Aviation Research Grants

 

To encourage and support innovative, advanced, and applied research and development in areas of potential benefit to the long-term growth of civil aviation.

General information about this opportunity
Last Known Status
Active
Program Number
20.108
Federal Agency/Office
Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Transportation
Type(s) of Assistance Offered
B - Project Grants; I - Use of Property, Facilities, and Equipment
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2016 The FAA has awarded numerous grants this year. Several grants awarded this year are: “Probabilistic Finite Element Modeling of Oblique Impact Loading to the Lumbar Spine” Southwest Research Institute, “Further Airframe Usage and Operational Loads Monitoring of ASM/Lead Aircraft” Wichita State University, Statistical Need for Probability of Detection in Structural Health Monitoring” Iowa State University of Science and Technology, “Global Safety Information Project” Flight Safety and “Identifying CRM Approaches for Enhancing Flight crew Performance” University of Central Florida and “Probabilistic Modeling of Random Variables and K-Solution Developments for General Aviation – Extensions to the SMART/DT Software” The University of Texas San Antonio. The FAA has awarded numerous grants this year. Several grants awarded this year are: “Probabilistic Finite Element Modeling of Oblique Impact Loading to the Lumbar Spine” Southwest Research Institute, “Further Airframe Usage and Operational Loads Monitoring of ASM/Lead Aircraft” Wichita State University, Statistical Need for Probability of Detection in Structural Health Monitoring” Iowa State University of Science and Technology, “Global Safety Information Project” Flight Safety and “Identifying CRM Approaches for Enhancing Flight crew Performance” University of Central Florida and “Probabilistic Modeling of Random Variables and K-Solution Developments for General Aviation – Extensions to the SMART/DT Software” The University of Texas San Antonio.
Fiscal Year 2018 Aviation research grant awarded to University of Oklahoma involving the Analysis of Human Behaviours and Strategies for Risk Reduction: Application of High Fidelity Virtual Reality Simulation of Real Airports, encompasses developing realistic high-fidelity virtual reality scenarios of actual airports and integrating the SA, visual scanning, and aircraft control strategies as a function of time. The research is expected to substantially influence FAA, Aviation and Aerospace domains, and Human Factors communities through increasing face validity and content validity. Aviation Research Grant awarded to George Mason University to develop and apply finite element modeling and simulation analysis methods for the calibration of material models that will be applied in aircraft engine containment and aircraft level assessment of uncontained debris analyses. Aviation research grant awarded to University of Iowa to explore prototype display systems and future sensor technologies to increase safety and operational efficiency for helicopters while enhancing the safety case for reduced visibility minima. This research will enable helicopters to conduct approaches in low visibility conditions in both VMC and IMC weather to VFR helipads. This research will also support the development of operational criteria and airworthiness guidance (a public purpose) for enabling the use of technology for helicopter operations in a high-risk low-altitude environment.
Fiscal Year 2019 In Fiscal Year 2019 the FAA Aviation Research Grants Program continued to utilize research grant awards to support advanced research in areas of potential benefit to the long-term growth of civil aviation, and in areas related to the prevention of catastrophic failure of an aircraft, and to contribute to the FAA mission of improving aviation safety, capacity, efficiency, and security. Examples of funded projects include: Specification for use of nonnuclear technology in measuring properties of unbound pavement material; Methodologies to model tail cutoff location for Smart-DT input random variables; Lighting and visual guidance research for airport applications; Gamification of visual scanning strategies for training; Lighting and visual guidance research for airport applications; ATO Alarm Management.
Fiscal Year 2020 In Fiscal Year 2020 the FAA Aviation Research Grants Program continues to utilize research grant awards to support advanced research in areas of potential benefit to the long-term growth of civil aviation, and in areas related to the prevention of catastrophic failure of an aircraft, and to contribute to the FAA mission of improving aviation safety, capacity, efficiency, and security. Examples of funded projects include: Probabilistic Integrity and Risk Assessment of Turbine Engines; Visualization and Analysis of Rotorcraft Safety within a CAVE Virtual Reality Environment; Cabin Interior and Engine Related Impact and Failure Analysis Guidelines for Non-Linear Finite Element Modeling.
Fiscal Year 2021 In Fiscal Year 2021 the FAA Aviation Research Grants Program continued to utilize research grant awards to support advanced research in areas of potential benefit to the long-term growth of civil aviation, and in areas related to the prevention of catastrophic failure of an aircraft, and to contribute to the FAA mission of improving aviation safety, capacity, efficiency, and security. Examples of funded projects include: Effective Integration of Human Factors Engineering into System Development Acquisition Programs; UAM eVTOL Ice Accretion Characterization; A Parametric Study of the Effect of SLD Ice Accretion on the Aerodynamic Performance of Swept Wings and the contributions of human operators to safety and risk mitigation: Implications for crew complements and automation/autonomy levels in commercial transport operations.
Fiscal Year 2022 In Fiscal Year 2022 the FAA Aviation Research Grants Program plans to continue to utilize research grant awards to support advanced research in areas of potential benefit to the long-term growth of civil aviation, and in areas related to the prevention of catastrophic failure of an aircraft, and to contribute to the FAA mission of improving aviation safety, capacity, efficiency, and security. Examples of funded projects include: Human Factors Guidance for the Design, Implementation and Evaluation of AI/ML in the Human-Automation ATC Systems, Material Model Development and Its Application Using Finite Element Methods in Engine Failure Analysis, Probabilistic Integrity and Risk Assessment of Turbine Engines (PIRATE) Phase III.
Fiscal Year 2023 In Fiscal Year 2023 the FAA Aviation Research Grants Program plans to continue to utilize research grant awards to support advanced research in areas of potential benefit to the long-term growth of civil aviation, and in areas related to the prevention of catastrophic failure of an aircraft, and to contribute to the FAA mission of improving aviation safety, capacity, efficiency, and security. Examples of funded projects include: Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Alarm Management, Simulation-Aided Design of Ductile Fracture Experiments for Aerospace Metals: Torsion, Tension-Torsion, and Compression-Torsion with Superposed Hydrostatic Pressure, and Human Factors Guidance for the Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of AI/ML in the Human-Automation ATC Systems.
Authorization
Federal Aviation Administration Research, Engineering and Development Authorization Act of 1990, Public Law 101-508
49 USC 44511: Aviation research grants U.S.C.
Who is eligible to apply/benefit from this assistance?
Applicant Eligibility
(1) Accredited Institutions of Higher Education as defined by 20.U.S.C. 1001(a) including colleges, universities, and other institutions of higher education. (2) Non-profit institutions under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of United States Code that are: (a) Operated primarily for scientific, educational, service, charitable, or similar services in the public interest. (b) Not organized primarily for profit. (c) Utilizes net proceeds to maintain, improve, and/or expand its operations.
Beneficiary Eligibility
Colleges, Universities, and Non-profit research institutions are eligible to benefit from assistance.
Credentials/Documentation
A complete description of documentation required for applying, along with submission requirements, is outlined in the Aviation Research Grant Program Solicitation Number FAA-12-01, posted on www.grants.gov.
What is the process for applying and being award this assistance?
Pre-Application Procedure
Preapplication coordination is required. This program is eligible for coverage under E.O. 12372, "Intergovernmental Review of Federal Programs." An applicant should consult the office or official designated as the single point of contact in his or her State for more information on the process the State requires to be followed in applying for assistance, if the State has selected the program for review. Pre-application form not required. Pre-application conference is not required. However, in order to streamline the application process, it is recommended (but not required) that all prospective grantees submit a 3 page white paper (letter of intent) for agency technical review. The white paper must indicate the specific FAA Technical Area(s) of Research that aligns with those specified in Program Solicitation No. FAA-12-01.
Application Procedure
2 CFR 200, Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards applies to this program. Proposals must be submitted electronically through the Grants.gov website at www.grants.gov under Opportunity Number 12-01. Proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements of Grants.gov, and in accordance with the specific submission requirements and instructions outlined in Program Solicitation No. FAA-12-01. The solicitation can be accessed through the Grants.gov website at www.grants.gov.
Award Procedure
Award authority has been delegated to the FAA Grants Officer for the Aviation Research Grants Program, ANG-A19. Awards will be made throughout the year. Program Solicitation No. FAA-12-01 is currently open. Any change to this will appear on the Grants.gov website at www.grants.gov.
Deadlines
Proposals are accepted throughout the calendar year.
Approval/Disapproval Decision Time
120 Days.
Appeals
Formal protests are not an option. Debriefings may be requested.
Renewals
Multi-year grants and cooperative agreements are available; extensions are possible. No-Cost Extensions available upon request.
How are proposals selected?
The FAA has established the following four (4) criteria which must be met for a proposal to be eligible for funding: (1) Intrinsic Value; (2) Relevance to the FAA Mission; (3) Technical Soundness of the Proposal; (4) Research Performance Competence.
How may assistance be used?
Grants and cooperative agreements may be used to support research and development projects at colleges, universities and nonprofit institutions in the following areas: (1) Capacity and Air Traffic Control Technology (2) Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance (3) Aviation Weather (4) Airports (5) Aircraft Safety Technology (6) Human Factors and Aviation Medicine (7) Systems Science/Operations Research Discretionary funds are not currently available. Potential grantees are encouraged to contact FAA Research Technical Program Offices for sponsorship.
What are the requirements after being awarded this opportunity?
Reporting
Performance Reports: A Technical Monitor (TM) is a Federal employee who is assigned by the sponsoring organization to oversee each task, to monitor performance, receive technical reports and approve invoices.
Auditing
Single Audit Act assigns responsibility to either the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Defense for most institutions. The FAA reserves the right to conduct individual audits as needed within the constraints of applicable laws and regulations.
Records
Technical and financial records must be retained for a minimum of 3 years (or longer, depending on special situations) following completion of a grant or cooperative agreement.
Other Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
Statutory formula is not applicable to this assistance listing.

Matching requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.

MOE requirements are not applicable to this assistance listing.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Grants are awarded for a minimum of 1 Year and a maximum of 5 Years. A standard grant is a grant in which the FAA agrees to support a level of effort for a specified period of time, usually for a minimum of 1 year. A continuing grant is an agreement to support a level of effort for a specified period of time, usually for a minimum of 1 year, with a statement of intent to provide additional support of the project for additional period(s) provided funds are available and the results achieved warrant further support. Assistance is disbursed on a monthly basis. Advances are possible based on prior written approval from the FAA Grants Officer. The Aviation Research Grants Program awards grants through issuance of a research grant or cooperative agreement grant. Additionally, funds are awarded through amendments to the grant or cooperative agreement. Upon receipt of an invoice, and approval by the FAA Technical Monitor, a payment is authorized to the grantee.
Who do I contact about this opportunity?
Regional or Local Office
None/Not specified.
Headquarters Office
Alicia Joynes
1250 Maryland Ave SW
Washington, DC 20024 USA
alicia.joynes@faa.gov
Phone: 2022677540
Financial Information
Account Identification
69-8108-0-7-402
Obligations
(Project Grants (Discretionary)) FY 22$4,670,004.00; FY 23 est $9,063,702.00; FY 24 est $599,998.00; FY 21$7,346,000.00; FY 20$2,337,934.00; FY 19$6,091,163.00; FY 18 -
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
The average range for grant assistance is between $50,000 and $5,000,000. The amount, duration, and size of awards will depend on the number of applications selected for award, and the actual amount of funds available in each Fiscal Year.
Regulations, Guidelines and Literature
2 CFR 200 formerly OMB Circulars 2 CFR 215, A-122, A-133, A-110 and A-21, Regulations and Executive Orders are referenced in Appendix 1 of the FAA Research Grants Order 9550-7B. A solicitation package containing the appropriate forms and directions is available through grants.gov.
Examples of Funded Projects
Fiscal Year 2016 “Probabilistic Finite Element Modeling of Oblique Impact Loading to the Lumbar Spine”, Southwest Research Institute, “Further Airframe Usage and Operational Loads Monitoring of ASM/Lead Aircraft”, Wichita State University, Statistical Need for Probability of Detection in Structural Health Monitoring”, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, and “Probabilistic Modeling of Random Variables and K-Solution Developments for General Aviation – Extensions to the SMART/DT Software” The University of Texas San Antonio. “Probabilistic Finite Element Modeling of Oblique Impact Loading to the Lumbar Spine”, Southwest Research Institute, “Further Airframe Usage and Operational Loads Monitoring of ASM/Lead Aircraft”, Wichita State University, Statistical Need for Probability of Detection in Structural Health Monitoring”, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, and “Probabilistic Modeling of Random Variables and K-Solution Developments for General Aviation – Extensions to the SMART/DT Software” The University of Texas San Antonio.
Fiscal Year 2018 Research projects funded encompass research in the following areas: Analysis of Human Behaviours and Strategies for Risk Reduction: Application of High Fidelity Virtual Reality Simulation of Real Airports Vision Systems Human Factors Research Material Model Development and Its Application Using Finite Element Methods in Engine Failure Analysis
Fiscal Year 2022 In Fiscal Year 2022 the FAA Aviation Research Grants Program utilized research grant awards to support advanced research in areas of potential benefit to the long-term growth of civil aviation, and in areas related to the prevention of catastrophic failure of an aircraft, and to contribute to the FAA mission of improving aviation safety, capacity, efficiency, and security. Examples of funded projects included: Human Factors Guidance for the Design, Implementation and Evaluation of AI/ML in the Human-Automation ATC Systems, Material Model Development and Its Application Using Finite Element Methods in Engine Failure Analysis, Probabilistic Integrity and Risk Assessment of Turbine Engines (PIRATE) Phase III.
Fiscal Year 2023 In Fiscal Year 2023 the FAA Aviation Research Grants Program utilized research grant awards to support advanced research in areas of potential benefit to the long-term growth of civil aviation, and in areas related to the prevention of catastrophic failure of an aircraft, and to contribute to the FAA mission of improving aviation safety, capacity, efficiency, and security. Examples of funded projects included: Air Traffic Organization (ATO) Alarm Management, Simulation-Aided Design of Ductile Fracture Experiments for Aerospace Metals: Torsion, Tension-Torsion, and Compression-Torsion with Superposed Hydrostatic Pressure, and Human Factors Guidance for the Design, Implementation, and Evaluation of AI/ML in the Human-Automation ATC Systems.

 


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