Funding for Counter-Trafficking Efforts
Overview
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) awarded over $12 million in grants to support state counter-trafficking efforts through driver’s license standards and programs, and $5.4 million in transit grants to address public safety, including human trafficking. The Department’s annual Combating Human Trafficking in Transportation Impact Award provides cash prizes to incentivize innovative solutions to combat human trafficking in the transportation industry, and to share those innovations with the broader community.
Combating Human Trafficking in Transportation Impact Award
USDOT's annual Combating Human Trafficking in Transportation Impact Award aims to incentivize individuals and entities to think creatively in developing innovative solutions to combat human trafficking in the transportation industry, and to share those innovations with the broader community. The award is a component of USDOT's Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking initiative.
The award is open to individuals and entities, including non-governmental organizations, transportation
industry associations, research institutions, and State, local, and tribal government organizations. Entrants
compete for a cash award that will be awarded to the individual(s) or entity selected for creating the most
impactful counter-trafficking initiative or technology. Entries are judged based on their technical merit,
originality, impact, practicality, measurability, and applicability. First-place winners receive up to a $100,000
cash prize, second-place winners receive up to a $50,000 cash prize, and third-place winners receive up to
a $25,000 cash prize. Plaques are also awarded to the top three winners.
Contact: For more information, visit www.transportation.gov/stop-human-trafficking/impact-award,
email trafficking@dot.gov, or contact the USDOT Counter-Trafficking Initiative at (202) 366-4398.
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) Grants
Commercial Driver License Program Implementation
FMCSA's Commercial Driver License Program Implementation Grant (CDLPI) provides financial assistance to States to achieve compliance with the requirements of 49 CFR Parts 383 and 384 (383.51 requires a lifetime ban for those who use a commercial motor vehicle in committing a felony involving a severe form of human trafficking). The grant also provides financial assistance for other entities capable of executing national projects that aid States in their compliance efforts and that will improve the national Commercial Driver’s License program.
High Priority - Commercial Motor Vehicle
FMCSA's High Priority Commercial Motor Vehicle Grant (HP-CMV) supports projects that improve safety, including counter-trafficking efforts, and compliance with commercial motor vehicle regulations. Any State agency (including the District of Columbia and U.S. territories), local government, institution or higher education, non-profit organization (with a 501(c)(3) status, and Federally recognized Native American tribal governments are eligible to apply.
Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program
FMCSA's Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) supports an increase in commercial motor vehicle-related enforcement and safety activities nationwide, including counter-trafficking efforts. State MCSAP lead agencies (as designated by the Governor), defined by 49 USC 31101) in each State and U.S. territory are eligible to apply.
Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Grants
FTA's Urbanized Area Formula Grants (49 U.S.C. 5307) make federal resources available to governors and other recipients for transit capital and operating assistance and transportation-related planning in urbanized areas.
Eligible activities include planning, engineering, designing, and evaluation of transit projects; crime
prevention and security equipment and construction of maintenance and passenger facilities, including
related to human trafficking prevention; and other capital investments.
FTA previously awarded $5.4 million in Human Trafficking Awareness & Public Safety Initiative Grant and Cooperative Agreements focused on counter-trafficking efforts through public safety, workforce development, and technical assistance for transit that concluded in FY 2026.