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SECTION 2. GRANT PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

20. GENERAL. Public Laws 101-508 and 101-604 authorize three separate grant programs. Although there are similarities and differences contained in each program, they have been integrated into the Research Grants Program and a unified process, as established in this order, will be applicable to the solicitation, review, selection, and administration of all research grants. Proposals for education, training, or airport development are not supported under this program. These proposals are under the jurisdiction of the Airways Science and the Airport Grants Programs resident at FAA headquarters in Washington, DC. Additionally, the FAA does not support technical assistance, pilot plant efforts, research requiring security classification (with the exception of aviation security projects), the development of products for commercial marketing, or market research for a particular product or invention under this program. The following paragraphs describe the characteristics of each program as contained in the statutes.

21. AVIATION RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAM (PUBLIC LAW 101-508, SECTION 9205). Grants under this program are to be awarded for the conduct of research for the long-term growth of civil aviation. Research topics may include, but are not restricted to, air traffic control automation, aviation applications of artificial intelligence, aviation training technologies and techniques, human factors in highly automated environments, and aircraft safety.

a.

Recipients. Grants may be made to colleges, universities, and nonprofit research organizations.

b.

Selection Criteria. A solicitation, review, and evaluation process is required that ensures the proposals have adequate merit and relevancy to the FAA mission. Consideration must be given to ensure an equitable geographic distribution of grant funds and inclusion of historically black colleges and universities and other minority institutions.

22. CATASTROPHIC FAILURE PREVENTION RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAM (PUBLIC LAW 101-508, SECTION 9208). Grants under this program are to be awarded for the conduct of research relating to the development of technologies and methods to assess the risk and prevent defects, failures, and malfunctions of products, parts, processes, and articles manufactured for use in aircraft, aircraft engines, propellers, and appliances which could result in a catastrophic failure of an aircraft. This program also contains authority for the establishment of Centers of Excellence (described in section 3 of this chapter).

Recipients. Grants may be awarded to colleges, universities, and nonprofit research organizations.

a.

b. Selection Criteria. A solicitation, review, and evaluation is required that ensures adequate merit and relevance to research in catastrophic failure prevention.

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23.

AVIATION SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM (PUBLIC LAW 101-604. SECTION 107). Grants under this program are to be awarded for the conduct of research, development, and implementation of technologies and procedures to counteract terrorist acts against civil aviation.

a.

Recipients. Grants may be awarded to colleges, universities, and other appropriate research institutions and facilities with demonstrated ability to conduct research in technologies and procedures to counteract terrorist acts against civil aviation. The FAA may also enter into cooperative agreements with such governmental entities as considered appropriate by the FAA.

the FAA.

b. Selection Criteria. Terms and conditions are to be prescribed by

C.

Authorization of Appropriations. Such sums, as may be necessary for the purpose of carrying out the established grant program, are authorized to be appropriated from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund after completion of the required security threat review.

d. Scientific Advisory Panel, a subcommittee of the Research, Engineering, and Development (RE&D) Advisory Committee, shall be established for the purpose of reviewing, commenting on, and advising the Administrator of the progress of, or any necessary modifications to the programs established under the Aviation Security Grants Program. The RE&D Advisory Committee is a body of up to 30 individuals, appointed by the Administrator and mandated by the Aviation Security Improvement Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-604), who provide advice and recommendations to the Administrator regarding the needs, objectives, plans, approaches, contents, and accomplishments with respect to the research programs.

24.-29. RESERVED.

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30.

SECTION 3. CENTER OF EXCELLENCE PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS

GENERAL. Public Law 101-508 establishes two programs for Centers of Excellence. This section describes the characteristics of the programs.

31.

CATASTROPHIC FAILURE PREVENTION CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE (PUBLIC LAW 101-508, SECTION 9208). Centers of Excellence for research in catastrophic failure prevention are to be established in those institutions eligible for grants under the Catastrophic Failure Prevention Grant Program (paragraph 22) for the purpose of continuing research in the identified area.

32.

AVIATION RESEARCH CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE (PUBLIC LAW 101-508, SECTION 9209). Centers of Excellence established under this program are to be responsible for the conduct of research concerning airspace and airport planning and design, airport capacity enhancement techniques, human performance in the air transportation environment, aviation safety and security, the supply of trained air transportation personnel including pilots and mechanics, and other aviation issues pertinent to developing and maintaining a safe and efficient air transportation system, and the interpretation, publication, and dissemination of the results of such research.

Recipients. Centers of Excellence are to be established with colleges and universities.

a.

b.

Selection Criteria.

Centers of Excellence will be established on

the basis of the following criteria.

(1) The extent to which the needs of the state in which the applicant is located are representative of the needs of the region for improved air transportation services and facilities.

(2) The demonstrated research and extension resources available

to the applicant for carrying out this program.

(3) The capability of the applicant to provide leadership in making national and regional contributions to the solution of both long-range and immediate air transportation problems.

(4) The extent to which the applicant has an established air transportation program.

(5) The demonstrated ability of the applicant to disseminate results of air transportation research and educational programs through a state-wide or region-wide continuing education program.

the grant.

c.

(6) The projects which the applicant proposes to carry out under

Geographic Location. Locations of such centers shall be

geographically equitable.

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d. The Research, Engineering, and Development Advisory Committee shall review the research and training to be carried out by the Centers of Excellence.

e. Other Special Considerations. Centers of Excellence are each expected to maintain their levels of spending on aviation research programs during the previous 2 years; the Federal share of the grant will be 50 percent of the costs of establishing and operating the Center of Excellence and the research activities carried out by the grant recipient.

33.-199. RESERVED.

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CHAPTER 2. FAA PROGRAM RESPONSIBILITIES

SECTION 1. OVERSIGHT STRUCTURE

200. GENERAL. This section establishes the oversight structure for the Research Grants Program and prescribes the associated functions (see figure 2-1, page 77). Oversight will be provided by one entity acting on behalf of the agency to ensure that program execution is in compliance with relevant laws, regulations, and policies; to minimize or eliminate the potential for waste, loss, misappropriation, etc.; and to ensure program objectives are effectively carried out. The oversight structure will approve discretionarily funded research grants (funding for discretionary research will not be available until fiscal year 1993). Program officials may approve program funded research grants.

a.

The Research, Engineering, and Development (RE&D) Advisory Committee shall review the research and training to be carried out by the Centers of Excellence.

b. A Scientific Advisory Panel, a subcommittee of the RE&D Advisory Committee will be established to review, comment on, and advise the Administrator on the progress of, and any necessary modifications to, the grant programs established under the Aviation Security Improvement Act of 1990 (Public Law 101-604).

202. THE EXECUTIVE RESEARCH COMMITTEE. This order establishes the Executive Research Committee. This committee is chaired by the Executive Director for System Development, and consists of all Executive Directors. Additional members include the Associate Administrators for Aviation Standards, Regulation and Certification, National Airspace System Development, System Engineering and Development, Airway Facilities and Air Traffic; the Assistant Administrators for Aviation Security and Airports; the Directors of the Technical Center and of the Office of System Capacity and Requirements; and ad-hoc members. Only FAA employees may attend Executive Research Committee meetings.

(1) Develops and recommends grants policy to the chairperson. (2) Advises the chairperson regarding long-term agency grant research goals.

(3) Recommends awards for discretionary research grants.

(4) Reviews and recommends Centers of Excellence based on information provided by the Office of Research and Technology Applications.

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