49 U.S.C. § 5506 — Advanced transportation research initiative

(a) Eligible entity. “Eligible entity” means (1) a State agency; (2) a local government agency; (3) an institution of higher education as defined in 20 U.S.C. § 1002, including a center under section 5505; (4) a nonprofit, including a nonprofit research organization; or (5) a private organization collaborating with an entity in (1)–(4). This section does not otherwise define “eligible entity.” (b) Pilot. The Secretary of Transportation must establish a pilot program in which (1) eligible entities may send unsolicited research proposals, and (2) the Secretary may fund proposed research through arrangements with one or more eligible entities. (c) Research. The Secretary may fund research that (1) addresses a need identified by the Secretary or a modal-administration administrator, or an issue the Secretary considers important, and (2) does not duplicate another Federal research project or a project funded by another Federal agency. (d) Review. The Secretary must review every proposal. If funding is denied, the Secretary must give the proposing entity written notice explaining why, including whether it fails to address a needed area, and recommending another research program when appropriate. If recommending another program, the Secretary must guide the entity and that program office. If selected, the Secretary must give written notice and seek an arrangement to fund it. (e) Coordination. (1) Activities must be coordinated with and not duplicate DOT or other Federal programs. (2) The Secretary must coordinate with section 5505 recipients’ research, education, and technology transfer and other relevant DOT research, development, demonstration, and commercial-application programs, including all modal administrations. (3) As appropriate, the Secretary must coordinate fundamental research with the potential for application in the transportation sector with the Office of Science and Technology Policy Director, National Science Foundation Director, Energy Secretary, NIST Director, Homeland Security Secretary, NOAA Administrator, Defense Secretary, and other appropriate agency heads. (f) Review and report. At least every two years, consistently with section 6503, the Secretary must review and evaluate the pilot and its research and publish a report on the DOT website. (g) Federal share. (1) Federal money may cover no more than 80 percent of activity cost. (2) Direct costs paid by non-Federal partners, including personnel, travel, facilities, and hardware development, count toward their share. (h) Expenses. In each fiscal year, no more than 1.5 percent of available money may pay for coordination, evaluation, and oversight. (i) Appropriations. $50,000,000 is authorized for each fiscal year 2022 through 2026.