University Partnership Program | DOT UPP FY2223

Opportunity Information: Apply for DOT UPP FY2223

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). Managed through USDOTs Office of International Transportation and Trade under the Office of the Under Secretary for Policy, the program is designed to connect educators and students with real transportation and mobility challenges tied to two related initiatives: the U.S.-ASEAN Smart Cities Partnership (USASCP) Transportation Program and the Mekong-U.S. Partnership (MUSP) Regional Connectivity Program. The core idea is to use university partnerships as a practical engine for applied learning, knowledge exchange, and on-the-ground capacity building that helps ASEAN cities and regional partners implement modern transportation solutions.

USDOT is seeking a qualified organization to enter into a cooperative agreement, meaning the Department expects to stay actively involved during implementation rather than simply issuing a hands-off grant. The applicant is expected to have established relationships with universities in both the United States and ASEAN and to be able to start and manage working arrangements that involve academic partners as well as government stakeholders. In practice, this is aimed at organizations that can act as a connector and program manager, bringing together faculty, students, local governments, and other stakeholders, then keeping those collaborations organized, productive, and aligned with USDOT program goals.

The program places special emphasis on certain technical and policy areas. For USASCP City Pairs, priority topics include user-centered design of mobility solutions, integrating different mobility options (for example, how public transit, walking, cycling, and shared mobility work together), and data-informed planning. It also includes practical street-level interventions such as sidewalk and street redesigns that improve safety and the efficient movement of people. For the MUSP Mekong Regional Connectivity Program, areas of interest expand to multimodal connectivity; governance, transparency, and high standards; climate resilience; gender, social inclusion, and equity; safety; performance-based planning; sustainable financing; border crossings; and asset management. Proposals that demonstrate credible expertise in these areas receive additional consideration.

UPP is structured around several intended impacts. A central goal is to support the success of the USASCP City Pair work plans by creating partnership opportunities where ASEAN university students can take on meaningful work that both advances their academic development and directly supports city pair or Mekong connectivity objectives. Another major objective is capacity building through knowledge transfer: working with ASEAN universities and related local stakeholders, including local governments, to build local skills and institutional ability to carry out work similar to what is outlined in USASCP work plans and the Mekong connectivity agenda. The program also aims to create a shared knowledge base across ASEAN so that cities and institutions can learn from each other and reduce barriers to adopting mobility innovations influenced by USASCP projects or Mekong regional connectivity efforts.

Beyond knowledge exchange, the program is meant to encourage innovation in how transportation and mobility solutions are delivered in the region. That includes improving system integration across modes, developing partnerships and innovative business models, and strengthening equity in service delivery so improvements benefit a wide range of users rather than only select groups. The awardee is also expected to function as a central point of contact for project-specific challenges, coordinating with USDOT and other stakeholders to identify problems early and work collaboratively on solutions. Finally, the program requires end-of-project reporting that documents accomplishments and challenges, with a clear emphasis on lessons learned and progress toward long-term capacity-building outcomes.

Funding is provided as a discretionary cooperative agreement with an initial performance period of two years. The total funding amount is 590,000, with an award ceiling of 590,000, and the opportunity is fully federally funded with no local cost share or match required. Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) status, including universities and related research organizations. The opportunity was posted under Funding Opportunity Number DOT UPP FY2223, associated with CFDA 19.127, and had an original closing date of March 13, 2023.

• The 69A345 Office of the Under Secretary for Policy in the community development, science and technology and other research and development, transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "University Partnership Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.127.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-01-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-03-13. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $590,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education.

Apply for DOT UPP FY2223

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