Opportunity Information: Apply for 693JJ319NF00001
The Automated Driving System (ADS) Demonstration Grants opportunity is a discretionary federal grant program issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Office of Acquisition and Grants Management, under a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). The program is designed to support planning efforts, direct research, and real-world demonstration projects focused on testing and evaluating how automated driving systems can be safely integrated into the nation’s existing on-road transportation network. In practical terms, the funding is meant to move beyond theory and support projects that can show, in operational conditions, how ADS technologies interact with roads, traffic, and public agencies while maintaining safety.
USDOT indicated an intent to make available up to $60,000,000 in total federal funding to support multiple demonstration projects. Individual awards could be as large as $10,000,000 (the listed award ceiling), reflecting the expectation that selected projects may involve complex deployments, multi-agency coordination, and significant data collection and evaluation. While the NOFO would contain the detailed requirements, the summary makes clear that the core purpose is demonstration and applied learning: testing integration approaches, identifying risks, and generating evidence that can inform future policy, standards, infrastructure planning, and operational practices for automated driving on public roads.
Eligibility is restricted to public-sector and similarly situated entities. Eligible applicants include state governments and subdivisions such as county and city or township governments, federally recognized tribal governments, transit agencies and authorities, metropolitan planning organizations, public port authorities or districts, public academic institutions, and public research institutions. The opportunity also allows a multi-jurisdictional group to apply, as long as there is a single lead applicant submitting on behalf of the group, which aligns with how many transportation deployments span multiple localities or agencies. Private companies and private universities are explicitly not eligible to apply as the lead applicant, but they may still participate through the public lead as sub-recipients or subcontractors. This structure allows the program to leverage private-sector technology and expertise while keeping accountability and project leadership within public or public-serving institutions.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as a transportation funding program (CFDA number 20.200) using the grant instrument type. The funding opportunity number is 693JJ319NF00001, and the original application closing date listed is March 21, 2019, with a creation date of December 21, 2018. The NOFO is referenced as the authoritative source for complete instructions, selection criteria, and application requirements, meaning applicants would need to rely on that document for specifics such as required project elements, cost principles, reporting expectations, evaluation metrics, matching requirements (if any), and how USDOT intends to assess safety, readiness, and public benefit.Apply for 693JJ319NF00001
- The DOT Federal Highway Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Automated Driving System (ADS) Demonstration Grants" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.200.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2018-12-21.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2019-03-21. (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 $10,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Others.
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Automated Driving System (ADS) Demonstration Grants - FAQs
What is the Automated Driving System (ADS) Demonstration Grants opportunity?
The ADS Demonstration Grants opportunity is a discretionary federal grant program from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), issued through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Office of Acquisition and Grants Management under a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). It is intended to fund applied, real-world work that tests and evaluates how automated driving systems can be safely integrated into the existing on-road transportation network.
What is the main purpose of this grant program?
The core purpose is demonstration and applied learning. The program supports projects that move beyond theory and show, under operational conditions, how ADS technologies interact with roads, traffic, and public agencies while maintaining safety. Results are meant to generate evidence that can inform future policy, standards, infrastructure planning, and operational practices for automated driving on public roads.
What kinds of activities or projects does the program support?
Based on the summary, the program supports planning efforts, direct research, and real-world demonstration projects focused on testing and evaluating safe ADS integration. The emphasis is on practical deployments and evaluation in real operating environments, including risk identification and learning about integration approaches.
How much total funding is USDOT intending to make available?
USDOT indicated an intent to make available up to $60,000,000 in total federal funding to support multiple demonstration projects.
What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount for an individual project?
The listed award ceiling is up to $10,000,000 for an individual award.
Why are awards potentially as large as $10 million?
The award ceiling reflects an expectation that selected projects may involve complex deployments, multi-agency coordination, and significant data collection and evaluation to understand ADS performance and safety in real-world conditions.
Who is eligible to apply as the lead applicant?
Eligibility is restricted to public-sector and similarly situated entities. Eligible lead applicants include:
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Federally recognized tribal governments
- Transit agencies and authorities
- Metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs)
- Public port authorities or districts
- Public academic institutions
- Public research institutions
Can a group of jurisdictions or agencies apply together?
Yes. A multi-jurisdictional group may apply as long as there is a single lead applicant submitting the application on behalf of the group. This aligns with deployments that span multiple localities or agencies.
Are private companies eligible to apply?
Private companies are explicitly not eligible to apply as the lead applicant. However, they may still participate in a project through the eligible public lead, such as as sub-recipients or subcontractors.
Are private universities eligible to apply as the lead applicant?
No. Private universities are explicitly not eligible to apply as the lead applicant. They may participate through an eligible public lead as sub-recipients or subcontractors.
How can private-sector organizations participate if they cannot lead?
The opportunity allows private-sector technology and expertise to be included through the public lead applicant. Private firms (and private universities) can be involved as sub-recipients or subcontractors while accountability and leadership remain with an eligible public or public-serving institution.
What federal agency is administering this opportunity?
The opportunity is issued by USDOT through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Office of Acquisition and Grants Management.
What is the grant mechanism or instrument type?
The instrument type is a grant, and the program is described as a discretionary federal grant program.
What is the CFDA number for this program?
The summary lists the CFDA number as 20.200.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is 693JJ319NF00001.
What were the key posted dates for this opportunity?
The creation date is listed as December 21, 2018, and the original application closing date is listed as March 21, 2019.
What is the authoritative source for detailed requirements and instructions?
The NOFO is referenced as the authoritative source for complete instructions, selection criteria, and application requirements. Applicants are expected to rely on the NOFO for specifics.
What types of requirements would be found in the NOFO rather than this summary?
According to the summary, details would be contained in the NOFO, including items such as required project elements, cost principles, reporting expectations, evaluation metrics, matching requirements (if any), and how USDOT intends to assess safety, readiness, and public benefit.
Is the program focused on theory, simulations, or real-world operations?
The summary emphasizes moving beyond theory and funding projects that can demonstrate, in operational conditions, how ADS technologies integrate with the existing on-road network while maintaining safety.
What outcomes is USDOT looking to achieve through funded demonstrations?
The summary indicates outcomes centered on applied learning: testing integration approaches, identifying risks, and generating evidence that can inform future policy, standards, infrastructure planning, and operational practices for automated driving on public roads.
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