FY 2026 Competitive Academic Agreement Program (CAAP)

The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration¿s (PHMSA) FY 2026 CAAP NOFO solicits research proposals from nonprofit institutions of higher education for the Pipeline Safety Research and Development (R&D) Program. This program is authorized by section 12 of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107-355) and 49¿U.S.C. § 60117(l). The CAAP competitive research announcement will focus on the following objectives: - Early corrosion prediction for pipelines and implementing appropriate mitigation measures. - Economical and novel agents to mitigate internal or external pipeline corrosion due to microbial-induced corrosion.- Artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted software package to assist with composite repair design.¿¿- AI-assisted software tool for interpretation of standards/regulations and properly applying the requirements.¿- Non-destructive inspection technology for cast iron pipeline inspection.- AI-enhanced liquid pipeline leak detection methodologies. ¿

PHMSA developed evaluation criteria to rate and select competing applications. Submission of an application is not a guarantee of award. PHMSA may, at its discretion, award a grant based on an application in its entirety, award only portions of a grant based on its application, or not award a grant at all. Applications will be evaluated against the following evaluation criteria: 1. The extent to which the applicant�s proposal meets the research topic area needs; 2. The extent to which the applicant�s proposed research topic solution can be readily implemented; 3. The extent to which the applicant�s proposal identifies research partnership(s) and subject matter expert involvement, as well as how involved the identified partner(s) will be in the project; 4. The extent to which the applicant�s proposal clearly establishes work scope, tasks, milestones, and estimated project costs that align with project goals and objectives, as well as whether any potential risks have been identified and mitigated; and 5. The extent to which the applicant�s proposed plan involves students and defines their specific tasks and commitment to the project. In addition, PHMSA expects the proposed results of the projects to be factual, unbiased, verifiable, and repeatable to the extent practicable. Applicants should also be aware that a cooperative agreement will not convey any authority to recipients to secure information or cooperation from pipeline operators.

Pursuant to section 22(b)(2)(C)(ii) of the PIPES Act of 2016 (Pub. L. 114�183), there is a mandatory minimum 20 percent cost-sharing requirement for CAAP agreements. The Federal government cost share shall not exceed 80 percent of the total cost, capped at $1 million. Firm commitment letters for cost sharing must accompany applications, or proposals will not be reviewed.

Fiscal year 2025: In FY 2025, PHMSA awarded projects within five topics as solicited by the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) # 693JK325NF0003 : 1) Risk Evaluation of Vehicle Strikes on Aboveground Pipeline Equipment and Facilities; 2) Technology, Equipment, or Procedures to Prevent Human Error; 3) Testing, Modeling, and Verifying Strain Capacity in Vintage Pipelines; 4) Non-Metallic Pipe Inspection Technology; and 5) Acceptable Methods for Modeling Shrouding or Obstructions for Pressurized Liquid Releases