Exploratory Advanced Research (EAR) Program FY 2027 Data Science Solicitation
FHWA will fund high-risk exploratory data science research for highway transportation that demonstrates emerging data analytic techniques and expands the researcher community interested in transportation applications.
⚑ Federal contract/BAA format rather than a grant; applicants must be responsible sources. · Expression of interest only; no commitment to pay proposal preparation costs. · High-risk, exploratory topic area focused on data science for highway transportation.
This is a highway transportation data-science/basic engineering solicitation, and the team’s core work is public risk perception, hazard communication, energy/nuclear attitudes, and policy evaluation. They could potentially contribute only at the margins on survey/behavioral aspects of transportation or public response to roadway systems, but it is not their program.
JUDGED AGAINST THE ROSTER'S PUBLICATION DOSSIER · GPT-5.4-MINI · 2026-11-05
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 90 strong | technical depth: central; funds basic research |
| IPPRA | 48 partial | outside portfolio topics; social/behavioral work is minor; funds basic research |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 30 weak | prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
Description
693JJ327BAA0002 FORMERLY 693JJ326BAA0006 This BAA is an expression of interest only and does not commit the Government to pay any proposal preparation costs. All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit a proposal. The Government reserves the right to award or to not award contracts or other instruments determined to be of benefit to the Government in achieving the goals of this program. The EAR Program addresses the need to conduct research on longer term and higher risk breakthrough topics with the potential for transformational improvements to plan, build, renew, and operate safe, congestion free, and environmentally sound transportation systems. The Program scans broadly for advances in science and engineering to identify research topics where FHWA investment has the potential to make a significant impact. The EAR Program has identified an Agency need for data science for highway transportation research with the following objectives: 1. Engage and expand the community of researchers interested in applying emerging and advanced data methods for highway transportation research. 2. Demonstrate potential of emerging and exploratory data analytic techniques for highway transportation.
Eligibility
Applicant restrictions (federal contract). Set-aside: No Set aside used. Notice type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation. Organization: TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF / FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION / 693JJ3 ACQUISITION AND GRANTS MGT.
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