Autonomous Vehicle Research in Rural Communities Program
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Program Objective
The Autonomous Vehicle Research in Rural Communities Program, also known as the Rural Autonomous Vehicle (RAV) Research Cooperative Agreement or RAV Program will award funding to eligible accredited nonprofit institutions of higher education to conduct research and work with rural communities to address the additional challenges, including weather variables and differing types of roadway, of bringing the benefits of autonomous vehicles, including freight and delivery vehicles, to rural Americans. Proposal submission is closed and selection process is complete. Award is in pending status,
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- Local Government Consortium
- Other
Eligible applicants must be accredited private and public non-profit institutions of higher education, including qualifying and two-year institutions established and located physically in the United States or its territories or on Tribal lands. Each Eligible Entity is required to obtain matching funds from non-Federal sources, in an amount of 50 percent of the USDOT award amount. The USDOT funds for the cooperative agreement may be expended up to 2029, and selected entities will have until that date to meet the full match requirement by obtaining and expending those funds.
How to Apply
Award Procedure
OST-R staff will conduct an initial compliance review of applications to identify any that are incomplete, non-responsive to this Notice of Funding Opportunity, or ineligible to receive a RAV Research Cooperative Agreement, followed by a Technical Merit and Project Readiness Review of each criterion. For each criterion, USDOT will consider whether the application narrative is responsive to the selection criterion focus areas which will result in a rating of ‘High,’ ‘Medium,’ ‘Low,’ or ‘Non-Responsive.’ Only applications rated as ‘Highly Recommended’ or ‘Recommended’ will be reviewed by a Senior Review Team (SRT).
Decision Timeline
- Approval: From 90 to 120 days
Program details & compliance
Description
The Joint Explanatory Statement Division L-Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2023 (BILLS 117RCP35 JES DIVISION L, March 2023) accompanying H.R. 2471: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, authorizes the Secretary of Transportation to award two cooperative agreements to eligible non-profit institutions of higher education to conduct research dedicated to identifying and addressing the unique elements of AV operations in rural areas by developing a demonstration project designed to demonstrate automated driving system feasibility that incorporates low speed AVs.
The total amount of funding authorized for FY 2023 is up to $25 million, with each awardee receiving $12.5 million, for a six-year project length. Proposal submission is closed and selection process is complete. Award is in pending status,
Mission Categories
Primary: Highways, Public Roads, and Bridges
Other categories:
Research and Development
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
Funds will be used for research. This will include Research Demonstration activities.
Required Documentation
To submit an application, applicants must: Obtain a Data Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number; Register with the System Award for Management (SAM) at www.sam.gov.
Follow instructions as listed in the Notice of Funding
Opportunity. 2 CFR 200, Subpart E - Cost Principles applies to this program.
Matching Requirements
Total funding under this award must include the US DOT funding plus non-Federal matching funds. The matching funds may include Federal funds provided to a recipient under 23 U.S.C. § 504(b) or 505 (local technical assistance and State planning and research programs managed by the Federal Highway Administration). No other sources of Federal funds, including from non-US DOT Departments and Agencies, may be counted toward the match requirement.
The non-Federal matching funds may be cash or in-kind, must be used to accomplish program objectives and the purpose of the grant, and must be fully documented in the Center’s records. Grantees will have the length of the grant period to obtain and to spend the full amount of required matching funds. Any restrictions under the grant or in Federal grant regulations 2 CFR Part 200 on allowability of costs apply to matching funds as well as the Federal funds.
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