The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) has officially opened applications for the Rural Autonomous Vehicle (RAV) Program, under the funding opportunity number RAVTRANS. This groundbreaking initiative, announced on December 12, 2023, is set to transform the transportation landscape in rural and Tribal communities through the integration of autonomous vehicle technologies. With a substantial total funding amount of $25 million, the program aims to award cooperative agreements to eligible applicants, including public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, as well as private institutions.
The RAV Program stands as a pivotal move by the U.S. DOT to address unique transportation challenges faced by rural and Tribal areas. These challenges include issues related to isolation, transportation cost burden, and traffic safety. The program’s primary focus is on applications of automated vehicle technologies that align with the strategic goals and objectives of U.S. DOT, as documented in their strategic plans. This opportunity not only aims to enhance mobility but also to foster economic development in these communities. The deadline for application submissions is set for March 13, 2024, with the program expecting to make its awards by the archive date of April 12, 2024.
Opportunity ID: 351434
General Information
| Document Type: | Grants Notice |
| Funding Opportunity Number: | RAVTRANS |
| Funding Opportunity Title: | Rural Autonomous Vehicle Program |
| Opportunity Category: | Other |
| Opportunity Category Explanation: | Through this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) seeks competitive cooperative agreement applications for the Rural Autonomous Vehicle (RAV) Program. |
| Funding Instrument Type: | Cooperative Agreement |
| Category of Funding Activity: | Transportation |
| Category Explanation: | |
| Expected Number of Awards: | |
| CFDA Number(s): | 20.944 — Autonomous Vehicle Research in Rural Communities Program |
| Cost Sharing or Matching Requirement: | Yes |
| Version: | Synopsis 2 |
| Posted Date: | Dec 12, 2023 |
| Last Updated Date: | Dec 12, 2023 |
| Original Closing Date for Applications: | Mar 13, 2024 |
| Current Closing Date for Applications: | Mar 13, 2024 |
| Archive Date: | Apr 12, 2024 |
| Estimated Total Program Funding: | $ 25,000,000 |
| Award Ceiling: | $25,000,000 |
| Award Floor: | $25,000,000 |
Eligibility
| Eligible Applicants: | Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Private institutions of higher education |
| Additional Information on Eligibility: | RAV Program will be used for two awards to accredited non-profit institutions of higher education , or consortia thereof, as cooperative agreements on a competitive basis, to conduct research and to work with rural and Tribal communities to address the additional challenges of bringing the benefits of responsible integration of automated vehicles and associated technologies for air and surface mobility to rural and Tribal communities |
Additional Information
| Agency Name: | 69A355 Research and Technology |
| Description: | The RAV program research shall focus on applications of automated vehicles technologies for rural communities that support transportation strategic goals and objectives documented in the U.S. DOT strategic plans and documents listed below. The RAV program research shall address, as applicable, the unique challenges rural and Tribal communities face related to mobility and economic development, including isolation, transportation cost burden, and traffic safety[1]. [1] Applicants can refer to the U.S. DOT Research Hub (https://researchhub.bts.gov/search) and the RD&T Annual Research Plans (https://www.transportation.gov/administrations/assistant-secretary-research-and-technology/rdt-annual-modal-research-plans) pages for information on AV research being conducted by U. S. DOT. |
| Link to Additional Information: | |
| Grantor Contact Information: | If you have difficulty accessing the full announcement electronically, please contact: Randa Radwan
Senior Advisor for Safety and Mobility Phone 202-366-7553 |