Frequently Asked Questions

The following questions pertain to the Beyond Traffic Innovation Centers Solicitation

What are the Beyond Traffic Innovation Centers?

• Building on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s future-focused Beyond Traffic draft report outlining upcoming trends of the next 30 years, U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has announced a solicitation for applicants to be designated as U.S. DOT Beyond Traffic Innovation Centers. These centers will be recognized by the Department as forward-thinking and influential institutions that are capable of driving solutions to the challenges identified in Beyond Traffic by convening decision-makers in their megaregion and coordinating related research, curriculum, outreach, and other activities.
   
• USDOT Beyond Traffic Innovation Center activities could comprise identifying possible solutions in their megaregion, including but not limited to the following: evaluating and researching new technologies relevant to tackling transportation challenges with the megaregion; identifying and developing training approaches for the megaregion’s future transportation workforce; and convening practitioners, public and private leaders within the megaregion to help identify specific actions that can be taken in the megaregion to address its challenges over the next 30 years.

Who can be designated as a Beyond Traffic Innovation Center?

• The following entities are eligible for designation as a USDOT Beyond Traffic Innovation Center.  Individuals are not eligible for designation under this notice. The Department actively encourages the inclusion of minority-serving institutions. Eligible entities include:
  • U.S. non-profit institutions of higher education as defined under 20 U.S.C. § 1001(a). Non-profit institutions of higher education may include qualifying two-year institutions that meet the requirements of 20 U.S.C. § 1001(a). This includes existing and future University Transportation Centers and applicants. 
  • Non-profit organizations described under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (IRC) and exempt from tax under section 501(a) of such code.
     
• Multiple entities may submit a joint application and must identify a lead applicant as the primary point of contact. Joint applications must include a description of the roles and responsibilities of each project party and must be signed by each project party.

When are applications due?

• Final applications must be submitted to BeyondTraffic@dot.gov by 11:59 PM on December 21, 2016.

How is a Beyond Traffic Innovation Center different from a University Transportation Center?

• Beyond Traffic Innovation Centers are intended to continue the conversation started by Beyond Traffic by encouraging and enhancing thought leadership by convening decision-makers in a megaregion and stimulating discussion around the challenges our country faces over the next 30 years. Unlike grants under the University Transportation Center Program, a designation as a USDOT Beyond Traffic Innovation Center is not an award of Federal financial assistance.
   
• In addition, the Beyond Traffic Innovation Center solicitation is intentionally flexible to allow eligible institutions to determine whether their plan for continuing the conversation – through research, curriculum, events, or other outreach – is the most effective approach in their megaregion.

Does designation as a Beyond Traffic Research Center come with any financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Transportation? 

• A designation as a USDOT Beyond Traffic Innovation Center is not an award of Federal financial assistance.

Does the 4-page limit include a cover page?

• No. Your cover page does not count against the page limit.

How many Beyond Traffic Innovation Centers will the Secretary designate?

• The Secretary plans to designate multiple Centers based on the quality and diversity of applications received.