The Indian Highway Safety Occupant Protection Grant, offered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Office of Justice Services (OJS) Indian Highway Safety Program (IHSP), aims to support federally recognized tribes in enhancing traffic safety within their communities. Authorized under the Highway Safety Act of 1966, U.S.C. Title 23, Section 402, the grant provides funding to address high rates of traffic crashes, fatalities, injuries, and property damage in tribal areas. The funding is specifically designated for occupant protection initiatives, which include enhancing law enforcement traffic safety operations and child safety seat programs. These grants are reimbursable and performance-based, requiring tribes to demonstrate measurable outcomes.

The primary objective of the grant is to reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities by supporting tribal programs that enforce occupant protection laws, promote the use of seat belts, and distribute child safety seats. The grant prioritizes initiatives that demonstrate a clear problem identification process, develop data-driven strategies, and include robust enforcement and education components.

Eligible applicants for this grant are federally recognized Native American tribal governments. Applications must demonstrate financial need in the area of occupant protection and a commitment to implementing effective traffic safety measures. The funding does not require cost-sharing or matching contributions from applicants.

Applications must include key information such as traffic safety statistics, problem identification, and clearly defined strategies for addressing occupant protection concerns. Detailed federal regulations and application requirements will be covered in the Indian Highway Safety Tribal Grants session, scheduled for March 8, 2025, at the Long Beach Convention Center in California. Attendance at this session requires prior registration for the Lifesavers Conference, and travel expenses and registration fees for tribal employees may be covered under the Indian Highway Safety Lifesavers Conference Grant (BIA-IHSP-2025-001).

Applications for this grant must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov no later than May 1, 2025. Completed applications and any related inquiries should be directed to the designated program contact at ojs_indian_highway_safety@bia.gov. Grant awards are expected to support tribes in achieving measurable improvements in occupant protection compliance and overall traffic safety.