Federal Grant Award Summary

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) awarded Zender Environmental Health & Research Group Co a project grant of $397,648 under the Interagency Hazardous Materials Public Sector Training and Planning Grants program (CFDA 20.703) to support hazardous materials instructor training initiatives. The award, effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2027, funds the organization's Hazardous Materials Instructor Training (HMIT) program, which aligns with PHMSA's mandate to enhance hazardous materials transportation safety and emergency preparedness capabilities. As authorized under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Safety and Security Reauthorization Act of 2005, the grant enables the nonprofit organization to train instructors who will subsequently deliver hazardous materials employee training to workers across the United States.

Zender Environmental, based in Anchorage, Alaska, will leverage this funding to advance workforce development in hazardous materials safety through instructor training and certification. The organization's selection under the competitive HMIT grant process reflects its demonstrated expertise in environmental and safety training, particularly serving rural Alaskan communities, as well as its ability to meet PHMSA's evaluation criteria including quantified training needs, instructor capacity, projected hazmat employee reach, and cost-effectiveness. The two-year performance period allows for comprehensive program implementation with documented technical and financial accountability requirements consistent with federal grant administration standards.