GFA Leadership

GFA Director 

Matthew Hawkins

Mr. Hawkins brings nearly twenty years in federal service and a long history with federal financial assistance to his current position as the Director of the Office of Grants and Financial Assistance (GFA).  Before coming to DOT, he served as the Director of the Research Infrastructure Office at the National Science Foundation (NSF) where he was responsible for all policies and procedures related to the agency’s oversight of large design, construction and operations awards.  Prior to that, he recommended and oversaw ship acquisition and equipment awards as a program officer in the Division of Oceans Sciences.  At the University of Delaware, before going to NSF, he managed financial assistance awards from NSF and the Office of Naval Research as the Director of Marine Operations for a coastal research vessel.  Mr. Hawkins holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s degree in international policy and practice.  He is both an instrument-rated pilot and a licensed mariner.