Research Partnership on Climate Change and Transportation

The Center for Efficiency, Resiliency, and Community Engagement in Transportation research and technology goals: (1) support the transportation sector with innovative approaches and solutions; (2) build and invest in resilient transportation infras

To further, American transportation systems into the technology next generation to engage communities and safe travel for the American public with smarter and cost effective investments. Investing research and development in new and emerging technologies in the transportation sector, including digitalization, artificial intelligence and machine-learning, integrated multimodal transportation systems, innovative design solutions, and other advances. Research, development, demonstration, and deployment of such technologies are critical for the United States to reach its goal as global leader in transportation sector.

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 Centers (UARCs), Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), national laboratories, etc.), and private and 501(c)3 nonprofit research entities

U.S. DOT seeks to fund a climate and transportation research center that advances research to support Administration efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector, incorporate evidence-based climate resilience and adaptation measures and features, reduce the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions from the project materials, and avoid adverse environmental impacts to air or water quality, wetlands, and endangered species, and address the disproportionate negative environmental impacts of transportation on disadvantaged communities, consistent with Executive Order 14008, Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad (86 FR 7619)." Further, U.S. DOT seeks to fund a climate and transportation research center that will advance research to support Administration efforts to create proportional impacts to all populations in a project area, remove transportation related disparities to all populations in a project area, and increase equitable access to project benefits, consistent with Executive Order 13985, Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government (86 FR 7009

The period of performance will consist of one 36-month base period. The period of performance will begin on the effective date of the award, as stated in the resulting grant agreement, and end on the period of performance end date that is listed in the signed grant agreement, unless extended.

U.S. DOT will evaluate and rank the applications against the following technical evaluation criteria. These criteria are distinct from eligibility criteria (see Section C) that are addressed before an application is accepted for review. • Quality and Feasibility. The research center idea is well developed, with detail about how program activities will be carried out. The proposal includes a reasonable implementation timeline. • Innovation and Impact. The proposing organization and research center idea are well-positioned to advance innovative research with high potential for significant impact on policy or other decision making regarding climate change and transportation. • Organizational Capacity and Record on Previous Federally-funded Projects. The organization has expertise in its stated field and has the internal controls in place to manage federal funds. • Monitoring and Evaluation Plan. Applicant demonstrates it is able to measure success against key indicators and provides milestones to indicate progress toward goals outlined in the proposal. The program includes output and outcome indicators and shows how and when those will be measured. • Sustainability. Program activities will continue to have positive impact after the end of the program. • Support of Equity and Underserved Communities. Proposal shows clearly how the researcher center's activities will advance equity in the area of climate change and transportation. COST: The cost proposal will be evaluated on: 1) Cost reasonableness 2) Cost matching of 50% of total cost 3) Budget controls to achieve the work objectives

If your organization's application is selected for award, you will be notified and sent an award document for signature. Applicants not selected for award will be notified in writing by U.S. DOT. Only the AO can commit the U.S. DOT. The award document, signed by the AO, is the authorizing document. Only the AO can bind the Federal Government to the expenditure of funds. Notice that an Applicant has been selected as a Recipient does not constitute approval of the application as submitted. Before the actual award, U.S. DOT will enter into negotiations concerning such items as program components, staffing and funding levels, and administrative systems, if necessary. If the negotiations do not result in an acceptable submittal, the U.S. DOT reserves the right to terminate the negotiation and decline to fund the Applicant.