Centers of Excellence Grants (Discontinued)

Air Transportation Centers of Excellence is sponsored by Department of Transportation. 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. This listing is currently active. Program number: 20.109. Last updated on 2025-12-17.

FAA Aviation Research Grants Program is sponsored by U.S. Department of Transportation / Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This program provides funding to support aviation-related research on topics with the potential to gain further knowledge in emerging aviation technologies and the long-term growth of civil aviation. Eligible research topics include urban air mobility (UAM), unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and unmanned traffic management (UTM), and other areas related to aircraft safety technology and systems science.

The FAA hereby announces its continuing interest in receiving applications for aviation research grants and cooperative agreements to pursue the long-term growth and short-term technical needs of civil aviation, under this funding opportunity. Eligibility of applicants for the award of an aviation research grant varies depending on the nature of the proposer's organization, as well as the character of the research being proposed. In general, colleges, universities, and other non- profit research institutions under Section 501(c)(3) of Title 26 of United States Code, are eligible to apply for an aviation research grant. The FAA Aviation Research Grants Program encourages and supports innovative, advanced research of potential benefit to the long-term growth of civil aviation and commercial space transportation. The pursuit of basic and applied research in scientific and engineering disciplines that have the potential to further knowledge and understanding on a broad front of emerging technologies is crucial to the realization of this goal. The intent is to encourage appliedresearch and development to enhance technology assimilation, transfer, and development in the FAA. The FAA Aviation Research Grants Program does not require the immediate application to Research and Development (R&D) programs, although this may occur in some cases. The FAA encourages thesubmission of proposals that embrace the entire spectrum of physical, chemical, biological, medical, psychological, mathematical, and engineering sciences. The following list illustrates topics of interest to those who may consider applying for a grant under this funding opportunity: 1. Capacity and Air Traffic Control Technology2. Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance3. Aviation Weather4. Airports5. Aircraft Safety Technology6. Human Factors and Aviation Medicine7. Systems Science/Operations Research For more information, please carefully review FAA Notice of Funding Opportunity 20-01, and any supporting attachments. Funding Opportunity Number: 20-01. Assistance Listing: 20.108. Funding Instrument: CA,G. Category: T. Award Amount: Up to $6M per award.

FAA Aviation Research and Development Grants is sponsored by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This program encourages and supports innovative, advanced research of potential benefit to the long-term growth of civil aviation and Commercial Space Transportation, including research addressing the safety of new launch vehicles (expendable, reusable, air and sea launch systems). Small businesses are included in the industry types the FAA seeks to support.