Older Driver Resources on Caregivers and Dementia | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Older Driver Resources on Caregivers and Dementia opportunity?

It is a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) cooperative agreement focused on improving road safety by helping caregivers navigate decisions about when and how a person with dementia should stop driving. The opportunity is identified as Funding Opportunity Number DTNH22-10-R-00322.

Who is offering this funding?

The funding is offered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

What is the main goal of the project?

The project aims to develop and widely promote practical tools that guide caregivers on what to do when dementia begins to affect driving, with the overall goals of reducing unsafe driving risk and helping caregivers feel confident that intervening was necessary and appropriate.

Why is NHTSA focusing on caregivers rather than directly on people with dementia?

The opportunity explains that people with dementia can be difficult to reach directly due to cognitive impairment. Caregivers (often spouses or adult children) are viewed as the most influential and reachable audience for education and intervention related to driving safety.

What problem is this opportunity trying to address?

It targets the safety challenge that dementia can disrupt the insight and judgment needed for older adults to self-restrict driving in safer ways. Because dementia is progressive, driving retirement is typically a matter of when rather than if, and caregivers often face a difficult, emotionally charged decision about driving cessation.

Does a dementia diagnosis automatically mean someone must stop driving immediately?

No. The notice states that research suggests a dementia diagnosis by itself does not always justify immediate driving cessation. However, it emphasizes that dementia is progressive and that driving retirement is usually expected at some point.

What key messages does NHTSA want the educational materials to communicate?

NHTSA wants the materials to reinforce that the problem will not go away, that caregivers need usable tools, and that there are clear actions caregivers can take.

What kinds of tools or resources is NHTSA looking to have developed?

The opportunity calls for practical tools that help caregivers educate themselves, plan ahead, and take steps to protect both the driver and the public as dementia-related changes begin to affect driving.

What are the main required activities for the selected organization?

NHTSA describes four core program activities: (1) raise caregiver awareness that dementia-related cognitive changes can create serious driving safety risks; (2) provide concrete tools caregivers can use to educate themselves, plan, and take protective steps; (3) help shift culture and expectations so caregiver intervention is viewed as a positive and responsible norm; and (4) evaluate how the materials are used and how effectively they are disseminated, including whether they influence caregiver behavior in real-world situations.

What does NHTSA mean by "shifting culture and expectations"?

Based on the notice, it means encouraging the idea that caregiver intervention around driving is a positive, responsible social norm rather than something to avoid or delay.

How does NHTSA want the project to evaluate impact?

The evaluation emphasis is on how the materials are used, how effectively they are disseminated, and whether they influence caregiver behavior in real-world situations. Examples listed include caregivers seeking professional input, engaging physicians, working with driver licensing agencies, or taking steps to prevent an unsafe driver from continuing to operate a vehicle.

Who is the intended audience for the materials?

The materials are intended primarily for caregivers supporting individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, because caregivers are positioned to take action when driving becomes unsafe.

What type of organization is NHTSA looking to fund?

NHTSA is seeking a credible, national organization that already works with caregivers and has real expertise in dementia. The organization is expected to have national reach and communication channels capable of getting actionable guidance to families who need it.

Does the applicant need to be independent of for-profit entities?

Yes. The opportunity states that the project should be carried out by a broad, national-scope organization that is independent of any for-profit entity.

What types of applicants are eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations (including 501(c)(3) nonprofits and certain nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, excluding institutions of higher education in those nonprofit categories) as well as public and private institutions of higher education, provided the applicant meets the national reach and independence expectations described in the notice.

Is this a single award or multiple awards?

NHTSA planned to make a single award.

What is the funding mechanism for this opportunity?

The award is planned as a cooperative agreement. This typically indicates NHTSA would likely be involved in substantive ways during the project rather than only issuing funding and stepping back.

How much funding is available?

The estimated total funding is about $250,024. The award ceiling is $250,024 and the award floor is $140,000.

Is there a cost-sharing or match requirement?

No. The opportunity states there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement.

What is the project period?

The anticipated performance period is 22 months, with one 12-month option period, for a total potential period of up to 34 months.

What CFDA number is associated with this funding?

The funding is under CFDA 20.614 (NHTSA Discretionary Safety Grants).

Where were the solicitation materials supposed to be accessed?

The announcement indicates the solicitation materials were to be accessed via Grants.gov, with an RFA referenced in the notice.

What should applicants do if they have trouble accessing the solicitation materials?

The notice mentions that a DOT contracting specialist contact was provided for access issues related to obtaining the solicitation materials.

How does this opportunity connect to NHTSA's broader safety mission?

NHTSA links the project to the safety reality that older drivers (65+) account for a significant share of fatal-crash involvement, and that this share is expected to increase as the population ages. The project is meant to reduce unsafe driving risk by supporting caregiver action when dementia affects driving.

Why does the opportunity emphasize national scope and established communication channels?

The rationale described is that organizations with existing caregiver support mechanisms and proven national communication channels are more likely to place actionable guidance into the hands of families who need it, rather than producing materials that are not widely used.