Opportunity Information: Apply for FR RRD 15 016
Apply for FR RRD 15 016
- The DOT/Federal Railroad Administration in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY15 Supplemental for Studies of Friction, Rolling Contact Fatigue and Wear in Rails and Wheels, NRC" 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 Jul 24, 2015 and posted on Jul 24, 2015.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 31, 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 $305,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
- Only the National Research Council Canada Center for Surface Transportation Technology is eligible to apply for this grant.
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Opportunity Summary:
The FY15 Supplemental for Studies of Friction, Rolling Contact Fatigue and Wear in Rails and Wheels, NRC (Funding Opportunity Number FR RRD 15 016) was a discretionary research and development funding opportunity issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), under CFDA 20.313 (Railroad Research and Development). The award was structured as a cooperative agreement, which typically signals that the federal agency expects to stay actively involved during the project rather than simply providing funds and receiving periodic reports. The maximum funding amount listed for the award was $305,000, with no stated minimum (award floor of $0). A cost sharing or matching requirement applied, meaning the recipient was expected to contribute non-federal resources in addition to the federal funds.
The core purpose of the supplemental funding was to continue work focused on wheel-rail interaction problems that directly affect safety, reliability, and maintenance costs in passenger and commuter rail operations. Specifically, the project aimed to continue coordinating an international collaborative research effort and to expand or maintain an "Atlas" of rail surface fatigue and wheel/rail studies. In practical terms, this kind of atlas is generally intended to serve as a structured, shared knowledge base that consolidates test results, field observations, and research findings related to friction management, rolling contact fatigue (RCF), and wear mechanisms in rails and wheels. The description also highlights work connected to Amtrak and other commuter railroads, indicating that the research coordination and data gathering were tied to real-world operating environments rather than being purely laboratory based.
The technical focus areas referenced in the title, friction, rolling contact fatigue, and wear, are closely linked in rail systems. Friction at the wheel-rail interface influences traction, braking, and steering, and it can also accelerate or mitigate damage depending on conditions. Rolling contact fatigue involves the initiation and growth of cracks due to repeated wheel loading, which can lead to surface defects and, in severe cases, rail breaks if not managed. Wear is the material loss from rails and wheels, which can be beneficial in some circumstances (for example, removing shallow cracks) but costly or harmful when excessive. By supporting continued coordination and compilation of studies, the FRA was effectively funding efforts that help rail operators and researchers compare conditions across different systems, identify patterns in defect development, and improve maintenance and mitigation strategies based on shared evidence.
Eligibility for this opportunity was tightly restricted. Only the National Research Council Canada (NRC), specifically the NRC Canada Center for Surface Transportation Technology, was eligible to apply. This indicates the supplemental funding was intended as a continuation or extension of an existing partnership or ongoing work stream where the NRC center already had a defined role, established infrastructure, or unique expertise relevant to wheel/rail surface damage research and international coordination.
Administratively, the opportunity was posted on July 24, 2015, with an application deadline of July 31, 2015, and it was later archived on August 30, 2015. The short open period aligns with the idea that this was a targeted supplemental action rather than a broadly competed program. Applicants needing access assistance were directed to the GrantSolutions Help Desk, with phone and email contact information provided for technical support.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is titled "The FY15 Supplemental for Studies of Friction, Rolling Contact Fatigue and Wear in Rails and Wheels, NRC."
What is the Funding Opportunity Number (FON)?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FR RRD 15 016.
Which federal agency issued this opportunity?
This was issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
What program or CFDA listing does this fall under?
It was issued under CFDA 20.313, Railroad Research and Development.
What type of award was used?
The award was structured as a cooperative agreement.
What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?
A cooperative agreement typically indicates the federal agency expects to remain actively involved in the project during performance, rather than only providing funds and receiving periodic reports.
How much funding was available?
The maximum funding amount listed was $305,000.
Was there a minimum award amount?
No minimum was stated. The award floor was listed as $0.
Was cost sharing or matching required?
Yes. A cost sharing or matching requirement applied, meaning the recipient was expected to contribute non-federal resources in addition to federal funds.
What was the main purpose of the supplemental funding?
The purpose was to continue work focused on wheel-rail interaction problems that affect safety, reliability, and maintenance costs in passenger and commuter rail operations.
What technical topics did the project focus on?
The technical focus areas were friction, rolling contact fatigue (RCF), and wear in rails and wheels.
Why are friction, rolling contact fatigue, and wear important in rail operations?
These factors are closely linked at the wheel-rail interface. Friction affects traction, braking, and steering and can either accelerate or reduce damage depending on conditions. Rolling contact fatigue involves crack initiation and growth under repeated loading and can lead to surface defects and, in severe cases, rail breaks if unmanaged. Wear is material loss that can sometimes help remove shallow cracks but can become harmful or costly when excessive.
What work was the funding intended to continue?
It was intended to continue coordinating an international collaborative research effort and to expand or maintain an "Atlas" of rail surface fatigue and wheel/rail studies.
What is the "Atlas" referenced in the opportunity description?
The Atlas is described as a structured, shared knowledge base intended to consolidate test results, field observations, and research findings related to friction management, rolling contact fatigue, and wear mechanisms in rails and wheels.
Was the effort connected to real-world rail operations or only lab research?
The description highlights work connected to Amtrak and other commuter railroads, indicating that research coordination and data gathering were tied to real-world operating environments, not purely laboratory-based work.
How does this work support rail safety and maintenance?
By coordinating and compiling studies across systems, the work helps operators and researchers compare conditions, identify patterns in defect development, and improve maintenance and mitigation strategies based on shared evidence.
Who was eligible to apply?
Eligibility was tightly restricted. Only the National Research Council Canada (NRC), specifically the NRC Canada Center for Surface Transportation Technology, was eligible to apply.
Could other organizations apply or participate as applicants?
Based on the opportunity description, no. The applicant eligibility was restricted to the NRC Canada Center for Surface Transportation Technology.
Why was eligibility limited to the National Research Council Canada (NRC)?
The description indicates this was a targeted supplemental action intended to continue or extend an existing partnership or ongoing work stream in which the NRC center already had a defined role, established infrastructure, or unique expertise relevant to wheel/rail surface damage research and international coordination.
When was the opportunity posted?
It was posted on July 24, 2015.
What was the application deadline?
The application deadline was July 31, 2015.
When was the opportunity archived?
It was archived on August 30, 2015.
What does the short application window suggest about this opportunity?
The short open period aligns with the description of this being a targeted supplemental funding action rather than a broadly competed program.
Where could applicants get technical help with access or the application system?
Applicants needing access assistance were directed to the GrantSolutions Help Desk, using the phone and email contact information provided in the opportunity posting for technical support.
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