FY25 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (Rail Safety IDEA)
Closed Posted
- Opportunity number
- FR-RRD-25-002
- Agency
-
Federal Railroad Administration
Department of Transportation
- Applications due
- Award size
- Up to $500,000
Opportunity facts
- Assistance listings
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
-
- Transportation
- Eligible applicants
-
- Other
- Points of contact
- Full announcement
Opportunity details come from Grants.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is seeking innovative research proposals through the FY25 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (Rail Safety IDEA) program to advance railroad safety and performance. This grant opportunity invites researchers, inventors, universities, and companies to submit concepts that explore promising but unproven methods for improving railroad systems. The primary objectives include developing innovative solutions that enhance safety culture, infrastructure, technology, and operational efficiency in the railroad sector. Evaluation criteria will prioritize proposals based on: (1) potential to improve railroad safety, (2) scientific and technical merit, (3) likelihood of near-term adoption, (4) alignment with FRA research objectives, and (5) cost reasonableness. The grant opportunity was posted on August 5, 2025, with a proposal submission deadline of August 22, 2025.
While specific award amounts are not explicitly stated, the Railroad Research and Development program historically awards grants ranging from $100,000 to over $11 million, with project durations typically spanning 1-3 years. Eligible applicants must submit comprehensive documentation including SF424 forms, project narratives, statements of work, and budgets. Recipients will be required to comply with federal regulations, retain project documentation for three years post-award, and adhere to various administrative and national policy requirements. The projects will be conducted within the United States, with research potentially spanning university laboratories, research institutions, and collaborative industry settings.
Synopsis
Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) programs explore promising but unproven concepts with the potential to advance specific surface transportation systems. The Rail Safety IDEA program investigates innovative concepts and methods to improve safety and performance of railroads. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) endeavors to provide funding for the Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to continue to carry out the Rail Safety IDEA program. FRA funding for the Safety IDEA program has been provided since October 2002. FRA joined the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), as a joint sponsor of the Safety IDEA program. FMCSA has been funding the Safety IDEA program since the program started in October 2001. In 2013, the Rail Safety IDEA program has become completely independent and separate from the FMCSA; therefore, all projects funded by this Grant must be railroad related projects. The Rail Safety IDEA programs explore innovative concepts that are initiated and proposed by researchers, inventors, universities, or companies, both within and outside the usual transportation research community.
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