Opportunity Information: Apply for FR RRD 15 004
Apply for FR RRD 15 004
- The DOT/Federal Railroad Administration in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY 2015 Wireless Communication for Digital Train Line on Trains" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.313 Railroad Research and Development.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 3, 2015 and posted on Mar 3, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Mar 20, 2015 No Explanation. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Only Board of Regents, Univ of Nebraska, University of Nebraska Lincoln is eliigible to apply.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The FY 2015 Wireless Communication for Digital Train Line on Trains grant (Funding Opportunity Number FR RRD 15 004) was a discretionary research and development funding opportunity from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) under CFDA 20.313, Railroad Research and Development. It focused on science and technology research aimed at modernizing the "trainline" communications backbone used on trains, specifically by studying a Wireless Digital Trainline (WiDTL) concept that could replace or augment traditional wired, analog trainline systems used for passenger and freight operations.
At its core, the opportunity sought a technical feasibility study of wireless interconnect approaches for passenger trainline signaling and communication. The FRA's intent was to determine whether a wireless trainline could meet or exceed the real-world railroad requirements currently satisfied by analog trainlines, especially in areas that railroads care about most: robustness (reliability in harsh environments and during complex operations), manageability (configuration, diagnostics, maintenance, and operational control), and performance (latency, throughput, interference tolerance, and consistent behavior under load). The work was expected to go beyond a general literature review by actively identifying and evaluating existing and emerging wireless technologies that could realistically support trainline operations, and by using comprehensive modeling and computer simulations to predict performance and operational suitability.
The funding instrument was a grant, with an award ceiling of $200,000 and no stated award floor. There was no cost sharing or matching requirement, which meant the applicant was not required to provide non-federal funds as a condition of award. The opportunity was posted on March 3, 2015, and closed on March 20, 2015, with the archive date listed as April 19, 2015, indicating it was a time-limited solicitation that has since expired.
Eligibility was extremely limited: only the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska (University of Nebraska Lincoln) was eligible to apply, as explicitly stated in the eligibility information. In other words, this was not an open competition to the broader research community; it functioned more like a targeted award aimed at a specific institution to conduct a defined line of study aligned with FRA's research priorities.
For access issues related to the full announcement, the contact provided was the GrantSolutions Help Desk, including phone numbers (1-866-577-0771 or 202-401-5282) and the email help@grantsolutions.gov, with support hours listed as Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern. The listing also referenced an additional information link titled "FY 2015 Wireless Communication for Digital Train Line on Trains," which would have contained the complete announcement details when active.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this grant opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "FY 2015 Wireless Communication for Digital Train Line on Trains" and it was released as a discretionary research and development grant by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number (FON) is FR RRD 15 004.
Which federal agency offered this grant?
The grant was offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
What CFDA program was this opportunity under?
This opportunity was under CFDA 20.313, Railroad Research and Development.
What was the main purpose of the grant?
The main purpose was to support a technical feasibility study focused on modernizing the trainline communications backbone used on trains by studying a Wireless Digital Trainline (WiDTL) concept that could replace or augment traditional wired, analog trainline systems used in passenger and freight operations.
What is a "Wireless Digital Trainline (WiDTL)" in the context of this opportunity?
In this opportunity, WiDTL refers to a concept for using wireless communication as the trainline interconnect for signaling and communication functions that have traditionally relied on wired, analog trainline systems across train consists.
What kind of work did FRA want funded (research scope)?
The FRA sought a science and technology research effort centered on a technical feasibility study of wireless interconnect approaches for passenger trainline signaling and communication, including identifying and evaluating existing and emerging wireless technologies that could realistically support trainline operations.
Was this intended to be only a literature review?
No. The description indicates the work was expected to go beyond a general literature review by actively identifying and evaluating wireless technology options and using comprehensive modeling and computer simulations to predict performance and operational suitability.
What factors were emphasized as most important for meeting real-world railroad requirements?
The opportunity highlighted three key areas: robustness (reliable operation in harsh environments and complex operations), manageability (configuration, diagnostics, maintenance, and operational control), and performance (latency, throughput, interference tolerance, and consistent behavior under load).
What performance aspects were specifically called out?
Performance considerations specifically mentioned include latency, throughput, interference tolerance, and consistent behavior under load.
What methods or tools were expected to be used in the study?
The provided description explicitly mentions comprehensive modeling and computer simulations as expected approaches for predicting performance and operational suitability.
What was the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument was a grant.
What was the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling was $200,000.
Was there a minimum award amount (award floor)?
No award floor was stated in the information provided.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
No. There was no cost sharing or matching requirement, meaning the applicant was not required to provide non-federal funds as a condition of award.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was extremely limited. Only the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska (University of Nebraska Lincoln) was eligible to apply, as explicitly stated in the eligibility information.
Was this an open competition?
No. Based on the eligibility restriction, it was not an open competition to the broader research community. It functioned as a targeted opportunity aimed at a specific institution to conduct a defined line of study aligned with FRA research priorities.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted on March 3, 2015.
What was the application deadline?
The opportunity closed on March 20, 2015.
Is this opportunity still active?
No. The archive date was listed as April 19, 2015, indicating it was a time-limited solicitation that has since expired.
Where could applicants find the full announcement details (when it was active)?
The listing referenced an additional information link titled "FY 2015 Wireless Communication for Digital Train Line on Trains," which would have contained the complete announcement details when active.
Who should be contacted for access issues related to the full announcement?
For access issues, the contact listed was the GrantSolutions Help Desk.
What are the GrantSolutions Help Desk contact details provided?
Phone: 1-866-577-0771 or 202-401-5282
Email: help@grantsolutions.gov
What were the GrantSolutions Help Desk support hours?
Support hours were listed as Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern.
What railroad operations were referenced as relevant to the trainline modernization effort?
The opportunity referenced both passenger and freight operations as contexts where traditional wired, analog trainline systems are used, and where a wireless alternative could potentially replace or augment existing approaches.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Aquatic Invasive Species Grants to Great Lakes States Fiscal Year 2015 Great Lakes Restoration Initiative
Previous opportunity: ROSES 2015 Exoplanets Research
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for FR RRD 15 004
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (FR RRD 15 004) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| DoD Breast Cancer Breakthrough Award Levels 1 and 2 Apply for W81XWH 15 BCRP BREAKTHROUGH FL12 Funding Number: W81XWH 15 BCRP BREAKTHROUGH FL12 Agency: Dept. of the Army USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Breast Cancer Breakthrough Award Levels 3 and 4 Apply for W81XWH 15 BCRP BREAKTHROUGH FL34 Funding Number: W81XWH 15 BCRP BREAKTHROUGH FL34 Agency: Dept. of the Army USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Breast Cancer Innovator Award Apply for W81XWH 15 BCRP INNOV Funding Number: W81XWH 15 BCRP INNOV Agency: Dept. of the Army USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Breast Cancer Era of Hope Scholar Award Apply for W81XWH 15 BCRP EOHS Funding Number: W81XWH 15 BCRP EOHS Agency: Dept. of the Army USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Breast Cancer Distinguished Investigator Award Apply for W81XWH 15 BCRP DIA Funding Number: W81XWH 15 BCRP DIA Agency: Dept. of the Army USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD FY15 Bone Marrow Failure Research Program Idea Development Award Apply for W81XWH 15 BMFRP IDA Funding Number: W81XWH 15 BMFRP IDA Agency: Dept. of the Army USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ROSES 2015 Astrophysics Data Analysis Program Apply for NNH15ZDA001N ADAP Funding Number: NNH15ZDA001N ADAP Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ROSES 2015 KORUS AQ An International Cooperative Air Quality Field Study in Korea Apply for NNH15ZDA001N KORUS Funding Number: NNH15ZDA001N KORUS Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| NASA INNOVATIVE ADVANCED CONCEPTS NIAC PHASE II Apply for NNH15ZOA001N 15NIAC A2 Funding Number: NNH15ZOA001N 15NIAC A2 Agency: NASA Langley Research Center Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Basic Metapopulation Viability Analysis (MVA) for the Tidewater goby Apply for F15AS00095 Funding Number: F15AS00095 Agency: Fish and Wildlife Service Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| USAID/HAITI INCREASING WOMEN S POLITICAL PARTICIPATION BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT Apply for BAA 521 DG 2015 01 Funding Number: BAA 521 DG 2015 01 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Presidential Awards for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring Apply for 15 551 Funding Number: 15 551 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program Apply for 15 552 Funding Number: 15 552 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $9,000,000 |
| Arch Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Awards Apply for 15 554 Funding Number: 15 554 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY 2015 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Apply for 2015 NIST SBIR 01 Funding Number: 2015 NIST SBIR 01 Agency: National Institute of Standards and Technology Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| FY15 DoD Joint En Route Care Training System of Systems Initiative Hand Offs, Patient Transfers, and Systems Interoperability Apply for W81XWH 15 DMRDP JPC1 JROUTE Funding Number: W81XWH 15 DMRDP JPC1 JROUTE Agency: Dept. of the Army USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ROSES 2015 IceBridge Observations Apply for NNH15ZDA001N ICEB Funding Number: NNH15ZDA001N ICEB Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Award Competitions for Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Centers in the States of Alaska, Idaho, Illinois, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Utah, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin Apply for 2015 NIST MEP 01 Funding Number: 2015 NIST MEP 01 Agency: National Institute of Standards and Technology Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| ROSES 2015 Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) Science Team Apply for NNH15ZDA001N SWOT Funding Number: NNH15ZDA001N SWOT Agency: NASA Headquarters Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Faculty Early Career Development Program Apply for 15 555 Funding Number: 15 555 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "FR RRD 15 004", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.