The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is now accepting nominations for 2026 Build a Better Mousetrap (BABM), a National Competition Highlighting Transportation Innovations.

The BABM recognizes state and local government and tribal agencies who use homegrown innovations to improve safety in their transportation programs. Many of these ideas come from the front-line workers who are looking for better ways to get the job done while saving money, time and improving efficiency. 



The top winning innovations included a modified speed cushion designed to deter speeding drivers, a trackless automated loaded, fifth wheel tractors to function as plow trucks during the winter and converting old street sweeper units into leaf vac units.



The FHWA's Center for Local Aid Support team is currently taking nominations through June 7th. Agencies must contact their state's Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Center or regional Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP) Center for more information and assistance on the application.

Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program; Tribal Transit Program

DEADLINE: August 25, 2026

DESCRIPTION:  Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced the opportunity to apply for $18,954,885 in competitive grants for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Public Transportation on Indian Reservations (Tribal Transit) Competitive Program, $9,358,487 in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 funds and $9,596,398 in FY 2026 funds. The goal of the program is to enable Tribes to buy transit vehicles, upgrade bus facilities, and expand or improve transit service.

 Bridge Investment Program (BIP)

DEADLINE: June 15, 2026 for Planning Grant Applications

June 29, 2026 for Bridge Project Grant Applications

DESCRIPTION:  This BIP NOFO offers two types of grants:

• “Planning” grants support planning, feasibility analyses, and revenue forecasting associated with the development of a future BIP eligible project.
• “Bridge Project” grants support bridge replacement, rehabilitation, preservation, and protection projects with total eligible costs of $100 million or less.

Unleashing Tribal Energy Development

DEADLINE: July 24, 2026

DESCRIPTION:  The DOE Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs is soliciting applications to advance affordable, reliable, and secure energy development of Tribal energy resources for the benefit of Tribes and their members.

QUESTIONS: TribalGrants@hq.doe.gov for questions regarding this NOFO.
ExchangeHelp@hq.doe.gov for questions related to the use of the IE Exchange website.

TTP Bridge Program

DEADLINE: Any time during the year, federally recognized Indian Tribes may submit an application for eligible TTP bridges for planning, design, engineering, preconstruction, construction, and inspection of new or replacement bridges; replace, rehabilitate, seismically retrofit, paint, apply calcium magnesium acetate, sodium acetate/formate, or other environmentally acceptable, minimally corrosive anti-icing and deicing composition; or implement any countermeasure for TTP bridges classified as in poor condition, having a low load capacity, or needing highway geometric improvements, including multiple-pipe culverts.

DESCRIPTION: The TTP Bridge Program is focused on improving the number of TTP bridges in poor condition.

QUESTIONS: Contact Chris W. Riley, PE., Acting TTP Bridge Program Manager at chris.w.riley@dot.gov

Tribal High Priority Projects (HPP) Program

DEADLINE: Any time during the year, a Tribe can submit an application package for Tribal HPP Program funding. On January 31, the applications received will be reviewed for eligibility, evaluated, and ranked for funding. Applications submitted after January 31 will be collected for the next fiscal year funding cycle.

DESCRIPTION: This program is a nationwide priority program for: (1) An Indian Tribe or governmental subdivision of an Indian Tribe whose annual allocation of funding under the Tribal Transportation Program is insufficient to complete the highest priority project of the Indian Tribe or governmental subdivision of an Indian Tribe; or (2) Any Indian Tribe that has an emergency or disaster with respect to a transportation facility.

June 14 - 17, 2026 I NCAI Mid Year Convention & Marketplace

Memphis, Tennessee I ncai.org

June 25, 2026 I ITA Meeting

Virtual | 3:00pm | intertribaltransportation.org

September 29, 2026 I OTTC & TAB Meetings

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma