FTA Broad Agency Announcement (FY26) -- “Research Initiatives in Support of Safety, Accessibility, and Mobility in Public Transportation

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) seeks applied research projects that improve safety, reliability, efficiency, accessibility, and mobility of public transportation in the United States. Eligible offerors may submit concept papers (≤ 5 pages plus a quad‑chart) responding to any of the listed research topics (e.g., rural mobility archetypes, autonomous vehicle accessibility, urban rail safety technologies). Awards are anticipated at $150,000–$500,000 per project, with a focus on technology readiness levels 3–6, especially proof‑of‑concept testing. The solicitation is unrestricted; any responsible source (except federal‑owned entities) may apply, and teaming is encouraged. • Focus on applied research for transit safety, reliability, and accessibility. • Target TRL 3‑6, preference for proof‑of‑concept (TRL 3). • Funding per award typically $150‑500 k; cost‑sharing preferred but not mandatory. • Concept‑paper deadline Oct 30 2026 23:59 ET; subsequent full‑proposal invitation to selected concepts.