Administration of the program will occur in the keck center of the national academies of sciences, engineering, and medicine

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) awarded the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) a $500,000 Project Grant under the Railroad Research and Development program (CFDA 20.313) effective September 1, 2025, with a completion date of January 31, 2029. Administration of the program will be conducted at the NAS Keck Center in Washington, DC, with individual research projects potentially undertaken at research facilities throughout the United States. Based on the Railroad Research and Development program's mission, this funding supports innovative research and development initiatives designed to enhance rail safety through cooperative research relationships, with potential focus areas including safety culture assessments, technical advisory services, data analytics platforms for railroad safety information sharing, and other safety-focused projects that yield solutions toward state of good repair, economic competitiveness, environmental sustainability, and workforce development.

As a congressionally chartered nonprofit organization serving as the premier scientific advisory body to the federal government, NAS will deliver independent scientific and technical expertise to support the FRA's research objectives. The awardee is required to submit quarterly progress reports documenting significant findings and any technical or cost problems, as well as a final report detailing results and benefits upon project completion. The grant agreement is non-renewable, and formal documentation signed by both NAS and the FRA, including an approved scope, schedule, and budget, is required before project activities commence.

The physical address is 500 fifth ST NW, washington DC. Individual research projects may be undertaken at research facilities throughout the united states and sometimes in conjunction with a railroad.