Pipeline Safety Research Competitive Academic Agreement Program (CAAP)

Competitive Academic Agreement Program (CAAP)
CFDA 20.724 Active Cooperative Agreement
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Program Funding

Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.

Latest annual funding (estimated)
$4M FY2026
$2.2M
FY24
$2M
FY25
$4M
FY26*
* estimated

Who has received this funding

Organizations awarded under CFDA 20.724 (USAspending.gov).

Funded Projects

Examples of what this program has supported.

FY2025 Since 2013, CAAP has funded 79 projects involving 488 students with investments of $28.4 million in federal support and more than $8.0 million from nonprofit higher education institutions.

Program Objective

The CAAP initiative is intended to spur innovation by enabling an academic research focus on high-risk and high pay-off solutions for the many pipeline safety challenges. It will potentially deliver solutions that can be “hand-offs” to PHMSA’s core research program of demonstration and deployment. The goal would be to validate proof of concept of a thesis or theory all the way to commercial introduction into the market. Further, the pipeline industry and federal/state regulators are experiencing low numbers of applicants to entry level positions that are technically focused. As such, another goal of the CAAP program is to expose graduate and PhD research students to subject matter that is common to pipeline safety challenges and to illustrate how their engineering or technical disciplines are highly needed in the field. The ultimate benefit would be to cultivate new talent in all aspects of pipelines, similar to how programs at other Federal Agencies and non-profit organizations have encouraged talent to consider a career in a certain field.

Eligibility

Eligible Applicants

  • Nonprofit Organization

Applicants must be non-profit institutions of higher education located in the United States or a U.S. territory or possession.

Beneficiaries

  • U.S. Federal Government
  • U.S. State Government
  • U.S. Citizen
  • Resident/Citizen of U.S. Territory

Solutions from academic research agreements to non-profit institutions of higher education will benefit the American public who have interest in safety, innovation, efficiency, and accelerating movement of goods/product of energy.

How to Apply

Award Procedure

PHMSA will conduct an initial administrative review of each application to determine if it is complete and meets the minimum eligibility requirements. A team composed of PHMSA program staff representatives and, potentially, industry experts will then conduct a technical review to evaluate and rate each application against the evaluation criteria and to evaluate the acceptability of the proposed budget. Cooperative agreements will be awarded to applicants having the highest merit until the available funding is exhausted. PHMSA intends to solicit applications under this program on a yearly basis during the second quarter of the calendar year, with applications due during the second quarter.

Decision Timeline

  • Approval: From 30 to 60 days

Applications are normally due within 60 days after the announcement is posted to www.Grants.gov.

Program details & compliance

Description

The goal of CAAP is to encourage academic research and university student involvement that spurs innovation and provides solutions to pipeline safety challenges facing the Nation’s pipeline infrastructure

Mission Categories

Primary: Research and Development

Use of Funds

Allowed Uses

Awards will be made in the form of cooperative agreements, which will play a role in finding the solutions to national, regional and local pipeline operational safety and environmental challenges. Some of these challenges involve having the best technology to efficiently and effectively meet or exceed Federal and State regulatory requirements. Other challenges are in keeping critical industry consensus standards fresh with the latest knowledge and know-how so that people, property and the environment are protected.

Required Documentation

Applications must include a letter on the submitting institution’s letterhead that certifies minimum requirements are understood and will be met. The letter must be signed by the Dean or equivalent level of that college, department or program and inserted Appendix A to the technical application.
2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.

Matching Requirements

Pursuant to section 22(b)(2)(C)(ii) of the PIPES Act of 2016 (Pub. L. 114–183), there is a mandatory minimum 20 percent cost-sharing requirement for CAAP agreements. The Federal government cost share shall not exceed 80 percent of the total cost, capped at $1 million. Firm commitment letters for cost sharing must accompany applications, or proposals will not be reviewed.

Reporting & Compliance

Records Retention
3 years

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

Contacts

Nusnin Akter — Agreement Administrator (AA) and Agreement Officer's (AOR)
(839) 273-0528
Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Office of Pipeline Safety 1200 New Jersey Ave, SE,, Washington, DC 20590
Data from SAM.gov Federal Assistance Listings. Source published: 2026-03-26. Spec v2.0. Last synced: 2026-05-28 07:23:51.