Transportation Research and Technology Advancement
Active
- Assistance listing
- 20.909
- Agency
-
Immediate Office of the Secretary of Transportation
Department of Transportation
- Grant awards
- 1 $249,500 in federal obligations
Program facts
- Assistance type
-
- Cooperative Agreement
- Treasury account
-
- 69-1730-0-1-407
Program details come from SAM.gov Assistance Listings. Updated . Grant award figures come from USAspending.gov.
About this program
The Department of Transportation's Office of the Secretary is funding research and development on innovative transportation systems through Assistance Listing 20.909, with a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Tribal Transportation Safety Strategy Pilot Program due August 28, 2026.
Program activity is minimal in the recent record. The portfolio shows one grant award disbursed in June 2024 for $250 thousand, the most recent award on file. No grant opportunities appear to have been posted between the June 2024 award and June 2026, when two solicitations opened simultaneously. This extended quiet period suggests the program operates on an irregular funding cycle rather than annual or rolling solicitation.
The program funds university-led and consortium-based research addressing transportation challenges through applied technology and strategic planning. Recent awards and current opportunities reflect this scope: the June 2024 Cooperative Agreement to USASEAN supported work on an unspecified transportation innovation project through April 2026. The two open solicitations target specialized research: the Tribal Transportation Safety Strategy Pilot Program ($2 million, three-year cooperative agreement) will develop a next-generation strategic safety plan for American Indian and Alaska Native communities, including artificial intelligence–based risk analysis and a pilot infrastructure demonstration project; the Interdisciplinary Transportation Law and Policy Technology Training Development program ($600 thousand, 24-month cooperative agreement) will develop congressional and law-school training curricula on artificial intelligence, automated vehicles, and related digital infrastructure.
All observed awards are Cooperative Agreements. The single funding source across the portfolio is the Department of Transportation's Office of the Secretary. Combined federal dollars obligated to date total $250 thousand, though the two open opportunities represent an additional $2.6 million in potential awards if both are funded. Eligible applicants include University Transportation Centers, non-profit consortiums, state and local institutions, tribal governments, and private non-profit organizations. Applications for both current opportunities are due August 28, 2026.
Objective and description
- Objective
The USDOT seeks competitively selected cooperative agreements or grant recipients from research institutions or other consortiums as defined by the NOFO to conduct research and development on innovative transportation systems and related applied tech
- Description
Funding provided to special projects and programs for research, development and deployment of innovative transportation technology.
Eligibility
- Applicant eligibility
This procurement may be University Transportation Centers (UTCs) or other consortiums of non-profit organizations such as Public Non-Profit Institutions/Organizations; Sponsored Organizations; State; Local; Other Public Institutions; Federal Recognized Indian Tribal Government; US Territory or Possession; Private Non-Profit Institutions/Organizations; Quasi-Public Non-Profit Institutions/Organizations; Native American Organizations.
- Uses of assistance
Research, development and deployment of innovative transportation technology
- Use restrictions
Can not be used for any construction except for research demonstrations
- Length and time phasing of assistance
The duration of performance varies according to the scope of work statements with typical programs lasting 2 to 6 years.
How to apply
- Preapplication coordination
Environmental impact information is not required for this program.
- Criteria for selecting proposals
As set forth in NOFO
- Award procedure
OST staff will conduct and initial compliance review of applications, then a Technical Merit and Project Readiness Review of each criterion. USDOT will consider whether the application narrative is responsive in focus areas resulting in a selection. Additional criteria specific to the award will be outlined in the NOFO posted to grants.gov
- Renewals
not eligible for renewal
Grant opportunities
| Opportunity | Status | Posted | Applications due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tribal Transportation Safety Strategy Pilot Program | Closed | ||
| Interdisciplinary Transportation Law and Policy Technology Training Development | Closed |
Grant awards
| Award | Recipient | Federal obligations | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Usasean | University Of Southern California | $249,500 |
Top recipients by federal obligations
| Rank | Recipient | Federal obligations | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University Of Southern California | $249,500 | 100% |
Federal obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Federal obligations |
|---|---|
| FY2025 | $249,500 |
Quick answers
What is Assistance Listing 20.909?
Assistance Listing 20.909 is Transportation Research and Technology Advancement, a federal grant program run by Immediate Office of the Secretary of Transportation (Department of Transportation).
What is the CFDA number for Transportation Research and Technology Advancement?
Its CFDA number is 20.909: Assistance Listing numbers were called CFDA numbers before 2018.
How much funding has Assistance Listing 20.909 awarded?
1 grant award under 20.909 have obligated $249,500 in federal funds to 1 recipient.
Who receives the most funding from 20.909?
The recipients obligated the most under Transportation Research and Technology Advancement are University Of Southern California ($249,500).
How much did 20.909 obligate in fiscal year 2025?
Grants under 20.909 obligated $249,500 in federal funds in fiscal year 2025.
Are there open grant opportunities under 20.909?
No opportunity listed under 20.909 is open now. The latest, Tribal Transportation Safety Strategy Pilot Program, was posted on June 24, 2026.
On GovTribe
See this program's full record
- Every grant award and opportunity under it
- Funding by recipient, agency and assistance type
- Alerts for new opportunities
- Ask GovTribe AI about this program