FY26 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (Rail Safety IDEA)
Agency: DOT - Federal Railroad Administration
Assistance Listings: 20.332 -- Railroad Research and Development
Last Updated: July 14, 2026
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
Eligible applicants
Miscellaneous
- Other
Additional information
The National Academy of Sciences is the only entity eligible to apply.
Grantor contact information
Description
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Documents
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Link to additional information
FY26 Rail Safety Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (Rail Safety IDEA)
Closing: July 20, 2026
No Explanation
Award
$500,000
Program Funding
1
Expected awards
$--
Award Minimum
$500,000
Award Maximum
Funding opportunity number:
FR-RRD-26-001
Cost sharing or matching requirement:
No
Funding instrument type:
Grant
Opportunity Category:
Discretionary
Opportunity Category Explanation:
--
Category of Funding Activity:
Transportation
Category Explanation:
--
History
Version:
1
Posted date:
July 14, 2026
Archive date:
August 19, 2026
