DOT offers $100K prizes to fight human trafficking on the move
Published Date: 4/22/2026
Notice
Summary
The Department of Transportation is calling on transportation pros, organizations, and local governments to submit their best ideas to fight human trafficking. Winners can snag cash prizes up to $100,000 by creating smart, new tools or campaigns that make a real difference. Submit your entry by June 22, 2026, and help stop human trafficking while earning some serious recognition and rewards!
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Analyzed Economic Effects
9 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 6 costs, 1 mixed.
Cash prizes: up to $100,000
The competition offers up to three cash prizes: up to $100,000 for first place, up to $50,000 for second place, and up to $25,000 for third place. Winners receive the stated cash award amounts and a plaque; DOT may also cover invitational travel for up to two representatives.
Entrants must indemnify the U.S. Government
By entering, entrants must indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the Federal Government against third-party claims and are financially responsible for any damages, liabilities, costs, or expenses arising from their submission.
No federal funds for submissions
Federal grant recipients and federal contractors may not use Federal funds to develop submissions or to fund efforts in support of a submission. Entrants must fund submissions from non-Federal sources.
Winners grant DOT publicity license
Entrants grant DOT (and partner Federal agencies) the right to use names, likenesses, proposal materials, photos, voices, opinions, and hometowns for promotional purposes worldwide, in perpetuity, without additional payment. If selected for an award, entrants grant DOT a royalty-free, non-exclusive, irrevocable, worldwide license to publicize the entrant's name and entry.
Eligibility: U.S. incorporation or citizenship
To enter, private entities must be incorporated in and maintain a primary place of business in the United States, and individuals must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Federal entities, federal employees (and their family members), and U.S. DOT employees are not eligible.
AI use must be disclosed in proposals
If you use Artificial Intelligence tools in preparing a submission, you must disclose which AI tool(s) were used, the approximate percentage of the proposal generated or assisted by AI, and the purpose of the AI use. Entrants remain responsible for accuracy and may be rejected for unethical or illegal AI use.
Submission window and method
Submissions must be sent through the specified Microsoft Forms link between April 22, 2026 and 11:59pm EST on June 22, 2026; timeliness is determined by the Microsoft Form time stamp. Expression of interest is encouraged by May 22, 2026 but not required.
DOT may cover limited travel expenses
At DOT's discretion, the Department may pay invitational travel expenses to Washington, DC for up to two individuals or representatives of the first-place winner and the runners-up if they are invited to present.
Originality, ownership, and documentary requirements
Entries must be original and remain the entrant's property; entrants must warrant originality and that the entry does not infringe third-party rights or contain harmful code. DOT may request supporting documentation and disqualify entrants who fail to respond.
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