FY26 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (Rail Safety IDEA)

DOT-FRA Posted FR-RRD-26-001

Description

Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) programs explore promising but unproven concepts with the potential to advance specific surface transportation systems. The Rail Safety IDEA program investigates innovative concepts and methods to improve safety and performance of railroads. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) endeavors to provide funding for the Transportation Research Board (TRB) of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to continue to carry out the Rail Safety IDEA program. FRA funding for the Safety IDEA program has been provided since October 2002. FRA joined the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), as a joint sponsor of the Safety IDEA program. FMCSA has been funding the Safety IDEA program since the program started in October 2001. In 2013, the Rail Safety IDEA program has become completely independent and separate from the FMCSA; therefore, all projects funded by this Grant must be railroad related projects. The Rail Safety IDEA programs explore innovative concepts that are initiated and proposed by researchers, inventors, universities, or companies, both within and outside the usual transportation research community.

Eligibility

The National Academy of Sciences is the only entity eligible to apply.
Actions
View on Grants.gov
Funding Details
Award Floor
Not specified
Award Ceiling
$500,000.00
Total Estimated Funding
$500,000.00
Expected Awards
1
Key Dates
Posted
July 14, 2026
Closes
July 20, 2026
Archive Date
August 19, 2026
Agency Information
Agency Name
DOT - Federal Railroad Administration
Agency Code
DOT-FRA
Funding Instrument
Other