety in Tribal communities.
Key Information: Requires 50% non-federal cost match; only one award will be made.
Description
This program, administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R), seeks to address the disproportionately high rates of traffic fatalities in Tribal communities. The award supports a consortium, led by an accredited institution of higher education, to research, develop, and implement next-generation Tribal Transportation Strategic Safety Plans. The project includes creating a comprehensive set of training materials, analysis tools for data-limited environments, and risk-based safety planning guidelines, culminating in a pilot demonstration with at least one Federally recognized Tribal community with a high fatality rate.
