The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the 2025 fiscal year Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) funding has been posted. Published by USDOT, the NOFO outlines necessary information and instructions regarding the application process, including definitions, eligibility requirements, program descriptions, federal award notices, and post-award requirements. Interested organizations can access the document on the USDOT website.
Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grants were introduced by Congress in 2021 as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which is commonly referred to as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The purpose of SS4A grants is to support projects that aim to improve roadway safety by significantly reducing or eliminating roadway fatalities and serious injuries through the development of Action Plans focused on all roadway users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, public transportation users, motorists, and commercial vehicle operators.
What’s New
There are a few noticeable differences between the FY2025 NOFO and the FY2024 NOFO from the previous year:
- References to rescinded Executive Orders and priorities from the previous administration have been removed.
- The term “underserved community” will use the same definition as Areas of Persistent Poverty.
- The maximum expected award for Planning and Demonstration Grants has changed from $10,000,000, as in 2024, to $5,000,000.
- Applicants for FY2025 grants may use no more than three plans to meet the Action Plan requirement, as outlined in Section C.4.i of the NOFO. This section also gives details on eligible and ineligible action plans for Implementation Grant applicants.
- Applicants for Planning and Demonstration Grants who are requesting funds only for supplemental planning and demonstration activities should review section C.3.iii for new requirements. These requirements aim to reduce duplicative work and ensure these activities properly inform an existing Action Plan at the local, county, or regional level.
- Selection criteria for both grant types have changed since last year. For example, USDOT may prioritize SS4A Planning and Demonstration Grant applications with a fatality rate at or above 17.5 fatalities per 100,000 persons.
Highlights and Key Dates
Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs), school districts, local municipal and county government agencies, tribal governments, and public- or state-controlled institutions of higher education are eligible for these grants and can apply to be considered for varying types of awards ranging in value from $100,000 to $25,000,000.
The solicitation for SS4A grant applications opened on March 28, 2025, and will close on June 26, 2025, at 5:00 PM (EDT).
Technical questions must be submitted by May 29, 2025, at 5:00 PM (EDT). Pre-application eligibility review requests must be in by 5:00 PM (EDT) on May 9, 2025.
Types of Grants Offered
Grants for implementation projects as well as for planning and demonstration projects are offered this year, and application proposals can be submitted for either type of award. Applications must outline an Action Plan that focuses on enhancing safety to prevent fatalities and serious injuries, investing funds in high-impact, low-cost strategies, including evidence-based projects, and using innovative technologies.
Those receiving Implementation Grants must carry out planning, design, and development activities for projects and strategies outlined in the Action Plan submitted with their application as well as implement the projects outlined in their plan that address roadway safety problems. Those awarded Demonstration Grants must develop a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan identifying strategies to prevent roadway fatalities and injuries and implement demonstration activities to inform the development of the plan.
Agencies and organizations can submit applications to the USDOT through the Valid Eval online submission system. The Implementation Grant Application can be found here, and the Demonstration Grant Application can be accessed here.
Webinars
The USDOT is hosting informational webinars about this year’s SS4A grant opportunity. More information about registration and recordings for these webinars is available here. The webinars will focus on the following topics:
- SS4A Implementation Grants: Tuesday, April 15, 2:00pm–3:30pm
- SS4A Action Plas: Thursday, April 17, 12:30pm–2:00pm
- SS4A Supplemental Planning and Demonstration Activities: Wednesday, April 23, 1:30pm–3:00pm
By Julia Kohn