FY24-26 Center of Excellence-University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Supplemental)

The FY Center of Excellence – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Supplemental funding opportunity is administered by the Federal Railroad Administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation. This program builds upon an existing cooperative agreement and is designed to provide additional financial support to an established Center of Excellence focused on advancing rail transportation research. The Federal Railroad Administration plays a central role in promoting safe, efficient, and reliable rail systems across the United States, and this supplemental funding reflects a continued investment in research infrastructure and institutional expertise already in place at the designated university. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to enhance ongoing research, development, and related activities that improve passenger and freight rail systems. The Center of Excellence is tasked with conducting both basic and applied research across several domains, including safety improvements, project delivery optimization, system efficiency, reliability enhancements, resiliency strategies, and sustainability initiatives. In addition to research, the program explicitly supports education, workforce development, training, and technology transfer activities, ensuring that outcomes extend beyond academic findings into practical industry applications and workforce readiness. Funding under this opportunity is provided through a cooperative agreement, indicating substantial involvement from the Federal Railroad Administration in the execution and oversight of funded activities. The total available funding is capped at a single award, with an expected award amount equal to the full program funding. Allowable uses of funds include research operations, staffing, training programs, dissemination of findings, and other activities aligned with the Center’s mission. While the notice does not specify detailed spending restrictions, all activities must align with the overarching goals of advancing rail transportation systems. Eligibility for this funding opportunity is highly restrictive. Only the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is eligible to apply, as the funding is intended to supplement an existing grant agreement previously awarded to this institution. This exclusive eligibility reflects the continuation of an established partnership and ensures continuity in research efforts already underway. Other institutions, organizations, or entities are not permitted to apply under this notice. The application process is expected to follow standard federal grant submission procedures, likely through Grants.gov, although the notice does not detail specific submission components such as narrative requirements or forms. As a supplemental award, the application may involve modifications or extensions to the existing agreement rather than a fully new proposal. The timeline for submission includes an original closing date that was extended, with the final deadline set in early May. No pre-application requirements such as letters of intent or concept papers are indicated. Evaluation criteria are not explicitly described in the notice, but given the nature of supplemental funding, review is likely focused on alignment with the existing project scope, demonstrated progress, and the potential for expanded impact. Outcomes from the Center are expected to include tangible research outputs, educational advancements, workforce training programs, and technology transfer initiatives that benefit the broader rail transportation sector. The notice provides contact information for the GrantSolutions Help Desk for technical assistance, but does not list a specific program officer or direct contact for programmatic questions.