FY 2025 Competitive Academic Agreement Program (CAAP)

The Pipeline Safety Research Competitive Academic Agreement Program (CAAP) for Fiscal Year 2025 is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). This grant opportunity supports academic research at nonprofit higher education institutions in the United States or its territories. The CAAP initiative was established under the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 and reauthorized by the PIPES Act of 2020, empowering PHMSA to fund research, development, and standardization efforts that enhance pipeline safety. This program also serves to cultivate the next generation of pipeline professionals by involving undergraduate, graduate, and PhD students in cutting-edge research. PHMSA will distribute up to $2 million through the FY 2025 CAAP program, with individual awards capped at $1 million and durations ranging from 12 to 36 months. Projects must address specific pipeline safety challenges under one of five designated research topics: vehicle strike risk assessment for aboveground pipelines, technology to mitigate human error, strain capacity modeling for vintage pipelines, non-metallic pipe inspection technology, and modeling for shrouding or obstruction in pressurized liquid releases. Proposals must include partnerships with industry and standards development organizations (SDOs), and involve testing, modeling, and cost evaluation. Eligibility is restricted to U.S.-based nonprofit higher education institutions. A minimum 20 percent cost-sharing commitment is required, and applications must demonstrate student involvement. Faculty and students must be U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or hold valid visas. All application materials, including required forms (SF-424, SF-424A, lobbying certifications, civil rights assurances), technical and budget narratives, and support letters, must be submitted via www.grants.gov. Applicants must also register on FedConnect and SAM.gov to be eligible. Applications must be well-structured, free from errors, and use the official PHMSA Technical Application Template. Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. EST on June 20, 2025. Questions must be submitted by June 13, 2025. Awards are expected in the fourth quarter of FY 2025. Evaluation criteria include alignment with PHMSA’s mission, feasibility, clarity, stakeholder engagement, and student involvement. PHMSA emphasizes measurable outcomes and potential for technology transfer or commercial application. Post-award requirements include regular progress and financial reporting, participation in annual events, and submission of a final research report and research brief. PHMSA will monitor progress, including student employment outcomes, and may require participation in program evaluation activities. Technical and procedural support is available through grants.gov and FedConnect. Program-specific inquiries should be directed to Nusnin Akter, CAAP Program Manager, at Nusnin.akter2@dot.gov or 839-273-0528. Award-related questions may be directed to Stephen Jones, Agreements Officer, at Stephen.Jones@dot.gov or 202-366-4059.

Use PHMSA’s Technical Application Template Ensure registration on all required platforms (SAM.gov, Grants.gov, FedConnect) Provide certification letters and clear cost-sharing commitments Align proposed research with one of the five specified topics