FEDERAL AGENCY:

FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

AUTHORIZATION:

49 U.S.C. 5312(b).

To sponsor research studies and training in the problems of transportation in urban areas and to encourage students to seek careers in transit and to increase cooperative interchanges between transit operators and the academic community.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:

Project Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition

USES AND USE RESTRICTIONS:

To conduct competent and qualified research and investigations into the theoretical and practical problems of urban transportation, and to provide for the training of persons to carry on further research or to obtain employment in private or public organizations which plan, construct, operate, or manage urban transportation systems. This program is included under the National Planning and Research Program. It has not received funding since Fiscal Year 1993. Funding is based on availability of funding under the National Planning and Research Program.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:   Accredited public and private nonprofit institutions of higher learning, offering 2-year or higher degrees. Participation in the program by historically black colleges and universities is strongly encouraged.

Beneficiary Eligibility:   Accredited public and private nonprofit institutions of higher learning offering 2-year or higher degrees.

Credentials/Documentation:   A formal application outlining in detail the proposed research or training project; detailed delineation of organization, staff, faculty, and budget. Costs and administrative requirements are determined in accordance with 49 CFR Part 19, OMB Circular No. A-21, and FTA Circulars 4900.1C and 4900.2C.

Pre-application Coordination:   This is not a funded program for which unsolicited applications are accepted. If and when the FTA exercises its authority to fund a specific University Research and Training grant, rarely utilized in the recent past, it will invite proposed recipients to submit an application. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs."

Application Procedure:   Potential applicants should follow guidance found in FTA Circular 6100.1C, "Transit Research and Technology Programs: Application and Program Management Guidelines." The Circular may be obtained from the Office of Research Demonstration and Innovation, Federal Transit Administration (TRI-1), Room 9401, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590. This program is subject to the provisions of 49 CFR Part 19.

Award Procedure:   The Federal Transit Administration makes the final decision to approve a grant. An FTA grant award obligating Federal funds is reflected in a grant agreement. To access funds, the recipient must execute the grant agreement.

Deadlines:   Submittal date as prescribed by the FTA.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:   Approximately 6 months.

Appeals:   Not applicable.

Renewals:   Not applicable.

ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:   Grantee institutions must cost share a minimum of 10 percent of the amount awarded by FTA. Cost-share must be in the form of cash or in-kind contributions.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:   Generally 1 year.

POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:   Quarterly Progress; financial; final, upon completion of the project.

Audits:   In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133, "Audits of State and Local Governments and Nonprofit Organizations," nonfederal entities (including universities) that expend $300,000 or more in a year in Federal awards shall have a single or program specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $300,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year with certain exceptions as stated in 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:   69-1137-0-1-401.

Obligations:   (Grants) Section 5312(b) activities are now funded under Section 5314(a).

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:   Up to $80,000.

This program has not been funded since fiscal year 1993.

REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:

The Annual List of Certifications and Assurances for Federal Transit Administration Grants and Cooperative Agreements, and Notices is published annually. For fiscal year 200l, the publication date was January 18, 2001. For other fiscal years, contact the FTA Office of Research Demonstration and Innovation to obtain the publication dates. The FTA website is: www.fta.dot.gov/library/legal.

INFORMATION CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:   Not applicable.

Headquarters Office:   Office of Research, Demonstration and Innovation, Office of Research Management (TRI-30), Federal Transit Administration, Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 4401, Washington, DC 20590. Telephone: (202) 366-0242, Elizabeth Solomon, Office of Research, Demonstration and Innovation.

Web Site Address:   http://www.fta.dot.gov/research/profcap/profcap.htm

EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:

This program has not been funded since fiscal year 1993.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:

(1) Relevance of the proposed research or training to the solution of important transportation problems and to the mission and programmatic needs of FTA and DOT; (2) technical merit of the proposed research or training; (3) track record and professional qualifications of the Principal Investigator(s) and the supporting staff; (4) applicability of the research results to theory or practice; (5) opportunities for participation of minorities and women; (6) research needs of the transit industry; and (7) geographical distribution of awards.