Opportunity Information: Apply for 693JK326NF0010
The FY 2026 Assistance for Local Emergency Response Training (ALERT) Grant is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). It is designed to strengthen hazardous materials (hazmat) response capabilities, with a particular focus on volunteer responders and responders in remote or hard-to-reach communities where access to specialized training can be limited. A core emphasis of this program is preparing emergency personnel to respond safely and effectively to incidents involving the rail transportation of crude oil, ethanol, and other flammable liquids, using approaches aligned with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.
This opportunity is identified by Funding Opportunity Number 693JK326NF0010 and is offered as a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) under activity areas tied to employment, labor and training, and transportation. The program is associated with CFDA number 20.709. PHMSA plans to make awards on a competitive basis, meaning applicants will be evaluated against one another rather than receiving funding automatically based on eligibility alone. The program description indicates that awards are intended for organizations that can deliver an established curriculum to emergency responders, signaling that applicants should be prepared to show they already have a structured, ready-to-implement training program (or a well-developed, proven curriculum) rather than proposing something purely conceptual.
Eligibility is broad within the training and nonprofit/higher education space. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, and nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status (in both cases, other than institutions of higher education). Although multiple organization types are eligible, the stated intent of the ALERT program is to competitively award funds to nonprofit organizations capable of delivering the training curriculum, so nonprofits with demonstrated training delivery capacity for emergency response audiences are especially aligned with the stated purpose.
Funding levels suggest a moderate number of relatively substantial awards. The award ceiling is $1,000,000, and PHMSA expects to make approximately 8 awards. The opportunity was created on 2026-05-18, and the original closing date for applications is 2026-06-22. In practical terms, the timeline implies applicants should be ready to move quickly with a complete package that clearly explains who will be trained (for example, volunteer fire departments or remote emergency response teams), what curriculum will be delivered, how the training aligns with NFPA standards and rail flammable-liquid response needs, and how the program will be executed and managed.
Overall, the ALERT Grant is targeted at improving real-world preparedness for hazmat incidents involving flammable liquids moved by rail, with the goal of giving frontline responders in smaller, volunteer-based, or geographically isolated jurisdictions access to consistent, standards-based training. By funding organizations that can deliver established instruction, PHMSA is emphasizing practical, deployable training that can be rolled out to responders and used to enhance safety, coordination, and effectiveness during transportation-related hazmat emergencies.Apply for 693JK326NF0010
- The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Admin in the employment, labor and training, transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2026 Assistance for Local Emergency Response Training (ALERT) Grant" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.709.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-18.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-22. (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 $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, 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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FY 2026 ALERT Grant (PHMSA) FAQs
What is the FY 2026 Assistance for Local Emergency Response Training (ALERT) Grant?
The FY 2026 ALERT Grant is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). It is intended to strengthen hazardous materials (hazmat) response capabilities through training, with a strong focus on improving real-world preparedness for incidents involving flammable liquids transported by rail.
Which federal agency administers this grant?
PHMSA (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration) administers the FY 2026 ALERT Grant.
Is this a discretionary or formula grant?
This is a discretionary grant opportunity. Awards are planned to be made on a competitive basis, meaning applications are evaluated against one another rather than being funded automatically based solely on eligibility.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON) for this opportunity?
The Funding Opportunity Number is 693JK326NF0010.
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument type is a Grant.
What CFDA number is associated with this program?
The program is associated with CFDA number 20.709.
What is the main purpose of the ALERT Grant?
The primary purpose is to strengthen hazmat response capabilities by funding organizations that can deliver training to emergency responders. A central emphasis is preparing personnel to respond safely and effectively to incidents involving the rail transportation of crude oil, ethanol, and other flammable liquids, using approaches aligned with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards.
Who is the training intended to benefit?
The program particularly focuses on volunteer responders and responders in remote or hard-to-reach communities where access to specialized training can be limited. Examples described in the opportunity include volunteer fire departments and remote emergency response teams.
What types of incidents does the training focus on?
The training focus includes hazardous materials incidents involving flammable liquids moved by rail, including crude oil, ethanol, and other flammable liquids.
Does the program require alignment with NFPA standards?
The opportunity highlights that training approaches should be aligned with NFPA standards, especially for safe and effective response to rail flammable-liquid incidents.
Is the grant focused on creating new training curricula or delivering existing training?
The program description indicates awards are intended for organizations that can deliver an established curriculum to emergency responders. This signals applicants should be prepared to show they already have a structured, ready-to-implement training program (or a well-developed, proven curriculum) rather than proposing something purely conceptual.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include:
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- Nonprofit organizations without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
Are nonprofits specifically encouraged?
While eligibility includes higher education institutions and nonprofits, the stated intent of the ALERT program is to competitively award funds to nonprofit organizations capable of delivering the training curriculum. Nonprofits with demonstrated training delivery capacity for emergency response audiences are especially aligned with the stated purpose described.
How will awards be made?
PHMSA plans to make awards on a competitive basis. This means applications will be evaluated relative to other submissions.
What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $1,000,000.
How many awards does PHMSA expect to make?
PHMSA expects to make approximately 8 awards.
What activity areas are associated with this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is offered under activity areas tied to employment, labor and training, and transportation.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on 2026-05-18.
What is the application closing date?
The original closing date for applications is 2026-06-22.
What does the stated timeline suggest for applicants?
Given the creation date (2026-05-18) and the original closing date (2026-06-22), the timeline suggests applicants should be ready to move quickly with a complete application package that clearly explains who will be trained, what curriculum will be delivered, how it aligns with NFPA standards and rail flammable-liquid response needs, and how the program will be executed and managed.
What kinds of details should an application be prepared to explain, based on the program description?
Based on the description provided, applicants should be prepared to clearly explain:
- Who will be trained (for example, volunteer fire departments or remote emergency response teams)
- What established curriculum will be delivered (structured and ready to implement)
- How the training aligns with NFPA standards
- How the training prepares responders for rail transportation incidents involving crude oil, ethanol, and other flammable liquids
- How the program will be executed and managed
What is the overall goal of the ALERT Grant program?
The overall goal is to improve real-world preparedness for transportation-related hazmat incidents involving flammable liquids moved by rail, especially by expanding access to consistent, standards-based training for frontline responders in smaller, volunteer-based, or geographically isolated jurisdictions. The emphasis is on practical, deployable training that enhances safety, coordination, and response effectiveness.
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| Funding Opportunity |
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| FY 2026 Supplemental Public Sector Training Grant (SPST) Apply for 693JK326NF0011 Funding Number: 693JK326NF0011 Agency: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Admin Category: Employment, Labor and Training, Transportation Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| FY 2026 HMEP Planning and Training Grant for Tribes Apply for 693JK326NF0007 Funding Number: 693JK326NF0007 Agency: Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Admin Category: Employment, Labor and Training, Transportation Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Hazardous Materials Instructor Training (HMIT) Grant Apply for DOT PHM 26 A712 009 Funding Number: DOT PHM 26 A712 009 Agency: Pipeline Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Category: Employment, Labor and Training, Transportation Funding Amount: $1,000,000 |
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