www.coe.faa.gov This file is the text of the entire website. BRIDGING THE GAP Bridging the gap between government, academia and industry, FAA Centers of Excellence bring together and unleash the best minds in the country to assure that the U.S. air transportation system remains the safest, most secure and most efficient in the world. Through these long-term collaborative efforts, the government and COE teams partner to effectively build competence and leverage resources to advance the technological future of the nation's aviation community. MISSION CRITICAL FOCUS - The FAA establishes partnerships with universities throughout the country to create Centers of Excellence (COEs) in aviation research. These Centers form flexible, multi-disciplinary teams with other government organizations and industry affiliates. The team members coordinate research and development (R&D) in areas of aviation technologies that are critical to the agency's mission and long-term vision. Over the past decade, the FAA has established Centers of Excellence to focus on the following technology areas: General Aviation Airworthiness Assurance Operations Research Airport Technology Computational Modeling of Aircraft Structures FAA Centers of Excellence provide a formal structure that facilitates research, education, training, and technology transfer. World-class research scientists focus their analytical and technical skills on aviation topics of the utmost importance, coordinate long-term research agendas, and serve on various investigative committees. These outside, objective experts are available to the FAA at all times. They assist in integrating and enhancing aviation research initiatives and planning processes. Centers promote aviation studies and conduct conferences, workshops, seminars and technical reviews to disseminate information as mandated in the enabling legislation. At the conclusion of each three-year phase, university partners and industry affiliates host a major symposium to highlight research results. With an eye on the future needs of the aviation community, the FAA creates Centers of Excellence in order to forge successful partnerships with the nation's preeminent universities, their partners and affiliates. In this way, the FAA ensures the continued vitality of long-term aviation research efforts. ENABLING LEGISTLATION - Public Law 101-508 "AIR TRANSPORTATION CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE - (a) In General - Section 312 of the Federal Aviation Act of 1955 (49 App.U.S.C. 1353) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (i) AVIATION RESEARCH AND CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE - The Administrator may make grants to one or more colleges or universities to establish and operate several regional centers of air transportation excellence, whose locations shall be geographically equitable. The responsibilities of each regional center of air transportation excellence shall include, but not be limited to, the conduct of research concerning airspace and airport planning and design, in the air transportation environment, aviation safety and security, the supply of trained air transportation personnel including pilots and mechanics, and other aviation issues pertinent to developing and maintaining a safe and efficient air transportation system...and the interpretation, publication, and dissemination of the results of such research..." November 5, 1990 Message from the Administrator The Federal Aviation Administration's mission is to provide a safe, secure, and efficient aerospace system for the nation. To accomplish this mission, the agency supports academic and industry partnerships to address our research needs and to leverage our R&D budget. Through the Air Transportation Centers of Excellence (COEs) for aviation research, the FAA supports the sharing of knowledge and is positioned to receive and transfer emerging aviation technologies to the federal and private sectors. Participating universities benefit through funded research programs that enrich the educational opportunities for students by linking their learning to real world experiences. Since 1992, the FAA has created significant partnerships with world-class academic institutions and their industry, state, and local government affiliates. By establishing major research centers throughout the country, the FAA strengthens internal research capabilities while creating a pool of trained professionals for the next generation. Our Air Transportation Centers of Excellence form a cumulative repository of knowledge and hasten the application of scientific advancements benefiting the aviation community and the flying public. In this way, the agency assures that the U.S. air transportation system remains the best in the world. LONG-TERM PARTNERSHIPS Đ Coordinate Efforts and Advance Innovation In Aviation Technology Over the past decade, the Air Transportation Centers of Excellence have represented a major commitment by the FAA to support multi-year and multi-million dollar research that ensures coordination and innovation. These investments result in significant advancements in aviation science and technologies, and technology transfer. This progress has enabled the United States to continue to build a safer and more efficient air transportation infrastructure. The FAA has awarded over $80M through grants and contracts to five Centers in support of more than 350 research tasks. COE scientists have published more than 2,000 articles and reports, and doctoral theses since 1993. MATCHING FUNDS - Leverage Resources and Maximize Technological Capabilities Following an extensive selection process, university core members enter into cooperative agreements with the FAA. Subsequently, research scientists are funded through matching grants and cost-share contracts. COE members are required to provide matching funds from non-federal sources, solidifying their partnership with the FAA, and enabling the Center to strive to be an independent national resource. Through these partnerships between government, academia, and industry, all parties maximize and strengthen their technological capabilities. By establishing major research centers throughout the United States, the agency helps to finance graduate education and fosters collaborative R&D efforts to continually improve our national airspace system. FAA Centers of Excellence may conduct research for, and receive funding from, industry and all federal, state and local governments. COE SELECTION Đ Ensures Excellence The FAA identifies a need to support long-term research in a specific technology with guidance from senior management from various organizations throughout the agency. Thereafter, a Notice of Informational Meeting and a Solicitation are published in the Federal Register. In response to these announcements, qualified institutions then submit proposals for consideration. Applicants are required to show the facilities, equipment and financial resources that are available to meet statutory requirements. Proposals are reviewed on a competitive basis by a panel of government research scientists and management officials. Each proposal is evaluated to ensure that institutional teams can provide a superior environment for aviation research, and to assure institutional compliance with the selection criteria established by Congress. The FAA Administrator grants approval to establish a Center of Excellence and makes the final selection based on findings of the technical and fiscal reviewers. Centers may also be designated by Congressional direction. Institutions being considered for selection as an FAA Center of Excellence must demonstrate their capacity to meet the following criteria: -The extent to which the needs of the State in which the applicant is located are representative of the needs of the region for improved air transportation services and facilities -The demonstrated research and extension resources available to the applicant for carrying out Center research -The capability of the applicant to provide leadership in making national and regional contributions to the solution of both long-range and immediate air transportation problems -The extent to which the applicant has an established air transportation program -The demonstrated ability of the applicant to disseminate research results and educational programs through a statewide or regional continuing education programÉ.* Proposed projects to be carried out by academic partners are evaluated according to the FAA guidelines stated in each Solicitation. *as stated in Public Law 101-508 COE MEMBERS - Air Force Institute of Technology Air Force Research Laboratory Arizona State University Baylor University Carnegie Mellon University Department of the Air Force Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Idaho National Engineering Laboratory Iowa State University Johns Hopkins University Lehigh University Massachusetts Institute of Technology Mississippi State University NASA Langley Research Center NASA Lewis Naval Postgraduate School New Jersey Institute of Technology North Carolina A&T State University Northwestern University Ohio Aerospace Institute Ohio University Penn State University Princeton University Purdue University Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute Rutgers University Sandia National Laboratories Stanford University SUNY at Buffalo The Ohio State University Tuskegee University University of Alaska University of Arizona University of California-Berkeley University of California-Los Angeles University of California-Santa Barbara University of Dayton University of Illinois University of Maryland University of Michigan University of Minnesota University of Missouri-Columbia University of North Dakota University of Rochester University of Southern California University of Texas at Austin University of Utah Virginia Tech Wayne State University Wichita State University FAA ESTABLISHED CENTERS - General Aviation (CGAR) Established: 2001 Sponsor: Chris Seher, AAR-400 Core Members: Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Lead; Florida A&M University, University of Alaska, University of North Dakota, Wichita State University. Technology Areas: Airport Technology, Propulsion and Structures, Aging Aircraft, Flight Safety, Fire Safety. Airworthiness Assurance (AACE) Established: 1997 Sponsor: Chris Seher, AAR-400 Core Members: Arizona State University, Baylor University, Carnegie Mellon University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Iowa State University, Johns Hopkins University, Lehigh University, Mississippi State University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, North Carolina A&T State University, Northwestern University, The Ohio State University, Ohio University, Pennsylvania State University, Perdue University, Rutgers University, Sandia National Laboratories, Tuskegee University, University of Arizona, University of California, University of Dayton, University of Maryland, University of Missouri-Columbia, University of North Dakota, University of Utah, Wayne State University, Wichita State University. Technology Areas: Inspection, Maintenance and Repair; Propulsion and Fuels; Advanced Materials; Crashworthiness; Structural Integrity and Flight Loads; Validation; and Technology Transfer. Operations Research (NEXTOR) Established: 1996 Sponsor: Norm Fujisaki, ASD-2 Core Members: University of California-Berkeley, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Maryland, and Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Co-Leads; and 11 additional university partners, and 20 industrial affiliates. Technology Areas: Air Traffic Management and Control; Safety Data Analysis; Communications, Data Collection and Distribution; Human Factors; System Performance and Assessment Measures; Aviation Economics. Airport Technology Established: 1995 Sponsor: Chris Seher, AAR-400 Core Members: The University of Illinois, Lead; with Northwestern University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and North Carolina A&T State University. Technology Areas: Material Characterization and Modeling, Non-destructive Evaluation of Pavements, Structural Behavior and Modeling, Airport Pavement Design Concepts/Procedures, Wildlife Hazard Mitigation. The Joint Center of Excellence for Computational Modeling of Aircraft Structures Established: 1992-1996 Core Members Designated by Congress: Rutgers University and Georgia Institute of Technology. Technology Areas: Widespread Fatigue Damage, Residual Life and Residual Strength Estimations, Mechanical and Composite Patch Repairs, Life-Enhancement Methodologies, Discrete Source Damage. Patricia Watts, Ph.D. Program Director, FAA Centers of Excellence Phone: (609) 485-5043 Ą Fax: (609) 485-4101 Ą Email: patricia.watts@faa.gov Web: www.coe.faa.gov End of the text file.