The Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP)
General Grant Program Information
The goal of MCSAP, as provided in statute, is to ensure that the Secretary of Transportation, States, and U.S. Territories work in partnership to established and maintain programs that improve motor carrier, commercial motor vehicle (CMV), and driver safety. MCSAP supports an efficient surface transportation system by:
- Making targeted investments to promote safe CMV transportation, including the transportation of passenger and hazardous materials;
- Investing in activities likely to generate maximum reductions in the number and severity of CMV crashes and in fatalities resulting from such crashes;
- Adopting and enforcing effective and compatible (as defined in 49 CFR 350.105) motor carrier, CMV, and driver safety laws, regulations, standards, and orders; and
- Assessing and improving Statewide performance of motor carrier, CMV, and driver safety by setting program goals and meeting performance standards, measures, and benchmarks (as defined in 49 CFR 350.201(b)).
Eligibility Information
All CVSP submissions will continue to be considered based on the MCSAP National Program Elements established in 49 CFR 350.203 and listed below.
- Driver inspections;
- Vehicle inspections;
- Traffic enforcement;
- Investigations;
- New entrant safety audits;
- CMV safety programs focusing on international commerce in border States;
- Full participation in Performance and Registration Information Systems Management (PRISM) or an acceptable alternative as determined by the Administrator;
- Accurate, complete, timely, and corrected data;
- Public education and awareness; and
- Other elements as prescribed by the Administrator.
Funding Information
The MCSAP funding for FY 2027 will be allocated per the funding formula as prescribed within the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act ("IIJA"), Pub. L. No. 117-58 (2021), § 23001(b) and outlined within 49 CFR 350.217. There will be no advanced appropriations (DIV-J) funding in FY 2027. FY 2027 is the first plan-year of a new surface transportation authorization period. If no new re-authorization is enacted for FY2027, MCSAP funding will be held to the enacted baseline FY 2026 levels. Therefore, for FY 2027 planning purposes, FMCSA assumes the full authorized amount under contract authority (after accounting for 1.5% administrative takedown), which equals an estimated $494,962,500 in the formula calculation.
Accordingly, estimated MCSAP funding levels for each State are provided in the CVSP Tool, for use when completing estimated budgets.
Please note that States are required to meet all eligibility and program requirements outlined in 49 U.S.C. §31102 and 49 CFR part 350 to receive MCSAP funds.
Contact Information
Administrative and Budgetary Requirements
Grants Management Office
Thomas Nelson
240-927-1443
FMCSA_GrantMgmtHelpDesk@dot.gov
Program Requirements or Technical Assistance
State Programs Division
Brian Preston
202-366-6274
StatePrograms@dot.gov
Disclaimer:
The Dashboard provides users with a high-level overview of relevant Federal discretionary grant programs. The information in the Dashboard is maintained as a secondary resource and may not be updated with the most recent changes to each program's primary guidance materials. Accordingly, please refer to the Federal grant-making agency for the most comprehensive and up-to-date information on a grant opportunity in the Dashboard.