FEDERAL
AGENCY:
RESEARCH
AND SPECIAL PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
AUTHORIZATION:
49
U.S.C. 5505.
To
provide grants to nonprofit institutions of higher learning for
the purpose of establishing and operating university transportation
centers that conduct research, education and technology transfer
programs concerning regional and national transportation issues.
TYPES
OF ASSISTANCE:
Project Grants.
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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. The Department's role will be
to furnish a mission and goals to the centers, manage the program
and assure that no unnecessary duplication of effort exists.
ELIGIBILITY
REQUIREMENTS:
Applicant
Eligibility: For the programs's competitive
grants, public and private nonprofit institutions of higher learning
that offer baccalaureate or higher degrees related to transportation,
have established transportation research programs, and are accredited
by one of the six regional accrediting associations in the United
States. The grant recipients must have established surface transportation
programs encompassing several modes of transportation with regularly
budgeted institutional funds of at least $200,000 per year. Participation
in the program by minority colleges and universities is encouraged.
For non- competitive grants, limited to those public and private
nonprofit institutions of higher learning designated in 49 U.S.C.
5505(j).
Beneficiary
Eligibility: Public and private nonprofit
institutions of higher learning.
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.
Costs are determined in accordance with OMB Circular No. A-21.
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No.
A-87.
APPLICATION
AND AWARD PROCESS:
Pre-application
Coordination: None. This program is excluded
from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application
Procedure: No new grants will be awarded during
the program's remaining authorization (through 2003).
Award
Procedure: If the program is reauthorized
in 2003, applications will be reviewed by a Departmental panel.
Ten competitive grants will be awarded, one in each of the ten
Standard Federal Regions. Twenty-three non-competitive grants
will be awarded to the institutions named in 49 U.S.C. 5505(j).
Deadlines:
See Application Procedures.
Range
of Approval/Disapproval Time: See Award Procedure.
Appeals:
Not applicable.
Renewals:
Not applicable.
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: 4 or 6 years,
as designated in 49 U.S.C. 5505(i).
POST
ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Reports:
Semiannual progress reports, annual center reports, and a final
technical report at the end of each research project.
Audits:
In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised,
June 24, 1997), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Nonprofit
Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance
of $300,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a
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, except as noted
in 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.
Obligations:
(Grants) FY 01 $29,627,850; FY 02 est $29,286,600; and FY 03 est
$28,500,000.
Range
and Average of Financial Assistance:
Between $300,000 and $2,000,000 per center per fiscal
year.
PROGRAM
ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
The University Transportation Centers Program started in fiscal
year 1988. Each Center is extensively involved in research directly
related to local and regional transportation issues. The Centers
also educate hundreds of students each year and build partnerships
with State and local government as well as industry.
REGULATIONS,
GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
Regulations and delegations of authority are or will be published
in the Federal Register, and on Program website at "http://utc.dot.gov/".
INFORMATION
CONTACTS:
Regional
or Local Office: None.
Headquarters
Office: Research and Special Programs Administration,
Office of University Research and Education (DIR-1), Department
of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Room 8417, Washington,
DC 20590. Telephone: (202) 366-4434.
Web
Site Address: http://www.utc.dot.gov
EXAMPLES
OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
See University Transportation Centers Program Projects and Publications,
1987-1996 (available at Headquarters Office); UTC Program website
at http://utc.dot.gov/".
CRITERIA
FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
Not applicable.
