FY 2025 HMEP Grant Program States and Territories

The Hazardous Materials Emergency Preparedness (HMEP) Grant for States and Territories for Fiscal Year 2025 is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The program supports planning and training activities aimed at enhancing the safe transportation of hazardous materials (HAZMAT) within states and U.S. territories. This funding opportunity marks the first year of a three-year grant cycle, and applicants are encouraged to submit project plans that encompass the full three-year span, even though funding will be allocated annually through continuation applications. The primary purpose of the HMEP grant is to improve emergency planning and response capabilities for HAZMAT incidents. The program supports projects such as commodity flow studies, tabletop exercises, development or updates of emergency response and hazard mitigation plans, HAZMAT response training and drills, and related training equipment and supplies. Funding is also allowed for administrative expenses including personnel salaries, stipends, and contractor support, provided they align with the program’s guidance on allowable costs. However, expenses such as training fees for local personnel, unrelated office supplies, and entertainment costs are not reimbursable. Eligible applicants include all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories including Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam. Tribes are not eligible under this specific grant and must apply through a separate HMEP Tribal Grant Program. Each applicant must have a designation letter from the state governor or equivalent designating the responsible entity to manage the grant. A 20 percent match of the total project cost is required from states and Puerto Rico, which may be met through in-kind contributions or direct costs. Applications must be submitted electronically through www.grants.gov by June 20, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. EST. Applicants are strongly encouraged to register in advance at grants.gov and maintain active registrations in the System for Award Management (SAM) and FedConnect. Questions regarding the application are due by June 13, 2025. The application package must include completed standard forms (e.g., SF-424, SF-424A), narratives (project and budget), letters of support if applicable, and other documentation as detailed in the NOFO. PHMSA evaluates applications based on both technical and programmatic merit. Criteria include the clarity and feasibility of the project plan, alignment with program goals, detailed budget justifications, use of funds for programmatic versus administrative activities, and previous performance in managing similar grants. The review also considers civil rights compliance, data collection capabilities, and readiness to support evaluation efforts. Awards will be announced by September 30, 2025, with a performance start date of October 1, 2025. The primary point of contact for this grant is Carla Sheppard, who can be reached at 202-366-1109 or via email at HMEP.grants@dot.gov. Additional support is available through grants.gov and FedConnect for technical issues related to submission and registration.

Ensure early registration with grants.gov, SAM, and FedConnect. Applications must be complete, clear, and free from budget errors. Ensure all evaluation criteria are addressed, especially cost justifications and use of funds.