University Transportation Centers Program
See Agency website.
The Department of Transportation's mission is to ensure fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation that meets vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people, today and into the future.
Program Accomplishments
The University Transportation Centers Program began in fiscal year 1988. Each center is extensively involved in research directly related to regional and national transportation issues. The centers also educate hundreds of students each year and built partnerships with state and local government as well as industry.
Uses and Use Restrictions
The University Transportation Centers will address surface transportation problems and issues and will seek solutions to both long-range and immediate transportation problems.
See below for information about grant matching requirements.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
For the program's competitive grants, public and private nonprofit institutions of higher learning that have established transportation research programs.
Non-competitive grants must also be to public and private nonprofit institutions of higher learning but may or may not have established programs.
Beneficiary Eligibility
For the program's competitive grants, public and private nonprofit institutions of higher learning that have established transportation research programs. Non-competitive grants must also be to public and private nonprofit institutions of higher learning but may or may not have established programs.
Credentials/Documentation
A formal application outlining in detail how the institution meets program mission and goals; proposed management of the center; detailed delineation of organization, staff, faculty, and budget.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
None.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
Two competitive selections for new grants will be held during 2006 for 1) one grant in each of ten standard Federal regions of the U.S. and 2) ten other grants with no locational restrictions. Applications will consist of standard Federal grant application and related forms and a proposal prepared to specifications that the agency will provide.
Award Procedures
Applications will be reviewed by a Departmental panel. Selection will be made by the RITA Administrator.
Deadlines
Competition is anticipated for spring/summer 2010, if the program is reauthorized in new legislation passed in 2009.
Authorization
49 U.S.C. 5338, 5505, and 5506.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Approximately six weeks.
Appeals
Not applicable.
Renewals
Competitive grants are for a four-year period; noncompetitive grants are for periods stated in the authorizing legislation. Grants are renewable each year upon satisfactory completion of prior-year work.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
The Federal share of a grant shall be 50 percent of the costs of establishing and operating the university transportation center.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Three, four, or five years as designated in the authorizing legislation.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Semi-annual and annual progress and financial reports; final technical report at the end of each research project.
Audits
Consistent with OMB Circular No. A-133.
Records
Recipient is required to retain intact, for 3 years following submission of the final expenditure report, pending resolution of audit findings, all grant products, financial records, and supporting documents.
Financial Information
Account Identification
69-1136-0-1-401; 69-8083-0-7-401.
Obigations
FY 07 $76,700,000; FY 08 $76,700,000; and FY 09 $76,700,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
Between $300,000 and $3,500,000 per center per fiscal year depending upon language in authorizing legislation.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Posted on the University Transportation Centers Program website at http://utc.dot.gov.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Research and Innovative Technology Administration; Office of Innovation, Research, and Education (RDT-30); Department of Transportation; 1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E., Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (800) 853-1351.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Resources available to conduct work of center; leadership in transportation; established transportation programs in prior years; ability to disseminate results (full text found in authorizing legislation at 49 U.S.C. 5506).
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