The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) is now taking applications for FY24 STIC Innovation Incentive projects.

What is the STIC?

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) State Transportation Innovation Council (STIC) Incentive program provides resources to help foster a culture of innovation and make innovations standard practice. Through the program, funding up to $100,000 per State per Federal fiscal year is made available to support or offset the costs of standardizing innovative practices. Incentive funding for eligible projects is for the Federal share of 80 percent, limited to $100,000 per State each year. The full $100,000 STIC award would require $25,000 in matching funds.

The required 20 percent non-Federal match may come from project sponsors or other allowable fund sources. The program is administered by FHWA’s Center for Accelerating Innovation. 

Eligible STIC Grant Recipients:

The State Transportation Agency (STA) or state DOT is the primary recipient of the STIC Incentive awards. Other public sector STIC stakeholders such as MPOs, local governments or tribal governments are eligible to receive STIC Incentive funding as sub-recipients to an STA. Sub-recipients must demonstrate how they will meet the requirements of Title 2 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) part 200, including financial management standards and audits.

Application/Selection Process:

1. Submit application - The originator comes up with the idea for a research proposal for an innovative practice, finds an investigator ready to do the research and explore the innovative practice, completes the application and persuades a STIC member to sponsor the proposal. If you have questions on how to secure a STIC sponsor, please contact Cina Fisher at (907) 269-7383 or cina.fisher@alaska.gov

   The investigator must be from an institution capable of meeting the financial requirements for handling Federal grants, carrying out the research, securing a funding source for the required match, and reporting progress on this work to the STIC and FHWA.  Progress Reports are to be provided to FHWA every 6 months, with a Final Report at the conclusion of the work.

2. Screen proposals -The STIC staff and the FHWA Division office will screen proposals for completeness and eligibility requirements working with applicants to ensure they are given a chance to correct minor errors or omissions. Eligible applications will be forwarded to STIC members for review prior to the selection meeting.
   
   
3. STIC application selection meeting. After the STIC members review the applications, we’ll hold a selection meeting around the last week in May, 2024. The STIC Sponsor will introduce the eligible proposal to the other STIC members and provide an opportunity for the originator/investigator to defend their proposal in a short presentation.
   
   
4. STIC votes - After the merits of all the applications have been discussed by the STIC members, they will vote on which proposal to fund based on the following criteria as a guide:
   1. Does your project improve a safety concern or stimulate economic growth?
   2. Does your project support cost savings or efficiency project delivery?
   3. Does your project have a high likelihood to improve the way we do business or foster a culture of innovation?
   4. Is your impact narrow or widespread?
   5. Does the proposal include matching funds beyond the 20% requirement?

• Applications are due by May 17, 2024 and may be emailed to: cristina.demattio@alaska.gov
• For application or eligibility questions contact: cina.fisher@alaska.gov or (907) 269-7383
• STIC application is attached. 

Supporting Information

FHWA STIC fact sheet and Alaska STIC Charter available at:

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/innovation/stic/guidance.cfm

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/innovation/stic/charters/ak.pdf

It is the policy of the Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) that no person shall be excluded from participation in, or be denied benefits of any and all programs or activities we provide based on race, religion, gender, age, marital status, ability, or national origin, regardless of the funding source including Federal Transit Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Highway Administration and State of Alaska Funds. To file a complaint, go to: www.dot.alaska.gov/tvi_statement.shtml

The DOT&PF complies with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.  Individuals with disabilities who may need auxiliary aids, services, and/or special modifications to participate in public meetings or who require special accommodations while gathering information on this file, should contact Lauren Little at 907-378-5911 or email at lauren.little@alaska.gov or Alaska Relay at phone number: 711. Requests should be made at least 5 days before the accommodation is needed to make any necessary arrangements.