University Partnership Program

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The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of International Transportation & Trade seeks proposals from qualified applicants to enter into a cooperative agreement with the Department to support collaboration between and among American and Southeast Asia university educators and students within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region as part of the U.S.-ASEAN Smart Cities Partnership (USASCP) Transportation Program and Mekong-U.S. Partnership (MUSP)’s Regional Connectivity Program in a University Partnership Program (UPP). This opportunity is available to organizations with established relationships with universities in the ASEAN and US region that can demonstrate their ability to identify, launch and manage collaborative working arrangements between academic and government stakeholders both in the United States and ASEAN region. Additional consideration will be given to entities able to show expertise in areas of interest: USASCP City Pairs: user-centered design of mobility solutions, integration of various mobility options, and data-informed planning and sidewalk and street redesigns to promote the safe, efficient movement of people, and other related topics. Mekong Regional Connectivity Program: multimodal connectivity; governance, transparency, and high standards; climate resilience; gender, social inclusion, and equity; safety; performance-based planning; sustainable financing; border crossings; and asset management. The UPP Program’s intended impacts are to: Support the success of the USASCP City Pair work plans by developing partnership opportunities whereby university students in the ASEAN region are empowered to take on meaningful work that both benefits their academic advancement and the goals of the city pairs and/or Mekong Regional Connectivity Program. Collaborate with ASEAN universities and related stakeholders (local governments, etc.) to support knowledge transfer activities that build local capacity to take on activities similar to those identified in the USASCP Work Plans and Mekong Regional Connectivity Program. Support a shared knowledge base across the ASEAN community that reduces barriers to the implementation of mobility innovations inspired by or related to the USASCP projects and regional connectivity related to the Mekong Regional Connectivity Program. Foster innovation in areas including system integration, partnerships, innovative business models and equity of service delivery within the ASEAN region. Identify and respond to project-specific challenges, serving as a central point of contact with USDOT and related stakeholders to collaboratively address implementation challenges. Produce project-end reports that detail the challenges and accomplishments of the program in support of the capacity-building objective. The USASCP:UPP will be funded as a cooperative agreement for an initial period of two years funded at $590,000. The USASCP: UPP will be fully federally funded. No local match is required. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations including colleges and universities and related research organizations.

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