University Transportation Centers Program

 

The program awards 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 addressing regional and national transportation issues.

Active 20.701 Office of The Secretary, Department of Transportation B - Project Grants Fiscal Year 2016 Accomplishments of the UTC Program are expected to continue advancing the capabilities of the nation’s universities to conduct needed transportation research on local, regional and national issues, and educate the future transportation workforce, while continuing to enhance the degree of collaboration between and among universities, develop partnerships with state and local government. Accomplishments of the UTC Program are expected to continue advancing the capabilities of the nation’s universities to conduct needed transportation research on local, regional and national issues, and educate the future transportation workforce, while continuing to enhance the degree of collaboration between and among universities, develop partnerships with state and local government.
Fiscal Year 2021 Accomplishments of the UTC Program continue to advance transportation expertise and technology through education, research, and technology transfer activities and develop collaboration between and among universities, industry and partnerships with state and local government.
Fiscal Year 2023 USDOT selected 34 UTCs to receive funding including four HBCUs (one of which is the first National Center) along with a record number of HBCUs, MSIs, and Tribal colleges participating as consortia partners this year. A Region 8 UTC was not selected during FY 2022 UTC Program competition. The solicitation was re-opened in May 2023. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) November 2021 (commonly known as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” or “BIL”), Title 49 U.S.C., Section § 5505(b)(4)(B), Public Law 117-58
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) November 2021, commonly known as the “Bipartisan Infrastructure Law,” or “BIL” authorization bill authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to make grants to eligible non-profit institutions of higher education to establish and operate University Transportation Centers (UTCs or Centers). Previous authorizations include the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act of 2015, which award funding to 35 university-based transportation centers funded. The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, established two Centers with one focusing on Congestion Relief and Improving the Durability and Extending the Life of Transportation Infrastructure.” The Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020, provided additional funding for four new Tier 1 UTCs each focusing on a specific research project topic based on FAST Act research priority areas. For the program's competitive grants, public and private nonprofit institutions of higher learning that have established transportation research programs including community colleges. Non-competitive grants must also be to public and private nonprofit institutions of higher learning but may or may not have established programs. 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. A formal written response to the application outlining in detail how the institution proposed research topic advances the goals identified in the Department's Strategic Plan, the program mission outlined in the soliciation; as well as the institution's proposed management of the center; detailed delineation of organization, staff, faculty, and budget. Preapplication coordination is required. Pre-application coordination is required. Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent and identify the research priority area and type of UTC for which they are applying for grant funding. 2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. The complete steps for applying for assistance are outlined in the UTC Grant Solicitation for the re-opened solicitation for a Region 8 UTC. Proposals are evaluated by a panel of SMEs from within the Department and industry on the basis of demonstrated ability toward the current goals of the Department. The selection is made by the Secretary. June 12, 2017 to August 18, 2017 Regions 1, 2 and 3 have a proposal submission deadline of August 18, 2017. Contact the headquarters or regional location, as appropriate for application deadlines Approximately 4 months. Not applicable. Incremental annual funding is subject to the availability of authorized funds, and satisfactory completion of prior-year work and timely submission of reporting requirements. 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.5505(b)(4)(B) as amended by Pub. L. 112-141, Sec. 52009 (effective Oct. 1, 2012)). 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. Performance Reports: The UTC Semi-Annual Progress Report provides updates on each Center’s current accomplishments and performance goals outlined in their Technology Transfer Plan. The annual Performance Indicators Report tracks established program-wide indicator metrics for the completed grant year and includes the metrics for each consortium member. Consistent with OMB Circular No. 2 CFR 200. Recipient records are 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. Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching is mandatory. Subject to the type of grant awarded. Regional and National grants = 100%; Tier 1 grants = 50%

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing. Five years with annual increments, as designated in the authorizing legislation, plus one addition unfunded year to complete projects prior to award termination date. t Method of awarding/releasing assistance: Letter. None/Not specified. Denise E. Dunn, Federal Grants Manager
Department of Transportation
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R)
Office of Innovation, Research, and Education (RDT-30)
1200 New Jersey Avenue, S.E.
Washington, DC 20590 US
Denise.E.Dunn@dot.gov
Phone: (202) 366-4985.
Fax: 202-493-2993 https://www.transportation.gov/utc/ 69-0548-0-1-401 (Project Grants) FY 22$90,000,000.00; FY 23 est $90,000,000.00; FY 24 est $90,000,000.00; FY 21$67,866,000.00; FY 20$83,864,000.00; FY 19$68,781,000.00; - The FY22 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, or BIL appropriated funding amounts for each type of Center based on the following authorized amount of funding before any of the reductions: National UTCs = 5 @ $4,000,000ea.; Regional UTCs=10 @ $3,000,000 ea.; and Tier 1= 20 @ $2,000,000 ea. Additional funding authorized under the Highway Infrastructure Program allowed each UTC to be fully funded for FY22. The FY21 extension of the FAST Act authorized one-year of additional funding at FY20 obligational levels include: National UTCs = 5 @ $2,855,800 ea.; Regional UTCs=10 @ $2,632,700 ea. ; Tier 1= 20 @ $1,427,900. The funding total obligated in FY20 include awards made to the FAST Act UTCs, as well as the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018, and the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020, both of which were fully funded in FY20. IIJA/ BIL legislation are based on the authorized amount of funding before any of the reductions. FY22 authorized amounts awarded to new UTC's in FY23 are as follows: o *National UTCs = 5 @ $4,000,000ea o **Regional UTCs= 10 @ $3,000,000 ea o Tier 1= 20 @ $2,000,000 ea. Average amount funded: $3,000,000 *National UTCs received split funding from BIL account ($313,145) and the Highway infrastructure program (HIP) ($3,686,855). **Region 8 UTC was not selected during FY 2022 UTC Program competition and was re-opened in May 2023. Posted on the University Transportation Centers Program website at http://utc.dot.gov. Fiscal Year 2016 Projects are anticipated to be based on the Department's six research priority areas. Projects are required to be based on the Department’s six research priority areas and include new and continued research in various disciplines that cover several modes of surface transportation.
Fiscal Year 2022 Projects are based on the Department’s research priority areas and include new and continued research in various disciplines covering several modes of travel using surface transportation.