(a) Definition of Eligible Entity.—In this section, the term “eligible entity” means—
(3)
an institution of higher education (as defined in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002)), including a university transportation center established under section 5505;
(b) Pilot Program.—The Secretary of Transportation (referred to in this section as the “Secretary”) shall establish an advanced transportation research pilot program under which the Secretary—
(c) Eligible Research.—The Secretary may enter into an arrangement with an eligible entity under this section to fund research that—
(d) Project Review.—The Secretary shall—
(1)
review each research proposal submitted under the pilot program established under subsection (b); and
(2)
(A) if funding is denied for the research proposal—
(i) provide to the eligible entity that submitted the proposal a written notice of the denial that, as applicable—
(B) if the research proposal is selected for funding—
(i)
provide to the eligible entity that submitted the proposal a written notice of the selection; and
(ii)
seek to enter into an arrangement with the eligible entity to provide funding for the proposed research.
(e) Coordination.—
(1) In general.—
The Secretary shall ensure that the activities carried out under subsection (c) are coordinated with, and do not duplicate the efforts of, programs of the Department of Transportation and other Federal agencies.
(2) Intraagency coordination.—The Secretary shall coordinate the research carried out under this section with—
(f) Review, Evaluation, and Report.—Not less frequently than biennially, in accordance with the plan developed under section 6503, the Secretary shall—
(g) Federal Share.—
(h) Limitation on Certain Expenses.—
Of any amounts made available to carry out this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary may use not more than 1.5 percent for coordination, evaluation, and oversight activities under this section.