The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), under the U.S. Department of Transportation, offers the FAA Aviation Research Grants Program to support long-term and short-term research needs in civil aviation and commercial space transportation. With statutory authority derived from Titles 49 USC 44511 and 44512, this program funds basic and applied research in science, engineering, human factors, and aviation medicine to ensure the continued growth, safety, efficiency, and modernization of the national airspace system. Administered through the William J. Hughes Technical Center, this program invites collaboration across academia and nonprofit research institutions with 501(c)(3) status.
The program supports innovative research proposals aligned with seven primary technical areas: Capacity and Air Traffic Control Technology, Communications/Navigation/Surveillance, Aviation Weather, Airports, Aircraft Safety Technology, Human Factors and Aviation Medicine, and Systems Science/Operations Research. Research must support FAA’s mission to improve aviation safety, reduce delays, and enhance airspace and airport capacity. Proposals must outline technical objectives, methodologies, relation to FAA goals, and broader impacts on aviation technology and infrastructure.
Eligible applicants include accredited colleges and universities, independent research labs, hospitals, and similar nonprofit institutions. Individuals are not eligible. While cost sharing is not required, it is encouraged as a factor that may influence award decisions. Proposals offering cost contributions through facilities, faculty release time, or in-kind support will receive consideration.
Applications must be submitted through Grants.gov and follow FAA Order 9550.7B. Required components include a project narrative, budget forms (SF-424 and Research & Related Budget), biosketches, abstracts, and forms related to lobbying, non-discrimination, and indirect costs. Optional pre-applications (white papers) are encouraged and must be submitted by email with a 3-page technical summary and estimated budget. Full applications must use Grants.gov templates and adhere to strict formatting rules.
The FAA evaluates proposals on four equally weighted criteria: intrinsic value of the research, relevance to FAA mission, technical soundness, and performance competence. Submissions are rated in categories A (meets criteria), B (meets with distinction), or C (strong in all areas). Funding decisions also consider equity in geographic distribution and participation by Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), including HBCUs and HSIs.
The Notice of Funding Opportunity is continuously open through September 7, 2027, with a recurring schedule for both white papers and applications from FY2021 through FY2027. Funding ranges from several thousand to several million dollars, with an expected ceiling of $6,000,000 per project. Awards may span 12 to 60 months. For technical inquiries, applicants should contact Monica Butler at monica.y.butler@faa.gov. Award notifications follow successful technical and administrative review, and selected projects are governed by FAA Order 9550.7B.
