The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is seeking applications from universities for up to 35 University Transportation Center (UTC) awards as a part of their UTC program, offering $450 million in funding for a 5-year period from 2022 through 2026.
“I am inspired by the cutting-edge transportation technologies our UTCs are developing,” stated Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Transportation Secretary. “With this investment, we’ll be able to support a new generation of visionary leaders and advance research that will help to transform our transportation system with safer, cleaner, more accessible ways for people and goods to move in this country.”
“DOT’s multimodal UTC program is the bedrock of our innovative, transformative and cohesive transportation future,” said the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, Dr. Robert C. Hampshire. “These investments will lead to cutting edge transportation research, train a diverse next generation of transportation professionals, and ultimately help the American people get to where they need to go much more quickly and affordably.”
UTCs must propose a focus area from the legislation's research priorities, including reducing congestion, preserving the environment, improving mobility of people and goods, promoting safety, improving the durability and extending the life of the Transporation Infrastructure, preserving the Transporation Infrastructure, and reducing Transportation Cybersecurity Risk.
President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law continues the UTC Program, allowing 35 grants to be given. The USDOT intends to select up to five National UTCs, 10 Regional UTCs, and up to 20 Tier 1 UTCs.
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Source: U.S. Department of Transportation
