U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP)

Federal program · program number 20.705 (the federal Assistance Listing number) · also called “Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness Grant States, Territories and Tribes”

Open now: None right now
Closed for this year: 1 grant, next round estimated
Type of help: Grant
Typical award: HMEP grant award ranges are $60,000 - $1,500,000. State and Territory HMEP awards are allocated based on a formula that accounts for risk and population.
Deadlines: Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines Contact the PHMSA headquarters location for the appropriate application deadlines.

Closed for this year

This year's round is over. GrantMe estimated the next round from last year's dates.

FY 2026 HMEP Planning and Training Grant for Tribes · Next round: about May 18 – Jun 24, 2027 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder

What it pays for

PHMSA�s goal is to ensure that responders trained under the grant can protect nearby persons, property, and the environment from the effects of accidents or incidents involving HAZMAT transportation. PHMSA�s goal for planning activities is to develop, improve, and carry out emergency plans under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-To-Know Act of 1986 (42 U.S.C. � 11001 et seq.), including ascertaining flow patterns of hazardous material on land. This Assistance Listing 20.705 created in July 2025 was included in the previous ALN 20.703, please refer to former ALN 20.703 for FY24 and FY25 financial obligations. DOT will utilize the new Assistance Listing 20.705 at the start of FY 2026.

Who can apply

The HMEP Grant Program is authorized under 49 U.S.C. � 5116 and provides federal financial and technical assistance to states, territories, and federally recognized tribes to increase local effectiveness in safely and efficiently handling hazardous materials (HAZMAT) in accidents and incidents.

How applications are judged

HMEP: Not applicable for grants to States and Territories. Grants made to Tribes will be in accordance with the following selection criteria: (1) Potential Benefit; (2) Priority Need; (3) Number of Public Sector Employees Trained; (4) Long Term Benefit to Tribe; (5) Past Performance.

Match

Percent: 20 HMEP grant only. Matching requirements are mandatory. Matching requirements are mandatory.

Examples of funded projects

Fiscal year 2025: Eligible grant projects/expenses include, but are not limited to: � Commodity flow studies � Tabletop exercises � Emergency response plans (creation and updates) � HAZMAT response training � HAZMAT training drills � Training equipment � HAZMAT training conferences � Hazard mitigation plans � Salaries/fringe benefits for HMEP program administrators � Supplies to conduct training and planning activities � Contract support costs related to HMEP planning and training activities � Personnel overtime, backfill, and stipends, if the costs follow the HMEP Guidance on Backfill, Overtime, and Stipends