# Air Transportation Centers of Excellence (20.109)

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/programs/20-109-air-transportation-centers-of-excellence/  
Publisher: Well Told Grants. Data: USAspending.gov and Grants.gov, updated November 7, 2026.

Air Transportation Centers of Excellence is run by Department of Transportation. From fiscal 2021 to 2025 it awarded $233 million in 62 grants, about $3.8 million per award.

## Objectives

Conduct long term research in critical and specific areas of aviation related technology. Responsibilities of Centers may include, but are not limited to: the conduct of research concerning catastrophic failure of aircraft; airspace and airport planning and design; airport capacity enhancement techniques; human performance in the air transportation environment; aviation safety and security; the supply of trained air transportation personnel including pilots and mechanics; and other aviation issues pertinent to developing and maintaining a safe and efficient air transportation system, and the interpretation, publication, and dissemination of the results of such research.

## Funding by fiscal year

| Year | Amount | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $63.6 million | 44 |
| 2022 | $40.6 million | 41 |
| 2023 | $46.3 million | 32 |
| 2024 | $61.1 million | 47 |
| 2025 | $21.5 million | 19 |

## Largest recipients

| Recipient | State | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Wichita State University | Kansas | $53.7 million |
| Georgia Tech Research Corp | Georgia | $24.7 million |
| Mississippi State University | Mississippi | $22.3 million |
| The Pennsylvania State University | Pennsylvania | $16.1 million |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Massachusetts | $15.2 million |
| University of North Dakota | North Dakota | $9.0 million |
| Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Inc. | Florida | $8.6 million |
| Washington State University | Washington | $8.2 million |
| University of Dayton | Ohio | $8.0 million |
| University of Missouri System | Missouri | $6.3 million |
| University of Alaska Fairbanks | Alaska | $6.1 million |
| New Mexico State University | New Mexico | $6.0 million |
| Trustees of Boston University | Massachusetts | $5.1 million |
| The University of Alabama in Huntsville Research and Technology Corporation | Alabama | $4.3 million |
| Kansas State University | Kansas | $3.5 million |
| Purdue University | Indiana | $3.2 million |
| The Ohio State University | Ohio | $3.0 million |
| Drexel University | Pennsylvania | $2.8 million |
| Oregon State University | Oregon | $2.8 million |
| University of Illinois | Illinois | $2.6 million |

## Open opportunities

- [Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuels and Environment](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/faa-coe-ajfe-center-of-excellence-for-alternative-jet-fuels-and/), closes September 30, 2027
- [Joint Center of Excellence for Advanced Materials Research](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/faa-coe-jams-joint-center-of-excellence-for-advanced-materials-research/), closes not stated