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United States Department of Transportation United States Department of Transportation

Broad Agency Announcement

FRA’s Office of Research, Development and Technology is dedicated to conducting research that improves railroad safety, promotes innovation, and supports national rail transportation policy. These efforts further U.S. Department of Transportation strategic goals, FRA’s mission, and the rail industry as a whole.

FRA releases one or two Broad Agency Announcements (BAA) each year to solicit proposals on a variety of research topics that will have a direct impact on the safety and efficiency of freight and passenger rail operations in the United States. The BAA provides opportunities to government organizations, industry, and academia to conduct applied technology research. Submissions undergo evaluation and selection by the Office of Research, Development and Technology. 

There were two BAAs in 2020:

  • The General BAA solicited applications for applied technology research projects to support the strategic objectives of the Office of Research, Development and Technology and its four research divisions: Track, Rolling Stock, Train Control and Communication, and Human Factors. The application period for this announcement closed on May 22, 2020.
  • The BAA for Intelligent Railroad System (IRS) research was restricted to university and university-led teams as qualifying applicants. There were two application deadlines for this announcement, depending on the type of project: June 26, 2020, and July 31, 2020.

FRA expects to select projects by the end of 2020.

For additional information on the BAA Program and other opportunities for research funding, please visit FRA’s Training and Guidance Webinars webpage and view the FRA Funding for Research Programs webinar recorded on June 16, 2020.

Last updated: Monday, August 24, 2020