653123 - 2027 GTSB Highway Safety Grants
Funding Opportunity Details

Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau

Final Application Deadline: Feb 28, 2026 11:59 PM

Description

• GUIDELINES FOR TRAFFIC SAFETY APPLICATIONS

  Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau - Iowa Department of Public Safety

  February 2026

  The Iowa Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau (GTSB) administers the highway safety program through the development and implementation of highway safety programs through data-driven, evidence-based solutions to save lives, prevent injuries and reduce economic costs due to traffic crashes. Currently authorized through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), the IIJA Act authorizes the federal surface transportation programs for highways, highway safety and transit. Federal highway safety programs are administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation, established in 1966 to combat the growing number of traffic related deaths and injuries.

  The mission of GTSB is to identify traffic safety issues and, through partnerships with city, county, state and local organizations, develop and implement strategies to reduce deaths and injuries on Iowa's roads.

  GTSB funding addresses specific traffic safety problem identification in the state’s Triennial Highway Safety Plan and Annual Grant Application. Grant applications should be data driven, using proven effective and innovative countermeasures to affect driver behavior to reduce fatalities, serious injuries and crashes on Iowa roadways. NHTSA’s “Countermeasures That Work” lists effective, science-based traffic safety countermeasures to address traffic safety problems. The guide is not intended to be a comprehensive list of countermeasures available for use but can provide effective and innovative ideas to address traffic safety issues.

  We highly encourage you to utilize the data and strategies in your County’s Safety Action Plan to support your application for funding. Incorporating these localized priorities into your proposal helps demonstrate a coordinated, evidence-based approach to improving traffic safety across Iowa.

  Traffic safety grant awarded projects may include the following focus:

  • Bicycle Safety
  • Data Program Improvements to Core Highway Safety Systems
  • Distracted Driving
  • High Visibility Enforcement
  • Motorcycle Safety
  • Occupant Protection
  • Older Driver Safety
  • Prevention and Intervention
  • Public Information Campaigns
  • Roadway Safety
  • Traffic Safety Outreach and Education
  • Traffic Safety Research, Planning, and Data Integration
  • Young Driver Safety

   

  Applications are accepted annually in February and must be submitted electronically via IowaGrants. Instructions for completing the application can be found here.

  A UEI verified in SAM.gov is required in the application. The organization name listed in the UEI verification must match the organization name on the application in IowaGrants. In addition, the sub-recipient must be verified as not debarred or suspended in SAM.gov.

  Applications may be denied if: the application is not submitted by midnight on the due date; the organization does not have a verifiable UEI number; the project is out of the scope of GTSB funding; the project does not further the GTSB countermeasures identified in the Triennial Highway Safety Plan/Annual Grant Application; the funding allotted for the year has been fully awarded; or the internal risk assessment conducted results in concerns regarding application content, project implementation, or financial risk.

  Cost sharing and match dollars are provided by the Iowa State Patrol. A separate funding source for each project is not required.

  Once submitted, the application will be reviewed by a Program Administrator. Questions and clarification requests may be made throughout the process. Once an application is determined complete, a Program Administrator will conduct a risk assessment in IowaGrants.

  The risk assessment is completed on each complete application and includes a review of the project, and the applicant’s experience managing grant funding, specifically a GTSB grant. Prior completed year funding usage, completion of project activities, timeliness of reports, goal completion, and cost effectiveness are considerations for funding.

  Awarded traffic safety projects will receive notification via email from GTSB on or around April 17th. This letter, while offering the award, is contingent on approval of the Triennial Highway Safety Plan and/or Annual Grant Application. Projects not funded will be notified via email.

  Costs prior to the beginning of the project on October 1 must be approved in writing by GTSB and NHTSA. Equipment over $10,000 must receive written NHTSA approval prior to order.

  Approved and funded traffic safety projects execute one-year project agreements between GTSB and the subrecipient, generally from October 1 – September 30. The agency head or suitable authority must sign the project agreement.

  GTSB are reimbursement grants, and funds are provided through reimbursement claims submitted in IowaGrants after project costs are incurred. GTSB policies and procedures can be found here. Claims for reimbursement must be submitted within 90 days of the expense occurring and must have a status report that details the work performed during that same period.

  Grant monitoring is completed throughout the project year through claim and status report review. A minimum of 1 monitoring visit will be completed per year. Additional visits may be scheduled at the GTSB’s discretion.

  Applications must be received by GTSB before midnight on February 28th for consideration in the program year beginning October 1st.

   

  For Further Information/Assistance, contact the Governor's Traffic Safety Bureau at 515-725-6126

  Applications must be submitted online via www.iowagrants.gov

  Deadline: February 28