Opportunity Information: Apply for FR OLS 26 001
The FY26 Railroad Rights-of-Way and Highway-Railroad Grade Crossing Safety Information and Education Program is a discretionary grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), aimed at supporting public safety outreach related to railroad rights-of-way and highway-rail grade crossings. The purpose of the funding is to provide program support for Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI) using funds that have been set aside within the FRA Office of Safety budget for fiscal year 2026. In practical terms, this opportunity is designed to fund safety information and education efforts that help reduce risky behavior and prevent incidents around train tracks and at rail crossings by improving public awareness and promoting safe decision-making.
This announcement is uniquely structured as a sole-eligible-applicant opportunity. Only Operation Lifesaver Inc is permitted to apply, meaning the competition is effectively closed to all other organizations, including state and local governments, nonprofits, transit agencies, educational institutions, and private entities. The eligible applicant category is listed as "Others," but the description makes it explicit that OLI is the only allowable applicant under this specific funding opportunity.
The grant is issued under Funding Opportunity Number FR OLS 26 001 and is categorized as a grant (Funding Instrument Type: Grant). The listed CFDA (Assistance Listing) number is 20.329, which corresponds to Federal Railroad Administration assistance programs. The activity category is identified as "Other," reflecting that the work is focused on safety education and outreach rather than infrastructure construction or equipment procurement.
The opportunity anticipates a single award, with Expected Awards listed as 1, and an award ceiling of $1,000,000. This ceiling represents the maximum amount available under the announcement for the supported program activities. Since only one award is expected and only one applicant is eligible, the program is essentially a dedicated funding channel for OLI to carry out grade crossing and right-of-way safety education initiatives aligned with FRA safety priorities for FY26.
Key timing details include a creation date of 2026-08-18 and an original closing date of 2026-08-31. Those dates indicate a short application window, which is typical for targeted, single-applicant funding announcements where the applicant is already known and the intent is to formalize and obligate funds within the federal fiscal year planning cycle.
Overall, this grant opportunity is a focused federal investment in rail safety public education, specifically supporting Operation Lifesaver Inc as the designated national partner for outreach and messaging intended to prevent trespassing on railroad property and reduce collisions and near-misses at highway-rail grade crossings.Apply for FR OLS 26 001
- The DOT - Federal Railroad Administration in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY26 Railroad Rights-of-Way and Highway-Railroad Grade Crossing Safety Information and Education Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.329.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2026-08-18.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-08-31. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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FAQs: FY26 Railroad Rights-of-Way and Highway-Railroad Grade Crossing Safety Information and Education Program
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled the FY26 Railroad Rights-of-Way and Highway-Railroad Grade Crossing Safety Information and Education Program.
Which federal agency administers this opportunity?
It is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
What is the purpose of the funding?
The purpose is to support public safety outreach related to railroad rights-of-way and highway-railroad grade crossings by providing program support for Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI) using funds set aside within the FRA Office of Safety budget for fiscal year 2026.
What types of activities does the grant support?
The announcement describes activities focused on safety information and education efforts intended to reduce risky behavior and prevent incidents around train tracks and at rail crossings, by improving public awareness and promoting safe decision-making.
Is this opportunity competitive?
No. It is structured as a sole-eligible-applicant opportunity. Only one organization is permitted to apply.
Who is eligible to apply?
Only Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI) is eligible to apply under this specific funding opportunity.
Are any other organizations eligible (state/local governments, nonprofits, transit agencies, schools, or private companies)?
No. The description states that the competition is effectively closed to all other organizations, including state and local governments, nonprofits, transit agencies, educational institutions, and private entities.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FR OLS 26 001.
What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument type is a Grant.
What is the CFDA/Assistance Listing number?
The listed CFDA (Assistance Listing) number is 20.329, corresponding to Federal Railroad Administration assistance programs.
What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is identified as "Other," reflecting that the work is focused on safety education and outreach rather than infrastructure construction or equipment procurement.
How many awards does the FRA expect to make?
The opportunity anticipates a single award (Expected Awards: 1).
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $1,000,000, which represents the maximum amount available under the announcement for supported program activities.
Does the announcement indicate this is dedicated funding for a specific organization?
Yes. Because only one award is expected and only one applicant (OLI) is eligible, the announcement functions as a dedicated funding channel for OLI to carry out grade crossing and right-of-way safety education initiatives aligned with FRA safety priorities for FY26.
When was the opportunity created?
The creation date listed is 2026-08-18.
What is the application closing date?
The original closing date listed is 2026-08-31.
How long is the application window?
Based on the listed creation date (2026-08-18) and closing date (2026-08-31), the application window is short, which is typical for targeted, single-applicant announcements where the applicant is already known and the intent is to formalize and obligate funds within the federal fiscal year planning cycle.
What safety issues is this funding meant to address?
The funding is intended to support outreach and messaging that helps prevent trespassing on railroad property and reduces collisions and near-misses at highway-rail grade crossings, by improving public awareness and encouraging safe decisions near tracks and crossings.
Which FRA office budget is referenced as the source of set-aside funds?
The announcement states the funds have been set aside within the FRA Office of Safety budget for fiscal year 2026.
What is Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI) in the context of this grant?
In this opportunity, OLI is described as the designated national partner for outreach and messaging related to railroad right-of-way and grade crossing safety, and the only allowable applicant for the funding.
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