U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao recently announced that the FAA is awarding $2.6 million in research, education, and training grants to universities that make up the agency’s Air Transportation Center of Excellence (COE) for UAS, which is also known as Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE).

The grants are designed to advance specific goals and projects.

“The research funded by these grants will provide valuable data as the Department leads the way to chart a course for the safe integration of drones into our national airspace,” Secretary Chao said.

“In addition to providing grants, we are also supporting activities that provide operational experience like the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Pilot Program, all of which move us more quickly toward full integration.”

The total of the four grants is $2,578,071. The grants cover the following research projects: UAS Flight Data Collection and Analysis Phase II; UAS Safety Case Development, Process Improvement, and Data Collection; Develop Risk-Based Training and Standards for Operational Approval and Issuance; and Establish UAS Pilot Proficiency Requirements.

The COE universities that will receive the grants include the University of North Dakota; the University of Alaska, Fairbanks; New Mexico State University; Kansas State University; Mississippi State University; The Ohio State University; Oregon State University; and Drexel University. The University of North Dakota will serve as the lead university on two of the research projects, while Kansas State University and Oregon State University will serve as the lead university on a project a piece.