Opportunity Information: Apply for FM DTG 26 001
The FY2026 Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training Program (CMVOST) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), designed to strengthen safety in the commercial trucking and motorcoach workforce by helping organizations deliver high-quality operator training to people preparing to earn a Commercial Driver's License (CDL). The core purpose is to support training that emphasizes the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs), with the broader public-safety goal of reducing crashes, injuries, and fatalities by improving driver readiness before new operators enter the industry.
A central priority of this program is expanding access to CMV operator safety training for military-connected participants. The program specifically prioritizes current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, including National Guard members and Reservists, and it also extends this priority to certain military family members. In practical terms, applicants should expect that proposals demonstrating clear, well-structured outreach and training pipelines for these populations, along with strong placement or transition support into CMV careers, will be especially aligned with the program's intent.
Eligibility is broad and includes a mix of public-sector, education, and nonprofit entities. Eligible applicants include state governments; county governments; city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and nonprofits that do not have 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education). This wide eligibility is meant to accommodate the reality that CDL and CMV training is often delivered through community colleges, workforce and technical programs, local or regional training initiatives, and partnerships that connect education providers with employers and public agencies.
The opportunity is offered as a grant under the transportation funding activity area and is listed under CFDA number 20.235. The funding opportunity number is FM-DTG-26-001. The maximum award amount (award ceiling) is $200,000 per award, and FMCSA anticipates making about 25 awards, which suggests a competitive selection process where applicants will need to clearly show need, readiness to execute, and a strong safety-focused training approach. Because it is a discretionary program, awards are not automatically distributed by formula; instead, applications are evaluated and selected based on the program's criteria and priorities.
Timing-wise, the opportunity was created on May 18, 2026, and the original application closing date is June 17, 2026. Applicants considering this program should plan around that deadline and ensure they can assemble a complete application package on time, including a clear training plan for future CDL holders, evidence of capacity to deliver the training, and a strong explanation of how the proposed project advances CMV safety outcomes and serves the priority military-connected populations.
In short, CMVOST is a targeted FMCSA grant that helps eligible organizations fund safe CMV operator training for prospective CDL drivers, with a strong emphasis on supporting veterans, service members (including Guard and Reserve), and certain military family members. The program’s structure, relatively modest per-award cap, and expected number of awards indicate it is intended to seed or expand practical training initiatives that can demonstrably improve safety and workforce entry outcomes rather than fund large-scale infrastructure or long-term operating budgets.Apply for FM DTG 26 001
- The DOT-Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY2026 Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training Program (CMVOST)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.235.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-18.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-17. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $200,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 25 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.
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FY2026 Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training Program (CMVOST) - FAQs
What is the FY2026 CMVOST grant?
The FY2026 Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training Program (CMVOST) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). It is designed to strengthen safety in the commercial trucking and motorcoach workforce by supporting organizations that deliver high-quality commercial motor vehicle (CMV) operator safety training to people preparing to earn a Commercial Driver's License (CDL).
What is the main purpose of CMVOST?
The core purpose is to fund training that emphasizes the safe operation of commercial motor vehicles. The broader public-safety goal is to reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities by improving driver readiness before new operators enter the industry.
Who is the grant intended to serve?
The program supports training for individuals preparing to earn a CDL and enter CMV careers. A central priority is expanding access to training for military-connected participants, including current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces (including National Guard members and Reservists) and certain military family members.
Which populations are prioritized under this grant?
CMVOST specifically prioritizes current and former U.S. Armed Forces service members, including National Guard members and Reservists. The priority also extends to certain military family members. Proposals that demonstrate clear, well-structured outreach and training pipelines for these groups are especially aligned with the program's intent.
What kinds of projects are a good fit for CMVOST?
Projects that provide practical, safety-focused CMV operator training for prospective CDL drivers and that can show a clear plan for execution, outreach (especially to military-connected participants), and support for transition into CMV careers. The program is described as intended to seed or expand training initiatives that can demonstrably improve safety and workforce entry outcomes.
What does "discretionary grant" mean in this context?
It means funding is not distributed automatically by formula. Applications are evaluated and selected based on FMCSA program criteria and priorities, making it a competitive opportunity where applicants need to clearly demonstrate need, readiness to execute, and a strong safety-focused training approach.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes the following types of entities: state governments; county governments; city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; and nonprofits that do not have 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education).
Are education and workforce training providers eligible?
Yes. The eligible categories include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. The opportunity notes that CDL and CMV training is often delivered through community colleges, workforce and technical programs, local or regional training initiatives, and partnerships connecting education providers with employers and public agencies.
Can tribal governments apply?
Yes. Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are listed as eligible applicants.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $200,000 per award.
How many awards does FMCSA expect to make?
FMCSA anticipates making about 25 awards.
Does the expected number of awards indicate competition?
Yes. With an award ceiling of $200,000 and an expectation of about 25 awards, the program is positioned as competitive, with applications being selected based on program criteria and priorities rather than distributed by formula.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA number 20.235.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is FM-DTG-26-001.
What is the funding activity area?
The funding opportunity is offered as a grant under the transportation funding activity area.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on May 18, 2026.
What is the application deadline?
The original application closing date is June 17, 2026.
What should applicants plan to include in an application?
Based on the opportunity description, applicants should be prepared to submit a complete application package that includes a clear training plan for future CDL holders, evidence of capacity to deliver the training, and a strong explanation of how the project advances CMV safety outcomes and serves the priority military-connected populations.
What types of proposal features are especially aligned with FMCSA's intent?
Proposals that include clear and well-structured outreach and training pipelines for military-connected participants, along with strong placement or transition support into CMV careers, are described as especially aligned with the program's intent.
Is CMVOST meant to fund large infrastructure projects?
The description suggests it is not primarily intended for large-scale infrastructure. The relatively modest per-award cap and the expected number of awards indicate the program is intended to seed or expand practical training initiatives rather than fund large-scale infrastructure or long-term operating budgets.
What safety outcomes is the program trying to improve?
The program aims to improve CMV operator readiness and safe operation practices before new drivers enter the industry, with the broader goal of reducing crashes, injuries, and fatalities.
Does the program focus only on trucking?
No. The opportunity references both the commercial trucking and motorcoach workforce, indicating the training focus includes CMV operator safety broadly across these segments.
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