Opportunity Information: Apply for FR RRD 21 002
The FY21 Short Line Safety Institute Program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), and funded through a specific Congressional appropriation. The purpose of the funding is to support the work of the Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization focused on improving safety outcomes across the short line and regional railroad sector. The Institute operates with an emphasis on voluntary, non-punitive collaboration, aiming to strengthen both day-to-day safety practices and the broader industry mindset and commitment around safety.
At its core, the program is designed to advance the Institute's mission of providing leadership that enhances safety culture and safety performance for short line and regional railroads. The grant supports activities that encourage railroads to engage constructively in safety improvement without fear of punishment, which is intended to promote openness, learning, and practical change. The Institute's strategic goals under this program are twofold: first, to enhance and improve safety practices across participating railroads, and second, to increase the industry's overall culture of commitment to safety, meaning improvements not just in procedures but also in attitudes, leadership engagement, and organizational behaviors that influence safe operations.
The Institute plans to pursue these goals through what it describes as four pillars of work. These pillars include safety culture assessments, which generally involve evaluating how an organization thinks about and manages safety, including leadership practices, reporting behaviors, and workforce engagement. The education and training pillar focuses on developing and delivering learning opportunities that help short line and regional railroads build the knowledge and skills needed to reduce risk and improve operational safety. The research pillar supports the identification and analysis of safety issues affecting the short line and regional rail environment, helping inform evidence-based strategies and improvements. Finally, the communications pillar centers on sharing lessons learned, best practices, and safety messaging across the industry, reinforcing consistent expectations and encouraging broader adoption of effective safety approaches.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity is listed under Funding Opportunity Number FR RRD 21 002 and is categorized as a grant within the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity area, under CFDA number 20.313. The posting date is May 7, 2021, with an original closing date of May 14, 2021, indicating a short application window consistent with a targeted, appropriated award. The program anticipates making a single award, with an award ceiling of $2,400,000, which reflects the intent to fund the Institute as the primary recipient rather than distribute funds across multiple entities. Eligibility is noted as "Others," with further clarification typically provided in the full eligibility text, but the description makes clear the appropriation is intended to fund the Short Line Safety Institute specifically.Apply for FR RRD 21 002
- The Department of Transportation, DOT - Federal Railroad Administration in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "FY21 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 May 07, 2021.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 14, 2021 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 $2,400,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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FY21 Short Line Safety Institute Program (FRA) - FAQs
What is the FY21 Short Line Safety Institute Program?
The FY21 Short Line Safety Institute Program is a discretionary federal grant opportunity administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). It is funded through a specific Congressional appropriation to support the work of the Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI).
Which federal agency administers this grant?
The grant is administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
How is this program funded?
This program is funded through a specific Congressional appropriation, which signals that the funding is targeted for the purposes described in the opportunity.
What is the purpose of this funding?
The purpose is to support the work of the Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization focused on improving safety outcomes across the short line and regional railroad sector.
Who is the Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI)?
SLSI is a nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) that focuses on improving safety outcomes for short line and regional railroads. Its work emphasizes voluntary, non-punitive collaboration to strengthen day-to-day safety practices and the broader safety mindset across the industry.
What does "voluntary, non-punitive collaboration" mean in this program context?
Based on the opportunity description, the Institute encourages railroads to engage in safety improvement without fear of punishment. The intent is to promote openness, learning, and practical change by making participation constructive rather than punitive.
What is the program trying to improve?
The program is designed to enhance both safety practices and safety culture for short line and regional railroads. That includes improvements in procedures as well as the attitudes, leadership engagement, and organizational behaviors that influence safe operations.
What are the main strategic goals supported by this grant?
The opportunity describes two strategic goals: (1) enhance and improve safety practices across participating railroads, and (2) increase the industry's overall culture of commitment to safety.
How does the Institute plan to achieve these goals?
The Institute plans to pursue its goals through four pillars of work: safety culture assessments, education and training, research, and communications.
What are "safety culture assessments" under the program?
Safety culture assessments generally involve evaluating how an organization thinks about and manages safety. The description highlights areas such as leadership practices, reporting behaviors, and workforce engagement.
What kinds of activities fall under the education and training pillar?
The education and training pillar focuses on developing and delivering learning opportunities to help short line and regional railroads build knowledge and skills to reduce risk and improve operational safety.
What is included in the research pillar?
The research pillar supports identifying and analyzing safety issues affecting the short line and regional rail environment to inform evidence-based strategies and improvements.
What is the communications pillar intended to do?
The communications pillar centers on sharing lessons learned, best practices, and safety messaging across the industry, reinforcing consistent expectations and encouraging broader adoption of effective safety approaches.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this grant?
The Funding Opportunity Number is FR RRD 21 002.
What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The opportunity is listed under CFDA number 20.313.
How is this opportunity categorized by activity area?
It is categorized as a grant within the "Science and Technology and other Research and Development" activity area.
When was this funding opportunity posted?
The posting date is May 7, 2021.
What was the original closing date to apply?
The original closing date was May 14, 2021.
How long was the application window?
Based on the posting date (May 7, 2021) and closing date (May 14, 2021), the application window was very short and consistent with a targeted, appropriated award.
How many awards does the program anticipate making?
The program anticipates making a single award.
What is the maximum (ceiling) award amount?
The award ceiling is $2,400,000.
Does the opportunity suggest the funding will be split among multiple recipients?
No. The opportunity anticipates a single award, and the description indicates the intent is to fund the Short Line Safety Institute as the primary recipient rather than distribute funds across multiple entities.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is noted as "Others." The description further indicates that the Congressional appropriation is intended to fund the Short Line Safety Institute specifically, with additional clarification typically provided in the full eligibility text.
Is this grant intended for organizations other than SLSI?
Based on the description provided, the appropriation is intended to fund the Short Line Safety Institute specifically, and the program anticipates making a single award, which aligns with a targeted recipient rather than a broad competition.
What sector does this program primarily serve?
The program is focused on improving safety outcomes across the short line and regional railroad sector.
What is the overall mission advanced by this program?
The program advances the Institute's mission of providing leadership that enhances safety culture and safety performance for short line and regional railroads.
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