GLEN BURNIE, MD (January 5, 2026) — The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration’s (MVA) Highway Safety Office is now accepting applications for traffic safety grants that support Maryland’s mission to eliminate roadway fatalities and serious injuries. Organizations may apply for funding between January 5 and February 28. The funding will cover programs conducted during Federal Fiscal Year 2027, which runs October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2027. 

“We continue to lose far too many Marylanders to preventable crashes,” said Motor Vehicle Administrator Chrissy Nizer, who also serves as Governor Wes Moore’s Highway Safety Representative. “Through these grant opportunities, we’re looking to empower new and existing partners whose innovative ideas can help advance our Serious About Safety initiative and move us closer to our shared goal of zero roadway fatalities. Every project funded represents another step toward saving lives.” 

The Moore-Miller Administration is committed to building a safer transportation system by utilizing federal grant funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). This grant funding will also enhance MDOT’s Serious About Safety initiative, which emphasizes data-driven strategies and collaboration across state, local and community partners. 

Two categories of grants are available: 

• Law enforcement overtime grants 

• General highway safety grants, open to state and local agencies, nonprofits and institutions of higher education. 

In accordance with IIJA requirements, priority consideration will be given to projects that address communities with the greatest demonstrated safety needs. Examples of previously funded activities include: 

• Delivering interactive safety presentations and simulators at high schools; 

• Supporting public health efforts such as child passenger safety seat distribution; 

• Developing or updating local Strategic Highway Safety Plans; 

• Creating community-focused traffic safety campaigns; 

• Producing educational materials for public outreach; and 

• Coordinating community safety events like bike rodeos and safety days. 

Eligible projects must support the principles of a Safe System Approach—and fall within the following areas: 

• Impaired driving, 

• Occupant protection (including child passenger safety), 

• Speed and aggressive driving, 

• Distracted driving, 

• Pedestrian and bicyclist safety, 

• Motorcyclist safety, 

• Young driver and mature driver safety, and 

• Improvement of traffic safety data 

In 2025, the Moore-Miller Administration awarded more than $12.9 million in highway safety grants. A list of past grant recipients can be viewed here. 

For more information or to apply for a highway safety grant, click here. Learn more about the Highway Safety Office at ZeroDeathsMD.gov or follow @ZeroDeathsMD on Facebook, X and Instagram.