University Partnership Program | DOT UPP FY2223

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): University Partnership Program (UPP)

1) What is the University Partnership Program (UPP)?

The University Partnership Program (UPP) is a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) funding opportunity that supports structured collaboration between universities in the United States and universities in Southeast Asia, specifically within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It is intended to connect educators and students with real transportation and mobility challenges tied to USDOT-related regional initiatives.

2) Which federal agency runs this opportunity?

The opportunity is run by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). It is managed through USDOT's Office of International Transportation and Trade under the Office of the Under Secretary for Policy.

3) What related initiatives does UPP support?

UPP is designed to support work connected to two related initiatives: the U.S.-ASEAN Smart Cities Partnership (USASCP) Transportation Program and the Mekong-U.S. Partnership (MUSP) Regional Connectivity Program.

4) What is the overall purpose of UPP?

The program uses university partnerships as a practical engine for applied learning, knowledge exchange, and on-the-ground capacity building. The aim is to help ASEAN cities and regional partners implement modern transportation solutions aligned with USASCP and MUSP goals.

5) What type of funding agreement is being used?

USDOT plans to enter into a cooperative agreement. This means USDOT expects to stay actively involved during implementation rather than issuing a hands-off grant.

6) What does USDOT mean by being "actively involved" under a cooperative agreement?

Based on the opportunity description, USDOT expects to participate during implementation to help keep work aligned with program goals and to collaborate on addressing project-specific challenges as they arise, rather than simply providing funding with minimal engagement.

7) Who is the program looking to fund (what kind of organization)?

USDOT is seeking a qualified organization that can act as a connector and program manager. The applicant is expected to have established relationships with universities in both the United States and ASEAN, and be able to start and manage working arrangements involving academic partners and government stakeholders.

8) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• Nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, including universities and related research organizations

9) Is this limited to universities only?

No. While the program centers on university partnerships, the eligibility list also includes nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, including universities and related research organizations.

10) Is this opportunity focused on a specific region?

Yes. The structured collaboration is between universities in the United States and universities in Southeast Asia, specifically within ASEAN.

11) What kinds of partners are expected to be involved beyond universities?

The program description anticipates involvement from government stakeholders and local stakeholders, including local governments, alongside faculty and students.

12) What are "USASCP City Pairs" in the context of this opportunity?

The opportunity references "USASCP City Pairs" as part of the USASCP Transportation Program context and notes that there are priority topics for these city-pair efforts. The grant emphasizes supporting the success of USASCP City Pair work plans through university partnership opportunities.

13) What technical and policy areas are prioritized for USASCP City Pairs?

For USASCP City Pairs, priority topics include:

• User-centered design of mobility solutions
• Integration of different mobility options (for example, how public transit, walking, cycling, and shared mobility work together)
• Data-informed planning
• Street-level interventions such as sidewalk and street redesigns that improve safety and the efficient movement of people

14) What technical and policy areas are prioritized for the MUSP Mekong Regional Connectivity Program?

For the MUSP Mekong Regional Connectivity Program, areas of interest include:

• Multimodal connectivity
• Governance, transparency, and high standards
• Climate resilience
• Gender, social inclusion, and equity
• Safety
• Performance-based planning
• Sustainable financing
• Border crossings
• Asset management

15) Do proposals need to address these priority areas?

The opportunity states that proposals demonstrating credible expertise in the listed technical and policy areas receive additional consideration.

16) What are the intended impacts or outcomes of the program?

The opportunity describes several intended impacts, including:

• Supporting the success of USASCP City Pair work plans by creating partnership opportunities where ASEAN university students do meaningful work tied to city pair or Mekong connectivity objectives
• Capacity building through knowledge transfer with ASEAN universities and local stakeholders, including local governments
• Creating a shared knowledge base across ASEAN so cities and institutions can learn from each other and reduce barriers to adopting mobility innovations influenced by USASCP projects or Mekong regional connectivity efforts

17) How does UPP involve students and educators?

The program emphasizes applied learning and knowledge exchange. A central goal is to create partnership opportunities where ASEAN university students can take on meaningful work that supports USASCP City Pair work plans or Mekong regional connectivity objectives while also advancing their academic development.

18) What does "capacity building" mean in this program?

In the program description, capacity building refers to knowledge transfer and building local skills and institutional ability within ASEAN universities and related local stakeholders (including local governments) so they can carry out work similar to what is outlined in USASCP work plans and the Mekong connectivity agenda.

19) What does the opportunity mean by creating a "shared knowledge base" across ASEAN?

The program aims to develop shared learning and lessons across ASEAN so that multiple cities and institutions can learn from each other and reduce barriers to adopting mobility innovations connected to USASCP projects or Mekong regional connectivity efforts.

20) What kinds of innovation does the program encourage?

The opportunity states that UPP is meant to encourage innovation in how transportation and mobility solutions are delivered in the region, including:

• Improving system integration across modes
• Developing partnerships and innovative business models
• Strengthening equity in service delivery so improvements benefit a wide range of users rather than only select groups

21) What is the awardee expected to do during implementation?

The awardee is expected to serve as a connector and program manager, keeping collaborations organized and aligned with USDOT program goals. The awardee is also expected to function as a central point of contact for project-specific challenges and to coordinate with USDOT and other stakeholders to identify problems early and work collaboratively on solutions.

22) Are there reporting requirements?

Yes. The program requires end-of-project reporting that documents accomplishments and challenges, with emphasis on lessons learned and progress toward long-term capacity-building outcomes.

23) What is the performance period for the award?

The cooperative agreement has an initial performance period of two years.

24) How much funding is available?

The total funding amount is 590,000, and the award ceiling is 590,000.

25) Is cost share or matching required?

No. The opportunity is described as fully federally funded with no local cost share or match required.

26) What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?

The opportunity was posted under Funding Opportunity Number DOT UPP FY2223.

27) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

The opportunity is associated with CFDA 19.127.

28) When was the original closing date for the opportunity?

The original closing date listed for this opportunity was March 13, 2023.

29) What would make an applicant particularly competitive based on this description?

Based on the information provided, competitive elements include demonstrating established relationships with both U.S. and ASEAN universities, the ability to manage structured partnerships involving government stakeholders, and credible expertise in the priority technical and policy areas for USASCP City Pairs and the MUSP Mekong Regional Connectivity Program.

30) What kinds of transportation work does the opportunity explicitly mention?

The description explicitly mentions work such as integrating mobility options across modes, data-informed planning, and street-level interventions like sidewalk and street redesigns to improve safety and the efficient movement of people, along with broader regional connectivity topics like border crossings and asset management.