science_technology_and_other_research_and_development · DOT-RITA
Interdisciplinary Transportation Law and Policy Technology Training Development
69A355 Research and Technology · LAWPOLICY-OSTR24
Award Range
$600K – $600K
Total Program Funding
$600K
Expected Awards
1
Deadline
August 28, 2026
GRANTQUICK SUMMARYPlain-English Overview
DOT is funding ONE University Transportation Center (UTC) to develop training curriculum on transportation law, policy, and technology — how new technologies (automated vehicles, drones, electric vehicles, shared mobility) interact with existing legal/regulatory frameworks. $600K over 24 months. Must be an EXISTING DOT-funded UTC.
Who Should Apply
Current DOT-funded University Transportation Centers only, in consortium with academic, nonprofit, or for-profit partners. Must have transportation law/policy expertise.
Who Should NOT Apply
Universities without a current UTC designation, individual faculty, organizations not in the UTC network.
Key Requirements (Plain English)
- •Must be a current DOT-funded UTC
- •Must develop training on transportation law + technology intersection
- •Must include consortium partners
- •24-month cooperative agreement
- •$600K single award
💡 GrantQuick Tip
Only existing UTCs can apply — there are about 35 nationally. The one with the strongest transportation law/policy faculty AND technology curriculum expertise will win. If your UTC has a law school partnership or a transportation policy institute, that's your differentiator.
Competitiveness: Moderate — 1 award from ~35 eligible UTCs. Must demonstrate specific law/policy/technology intersection expertise.
What This Grant Funds
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology (OST-R) is announcing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Interdisciplinary Transportation Law and Policy Technology Training Development program. This 24-month cooperative agreement aims to bridge the critical knowledge gap between fast-changing transportation technologies and our Nation's policymakers, lawmakers, and legal counsel.
The primary objective of this program is to research, prioritize, and provide instructional materials on rapidly developing transportation technologies, specifically artificial intelligence (AI), automated vehicles (AV), and the digital infrastructure supporting automation. The selected applicant will be responsible for developing three distinct educational tools: a one-day training course for congressional and support staff, a one-hour Executive Briefing for busy elected leaders and policymakers, and a full-semester curriculum for law students planning to work in transportation policy. The project will culminate in regional pilot training sessions and the transfer of materials for future use.
Attachments
NOFO Informational Slide Deck
Law_and_Policy_NOFO_informational_slide_deck.pdf
Final NOFO - Law and Policy
Transportation_Law_and_Policy_Training_NOFO.pdf
Frequently Asked Question v1
Frequently_Asked_Questions_v1_7.23.26.pdf
NOFO Additional Q&A
Transportation_Law_and_Policy_Training_NOFO_additional_QA_8.11.26.pdf
Who Can Apply
Eligible Applicant Types
Funding Details
- Minimum Award
- $600K
- Maximum Award
- $600K
- Total Program Funding
- $600K
- Expected Number of Awards
- 1
- Cost Sharing Required?
- Yes
- Funding Instrument
- cooperative_agreement
Key Dates
Agency Contact
Kelley C Severns Special Projects Manager Phone 202-934-2655
kelley.severns@dot.govReady to apply?
View the full NOFO and submit your application on Grants.gov