DOT Looking for Partner Universities to Tackle Nation's Transportation Challenges Through Research and Technology

DOT Looking for Partner Universities to Tackle Nation's Transportation Challenges Through Research and Technology

The U.S. Department of Transportation is inviting colleges and universities across the country to compete over the next two months to receive approximately $6 million in federal transportation research funds. The ten winning schools will be designated as Regional University Transportation Centers (UTC) for a three-year period.

"These unique institutions not only train our next generation of innovators, but also are vital partners in solving challenges ranging from traffic congestion to safety," said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta. "We are looking to our next generation of transportation pioneers to help keep America moving safely, reliably and efficiently through research and technology innovation."

Applications for the merit-based competition are due by June 1, and the Department will make its selections by July 14. Once selected, the new UTCs will be expected to provide leadership in solving national and regional transportation problems facing the nation today, Mineta added.

The 10 current UTCs are the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the City College of New York, the Pennsylvania State University, the University of Tennessee, the University of Wisconsin - Madison, Texas A&M University, Iowa State University, North Dakota State University, the University of California, and the University of Washington.

Application forms, instructions and selection criteria can be accessed online at http://utc.dot.gov or www.grants.gov. The UTC program is administered by DOT's Research and Innovative Technology Administration.

http://www.dot.gov/affairs/rita0206.htm