Highway Research & Development Program
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Program Objective
The objective is to carry out the highway research and development program as authorized by the FAST Act and conduct research needed to maintain and improve our vital transportation infrastructure. The FAST Act addresses the many challenges facing our transportation system today by providing funding for improving highway safety, improving infrastructure integrity, strengthening transportation planning and environmental decision making, reducing congestion, improving highway operations, enhancing freight movement productivity, and exploratory advanced research.
This Assistance Listing 20.225 created in August 2025 was included in the previous ALN 20.200, please refer to former ALN 20.200 for FY24 and FY25 financial obligations. The new Assistance Listing 20.225 will be utilized by DOT at the start of FY 2026.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- U.S. Federal Government
- U.S. State Government
- U.S. Territory Government
- Interstate Organization
- Federally Recognized Tribal Government
Varies by project. See individual project NOFO for details. (NOFOs issued at www.Grants.gov.)
How to Apply
Award Procedure
In previous award cycles for the HRD programs, funding was provided to recipients whose applications were competitively selected following a merit review by USDOT subject matter experts. The instruments were cost-reimbursement cooperative agreements or grants with cost-sharing.
If a recipient will be a State DOT or if a State DOT will serve as a pass-through entity to a non-State DOT entity, funds were awarded upon the execution of a project agreement, which is a type of agreement for administration of funds to a State DOT using the DOT Payment System referred to as the Fiscal Management Information System (FMIS). If the recipient is a non-State DOT, funds were awarded upon the execution of a cooperative agreement with FHWA.
An example of award procedures used under a previous HRD program can be found via the following link to a NOFO in grants.gov: https://grants.gov/search-results-detail/351055
Award procedures for any future NOFOs will be stated in the NOFO, as made available in Grants.gov.
Program details & compliance
Description
This program is intended to provide funding for:
– activities to improve highway safety;
– activities to improve infrastructure integrity;
– activities to strengthen transportation planning and – environmental decision-making;
– activities to reduce congestion, improve highway operations, and enhance freight productivity;
– exploratory advanced research; and
– operation of FHWA’s Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center. [23 U.S.C. 503(b)]
Mission Categories
Primary: Highways, Public Roads, and Bridges
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Funding previously made available for Highway Research and Development by FHWA under the FAST Act were eligible for use under a broad range of activities eligible including—
- activities to improve highway safety;
- activities to improve infrastructure integrity;
- activities to strengthen transportation planning and - environmental decision-making;
- activities to reduce congestion, improve highway operations, and enhance freight productivity;
- exploratory advanced research; and
- operation of FHWA’s Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center. [23 U.S.C. 503(b)]
Required Documentation
Eligible activities and allowable costs will be determined in accordance with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.
Matching Requirements
While this ALN is anticipated to predominately be used for discretionary/competitive programs where funds are made available via notice of funding opportunities, it's possible that HRD formula funded programs may also utilize this ALN. Should that occur, this ALN shall be updated accordingly.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements