UC ITS STRP 2026-27 Request for Proposal
Review the 2026-27 proposal information below. The RFP will allocate approximately $2.8 million to support research that addresses and informs transportation policy, planning, and engineering issues in California.
The RFP is open to eligible applicants at all UCs and is now open for the 2026-27 funding year. Applicants will be notified about award decisions by Monday, August 3rd, 2026.
A virtual information session reviewing the details of this funding opportunity will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. PT. The information session will also include a short presentation from UC ITS Library Director, Kendra Levine on publication planning. Register here.
Refer to the following resources for more information and to apply:
- Access the full RFP here.
- Prepare submission using this proposal template.
- Register for RFP Informational Webinar here.
- Submit proposal through the UC ITS Proposal Submission Site.
Important dates and timeline:
- Request for proposals released Wednesday, April 1, 2026 at 8:00 a.m. PT.
- View the informational webinar recording using the password: q0W9?f^9
- Stakeholder support request deadline is April 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PT
- Equity consult request deadline [UCLA only] is April 30, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PT
- Proposal submissions due Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. PT.
- Applicants will be notified about award decisions by Monday, August 3rd, 2026.
Have a question? Use this online form to submit questions concerning this RFP, including questions related to preparing project budgets, the status of prior UC ITS-funded projects, eligibility, and other topics. Interested applicants may also use this form to request assistance with identifying a public agency or community-based organization project partner; however, requests must be submitted by Thursday, April 30, 2026, 5 p.m. PT.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, PIs with projects funded in the last year (FY 2025-26) are eligible to submit a proposal for a project starting in the 2026-27 year. As per the RFP section 3.1 Applicant Eligibility, “all expected project deliverables must be completed before FY 2026-27 funds will be disbursed.” Therefore the FY 2025-26 project must have all project deliverables turned in before the PI will receive funds for the new FY 2026-27 project, no matter when the start date is for the FY 2026-27 project.
Researchers are limited to being listed as a PI on only one applied research project and as a co-PI on one additional applied research project. There is no limit to the number of translational projects or research synthesis proposals a researcher may be listed as PI or co-PI on.
PIs with in-progress research projects funded in years 2024-25 and prior by the UC ITS may apply, however, all outstanding deliverables must be submitted prior to the proposal deadline (May 21, 2026). This includes deliverable revisions that have been requested by UC ITS staff with a submission deadline prior to the proposal deadline.
PIs with in-progress projects funded in the FY 2025-26 UC ITS RFP cycle must have all deliverables completed before FY 2026-27 funds will be disbursed or the PI will risk loosing the new award. PIs with active UC ITS research projects may inquire about their eligibility using this online form.
Yes, funding for graduate student researchers is an eligible expense across all project types. From page 10 in the RFP, “Applied research proposals that include funding for one or more graduate student researchers will be more competitive. Funding for graduate students is encouraged on all proposals.”
Yes, proposals on topics not covered by the research priorities listed in the RFP must include a Statement of Support. From page 12 in Section 4.2 in the RFP, “If the proposal does not directly address one of the research priorities, a statement of support from a non-federal public sector stakeholder or CBO is required to show the relevance and importance of the proposed research to the stakeholder and its community in California.” Additionally, all applicants should demonstrate strong evidence of support in the appropriate sections of the RFP proposal package, including the proposal narrative.
Allowable travel expenses are as follows:
- Travel to events and/or meetings within California to present research results is encouraged.
- Minimal domestic travel outside of California requires strong justification in the budget narrative.
- International travel is not allowed.
