FMCSA Offers $7 Million for Truck Crash Data
Federal regulators are seeking applicants to collect data on fatal crashes involving heavy-duty trucks through a cooperative funding program.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Trucks
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The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is offering up to $7 million in competitive funding to support crash data collection for its Crash Causal Factors Program Heavy-Duty Truck Study. Applications are due December 28.
Why it matters
The funding is intended to build a clearer understanding of fatal crashes involving Class 7 and 8 trucks across the country. Findings and anonymized data from the program are expected to support peer-reviewed research and a national crash data repository.
The program caps individual awards at $500,000 and totals up to $7 million, covering fatal crashes involving Class 7 and 8 trucks. The number of awards to be granted has not been specified.
The players
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA is the federal agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation responsible for regulating motor carrier safety and reducing commercial vehicle crashes.
The details
The funding is awarded through a cooperative agreement program and covers post-crash commercial motor vehicle inspections, crash reconstructions, post-crash investigations, crash data reporting, and data collection equipment. Eligible applicants include states selected for the study, designated alternate states, and local law enforcement agencies meeting participation requirements.
Timeline
November 12: FMCSA hosts virtual office hours from 11 a.m. to noon EST for applicant questions; registration is required.
December 28: Applications for the funding opportunity are due.
Roadmap
The Crash Causal Factors Program Heavy-Duty Truck Study builds on FMCSA's existing crash investigation work by targeting Class 7 and 8 trucks specifically. The data is intended to feed peer-reviewed studies and a national crash data repository for ongoing analysis.
Eligible state agencies and local law enforcement groups that participate in the study could receive funding to investigate fatal truck crashes. Prospective applicants should register for the November 12 office hours and review the prerecorded educational webinar before the December 28 deadline.
The takeaway
Federal efforts to document heavy-truck crashes in detail could shape future safety rules for the trucking industry. Stakeholders interested in participation should track the December 28 application deadline.
What happens next
Applications for the funding opportunity are due December 28, and virtual office hours for applicant questions take place November 12.
Further reading
Explore more reporting on Trucks coverage for related developments in heavy-duty vehicle safety.
Source note: This article includes information reported by FleetOwner.
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