Questions-and-Answers-Climate-Research-NOFO-10-6.pdf

NOTICE OF FUNDING OPPORTUNITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2023 RESEARCH

PARTNERSHIP ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND TRANSPORTATION

APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

During the open competition period, this document will be updated on an ongoing basis with new questions and answers as they arise.

Last updated: 10/6/2023

Question: Are non-U.S. based universities eligible to apply? (10/2/2023)

Answer: Only U.S.-based parties are eligible to apply. This competition is open to all eligible parties and their partnering organizations. Eligible parties include, but are not limited to, institutions of higher education, public research entities (e.g., University Affiliated Research Initiatives (UARCs), Federally Funded Research and Development Initiatives (FFRDCs), national laboratories, and similar entities), and private and 501(c)3 nonprofit research entities.

Are National Labs eligible to apply? (10/2/2023)

Answer: Yes, National Laboratories are eligible to apply.

Question: How do I register for the informational webinar on this funding opportunity? (10/2/2023)

Answer: A webinar to provide information and answer questions on this funding opportunity will be held Friday, October 27, 2023, at 2:30 PM Eastern Time. To join the Webinar, rsvp at https://usdot.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_8xEHjvy5RqabkEo5PlMQ5w.

Access to the audio portion of the Webinar can be accessed upon registration. The Webinar will be recorded and posted on U.S. DOT's Website at https://www.transportation.gov/priorities/climate-and-sustainability/dot-climate-change-center. A Telephone Device for the Deaf (TDD) is available for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing at TBD.

Question: The first-year commitment is $2.5 M from Federal funds. The 2nd and the 3rd years will have $2.5M each year, or just $2.5 million for two years?

(10/2/2023)

Answer: Subject to availability of funds, years 2 and 3 would receive an additional $2.5 million in Federal funds each year.

Question: How should applicants demonstrate cost share commitments in the proposal? (10/6/2023) https://usdot.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_8xEHjvy5RqabkEo5PlMQ5w https://www.transportation.gov/priorities/climate-and-sustainability/dot-climate-change-center https://www.transportation.gov/priorities/climate-and-sustainability/dot-climate-change-center

Answer: Proposers are expected to illustrate all cost estimates, including cast match amounts by Tasks in the Proposal and Budget summary documents; these may be refined at the time of development and establishment of the agreement document(s) stage.

Question: Are applicants required to provide the source of cost share?

(10/6/2023)

Answer: No, but if necessary, during the execution of the project, USDOT has the right to request such information.

Question: If Year 2 and Year 3 Extensions are awarded, will the same level of cost share be provided for each extension, or is cost share limited to Year 1?

(10/6/2023)

Answer: Cost-share requirements are valid for the life of the award.

Question: Are private industry and for-profit entities eligible as subrecipients or partner organizations? (10/6/2023)

Answer: Applicant(s) may ‘partner’ with industry in a minor role to support the research needs that the core team may need or lack.

Question: Do separate organizational units affiliated with my university count as a partner organization? (10/6/2023)

Answer: Applicants can include any part of their institution with needed expertise as a member of the team. For the purpose of a partner organization, applicants should include an organization that is separate from their institution.

Question: Can you clarify the performance period and tasks? (10/6/2023)

Answer: Task 2 of the Workplan includes 1 year of identifying research gaps and creating a research agenda, followed by a 3-year research agenda. However, the full performance period is 3 years. We interpret this to mean that The first 4 months of the first year of the grant would be dedicated to Task 2 of defining the research agenda and having it approved by USDOT. In the remaining 8 months of Year 1, awardees would begin Task 3, with the goal of having initiated at least 2 research projects by the end of the year, for a total period of performance of 3 years.