The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced the availability of $11.68 million in intercity bus security grants.

DHS has begun accepting applications for this latest round of security grant funding for the motorcoach industry through the government’s grant solicitation Website, www.grants.gov.

The FY 2009 Intercity Bus Security Grant Program is designed to enhance the protection of high-risk and high-consequence motorcoach company assets by providing funding for targeted anti-terrorism training for key personnel, emergency preparedness exercises, the use of visible and unpredictable deterrence tools, and passenger security awareness campaigns.

Allowable expenses for these funding priorities include the conducting of training workshops, hiring training consultants to conduct security workshops, making vehicle and facility security enhancements, installing emergency communication technology, and conducting coordination activities with emergency responders.

The FY 2009 grants will be awarded through a competitive selection process, with grant applications due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Jan. 13, 2009. Awards will be made on or before Sept. 30, 2009.