2021–Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training Program | FM DTG 21 001

Opportunity Information: Apply for FM DTG 21 001

The 2021 Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training (CMVOST) Program is a discretionary funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), specifically the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). It supports projects that strengthen commercial motor vehicle (CMV) safety by improving the quality and reach of commercial driver training. The central idea is straightforward: put more well-trained, safety-focused commercial drivers on the road, and in doing so help reduce both the number of crashes involving CMVs and the severity of those crashes when they occur.

This opportunity has two tightly connected goals. First, it aims to expand the number of Commercial Driver's License (CDL) holders who have received enhanced operator safety training, meaning training that goes beyond minimum requirements and places a strong emphasis on safe driving practices, risk reduction, and operational competence. Second, it is designed to help people with military ties enter the commercial driving workforce by obtaining a CDL. That includes current or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces, National Guard members, Reservists, and certain eligible family members. In practice, the grant is meant to support training pathways and program designs that make it easier for these individuals to qualify for and earn a CDL while ensuring that safety outcomes are the main priority.

Funding is offered through grants and cooperative agreements under CFDA (Assistance Listing) 20.235, within the Transportation activity category. The maximum award amount listed is $200,000 per award, and the agency anticipated making about 10 awards. Because the instrument types include cooperative agreements, applicants should expect that FMCSA may have an active role in the project beyond simply issuing funds, such as involvement in oversight, coordination, or performance monitoring, depending on the specific award terms.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of organizations that can run or support driver training and workforce development efforts. Eligible applicants include state, county, city, or township governments; special district governments; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than higher education institutions); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses); small businesses; and other entities as clarified in the official eligibility notes. This wide eligibility reflects the reality that CDL training programs can be delivered by public agencies, community colleges, universities, nonprofits, and private-sector training providers, often in partnership with employers and workforce systems.

Key administrative details frame the opportunity as a time-limited 2021 cycle. The funding opportunity title is "2021 Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training Program," with the funding opportunity number FM DTG 21 001. The notice was created on January 28, 2021, and the original application closing date was March 15, 2021. The overall purpose statement is the controlling requirement: proposals must clearly connect their activities to improved CMV safety outcomes through enhanced training and/or expanded access to CDL attainment for military-affiliated participants and certain family members.

In summary, CMVOST is essentially a safety-and-workforce grant focused on CDL training, where the measure of success is not just more licensed drivers, but more drivers trained with a higher safety standard, with a special emphasis on supporting military service members, veterans, Guard and Reserve members, and some family members as they transition into commercial driving careers.

• The Department of Transportation, DOT-Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "2021–Commercial Motor Vehicle Operator Safety Training Program" 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 Jan 28, 2021.
• Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 15, 2021 No Explanation. (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 10 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).

Apply for FM DTG 21 001

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