FR-RRD-25-003: FY24-26 Center of Excellence-University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Supplemental)
Closed
This grant is closed. Who won this program's grants before is below, and similar open grants are at the end of the page. It is in our archive of DOT - Federal Railroad Administration notices from 2026.
DOT - Federal Railroad Administration offered grants of up to $2.5 million to the applicants described in the notice. It expected to make one award worth $2.5 million in total. Applications closed on May 8, 2026.
From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed June 3, 2026. Checked November 7, 2026.
- Award ceiling$2.5 million
- Total funding$2.5 million
- Expected awards1
- Cost sharingRequired
- Funding typeCooperative Agreement
Key dates
| Posted | April 24, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Deadline | May 8, 2026 |
| Archived by Grants.gov | June 7, 2026 |
Who can apply
This opportunity was open to the applicants described in the notice.
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
Only University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign can apply.
Is this a realistic fit?
- Past Railroad Research and Development awards averaged $1.5 million; this notice allows up to $2.5 million per award.
- Most of the program's money (75% over five years) went to nonprofits.
- The notice requires cost sharing or matching funds, so you must contribute part of the project cost.
What the grant funds
This funding opportunity provides supplemental funds to the existing grant agreement number 69A36524520020RRDIL. The objective of the Center is to advance research and development that improves the safety, efficiency, and reliability of passenger and freight rail transportation by funding basic and applied research, evaluation, education, workforce development, training, and technology transfer efforts related to safety, project delivery, efficiency, reliability, resiliency, and sustainability of urban commuter, intercity high-speed, and freight rail transportation. Outcomes from the Center will include results from the research conducted as well as education, workforce development, and technology transfer activities.
Who has won Railroad Research and Development grants before
From fiscal 2021 to 2025, Railroad Research and Development (20.313) awarded $22.4 million across 15 grant awards, an average of $1.5 million per award.
| Recipient | State | Awards | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short Line Safety Institute | District of Columbia | 7 | $14.8 million |
| University of Illinois | Illinois | 1 | $5.0 million |
| National Academy of Sciences | District of Columbia | 5 | $2.1 million |
| University of Maryland, College Park | Maryland | 1 | $400,000 |
| Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska | Nebraska | 1 | $176,552 |
Applying now
This notice no longer takes applications. Agencies often post the same opportunity again under a new number, so check the program's notices on Grants.gov and the similar open grants below.
The notice on Grants.gov keeps its full text and attachments, which is useful for planning a resubmission.
Questions people ask
Is FR-RRD-25-003 still open?
No. It closed on May 8, 2026.
Who can apply for FY24-26 Center of Excellence-University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Supplemental)?
DOT - Federal Railroad Administration accepted applications from the applicants described in the notice. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.
What is the deadline for FY24-26 Center of Excellence-University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (Supplemental)?
Closed May 8, 2026. Applications are no longer accepted; the program's newer notices are on this page when there are any.
How much funding is available?
Awards of up to $2.5 million each. About $2.5 million in total for one award.
Who has won Railroad Research and Development grants before?
The largest recipients over five fiscal years were Short Line Safety Institute, University of Illinois, National Academy of Sciences. The program made 15 awards worth $22.4 million in that time.