Program Overview 

Grants for University Transportation Research (49 U.S.C. 5505) are awarded to non-profit institutions of higher learning by the Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) using funds appropriated to FTA.

This program focuses on the transfer of knowledge relevant to national, state, and local issues, and builds professional capacity of the transportation workforce.  Research and education activities address transportation planning, analysis and management, with special emphasis on increasing the number of highly skilled individuals entering the field of transportation. All recipients are specified in law.

Under the program participating universities conduct basic and applied research, education programs that include multidisciplinary course work and participation in research, and ongoing programs of technology transfer that make research results available to potential users.

For detailed information, visit the RITA University Transportation Centers website at http://utc.dot.gov/.

Funding for Fiscal Year 2010

The Federal Transit Administration budget request for fiscal year 2010 requests $7 million for University Transportation Research.