E-Grants Have Arrived at the Technical Center

By Barbara Fuller

The Federal Financial Assistance Management Improvement Act became law in 1999. The purposes of the Act are to (1) improve the effectiveness and performance of Federal financial assistance programs, (2) simplify Federal financial assistance application and reporting requirements, (3) improve the delivery of services to the public, and (4) facilitate greater coordination among those responsible for delivering services. To expand this initiative, President George W. Bush developed a Management Agenda that had a goal of expanding electronic Government. Consequently, a web-based portal was created called Grants.Gov.

As part of this effort, the FAA Aviation Research Grants Program has developed an E-Grants initiative. Those wishing to participate in the FAA Grants Program may go to http://www.grants.gov and submit their proposals for grants and cooperative agreements electronically. They can also obtain information about what grant opportunities are available at this site. The site informs proposers how to “get started” and how to navigate through the process. This system eliminates the need to prepare and send hard copy proposals through the mail. However, mailed proposals will still be accepted until everyone becomes familiar with the site.

As we all know, the FAA mission is to ensure the safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace in the United States; to regulate air commerce in such a manner as to best promote its development and safety; to promote a common system of air traffic control and navigation for both military and civil aircraft; and to promote, encourage, and develop civil aeronautics. This mission is further explained in the FAA Flight Plan for 2005-2009, which contains FAA strategic goals and the Next Generation Air Transportation System Integrated Plan, coordinated by the Joint Planning and Development Office (JPDO), a joint effort by the FAA, NASA, the Departments of Defense, Commerce, Homeland Security, and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

The FAA Aviation Research Grants Program is one means by which the FAA supports this mission. Research grants and cooperative agreements, which range from several thousand to several million dollars, support aviation-related research in topics with the potential to gain further knowledge in emerging aviation technologies.