Opportunity Information: Apply for FR RRD 25 001
The FY25 Short Line Safety Institute Program (Funding Opportunity Number FR RRD 25 001) is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), funded through a specific Congressional appropriation. The purpose of the funding is to support the work of the Short Line Safety Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on strengthening safety culture and improving safety performance across the short line and regional railroad sector. The Institute operates through a voluntary, non-punitive partnership model, meaning it is designed to help railroads improve safety without positioning the effort as an enforcement or penalty-driven initiative.
The program is centered on the Institute's stated mission to provide leadership that advances safety culture and safety outcomes for short line and regional railroads. In practical terms, the grant supports activities meant to elevate day-to-day safety practices and deepen industry-wide commitment to safety as an organizational value, not just a compliance requirement. The Institute's work under this funding is framed around four main pillars: safety culture assessments, education and training, research, and communications. Safety culture assessments typically involve evaluating organizational behaviors, leadership practices, and operational norms that influence safety performance. Education and training efforts are intended to build skills and awareness among railroad personnel and leadership. Research supports the identification of risks, trends, and effective interventions relevant to short line and regional operations. Communications focuses on sharing lessons learned, promoting best practices, and reinforcing consistent safety messaging across the industry.
This funding opportunity is unique in that eligibility is restricted to a single applicant. Only the Short Line Safety Institute is eligible to apply, and the listing reflects that the government expects to make one award. The opportunity is categorized under Transportation and is associated with CFDA number 20.313. The award ceiling is $2,500,000, indicating the maximum award amount available under this notice.
Key administrative details include a creation date of July 16, 2025, and an application closing date of August 8, 2025. The funding instrument type is a grant, and the opportunity is labeled as discretionary, although the Congressional appropriation and sole-eligible-applicant structure effectively make it a directed funding action intended to resource the Institute's ongoing safety culture and safety improvement programming for the short line and regional railroad community.Apply for FR RRD 25 001
- The DOT - Federal Railroad Administration in the transportation sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY25 Short Line Safety Institute Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 20.313.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2025-07-16.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-08-08. (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 $2,500,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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FY25 Short Line Safety Institute Program (FR RRD 25 001) - Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is the FY25 Short Line Safety Institute Program?
The FY25 Short Line Safety Institute Program is a discretionary grant opportunity issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). It provides funding to support the work of the Short Line Safety Institute in improving safety culture and safety performance across the short line and regional railroad sector.
2) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FR RRD 25 001.
3) Which federal agency is offering this funding?
This opportunity is offered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
4) Is this a formula grant or a discretionary grant?
This opportunity is identified as a discretionary grant. It is also funded through a specific Congressional appropriation, and it is structured as a sole-eligible-applicant opportunity.
5) What is the source of funding for this opportunity?
The funding is provided through a specific Congressional appropriation.
6) What is the purpose of the grant?
The purpose of the funding is to support the work of the Short Line Safety Institute, a nonprofit organization focused on strengthening safety culture and improving safety performance across the short line and regional railroad sector.
7) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is restricted to a single applicant. Only the Short Line Safety Institute is eligible to apply for this opportunity.
8) Does the government expect to make more than one award?
No. The listing reflects that the government expects to make one award.
9) What type of organization is the Short Line Safety Institute?
The Short Line Safety Institute is described as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
10) What is the Institute's operating model for this program?
The Institute operates through a voluntary, non-punitive partnership model. The effort is designed to help railroads improve safety without positioning the work as an enforcement or penalty-driven initiative.
11) What is the program's overall mission focus?
The program is centered on the Institute's stated mission to provide leadership that advances safety culture and safety outcomes for short line and regional railroads.
12) What kinds of activities does the grant support?
The grant supports activities intended to elevate day-to-day safety practices and deepen industry-wide commitment to safety as an organizational value, not only a compliance requirement.
13) What are the four main pillars of work supported by this funding?
The Institute's work under this funding is framed around four pillars:
- Safety culture assessments
- Education and training
- Research
- Communications
14) What are safety culture assessments in this context?
Safety culture assessments typically involve evaluating organizational behaviors, leadership practices, and operational norms that influence safety performance.
15) What does "education and training" mean for this program?
Education and training efforts are intended to build skills and awareness among railroad personnel and leadership.
16) What is meant by "research" under this program?
Research supports the identification of risks, trends, and effective interventions relevant to short line and regional railroad operations.
17) What is included in the "communications" pillar?
Communications focuses on sharing lessons learned, promoting best practices, and reinforcing consistent safety messaging across the short line and regional railroad industry.
18) What category is this funding opportunity listed under?
The opportunity is categorized under Transportation.
19) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is associated with CFDA number 20.313.
20) What is the maximum award amount available?
The award ceiling is $2,500,000, which indicates the maximum award amount available under this notice.
21) What is the funding instrument type?
The funding instrument type is a grant.
22) When was this opportunity created?
The creation date listed for this opportunity is July 16, 2025.
23) What is the application closing date?
The application closing date is August 8, 2025.
24) Why is this opportunity described as "unique"?
It is unique because eligibility is restricted to a single applicant (the Short Line Safety Institute) and the government expects to make one award. While it is labeled discretionary, the sole-eligible-applicant structure and Congressional appropriation make it a directed funding action to resource the Institute's ongoing safety programming for short line and regional railroads.
25) Is this grant intended to function as an enforcement program?
No. The program is described as voluntary and non-punitive, and it is designed to support safety improvement without being positioned as enforcement or penalty-driven.
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