Exploratory Evaluation of Electric Aircraft Noise Output and Performance | P17AS00197

Opportunity Information: Apply for P17AS00197

The grant opportunity titled "Exploratory Evaluation of Electric Aircraft Noise Output and Performance" (Funding Opportunity Number P17AS00197) is a National Park Service effort to support early-stage research and testing of prototype electric aircraft at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). The core purpose is to speed up technology development in electric aviation while producing practical, measurable data that can inform the future of air tour operations, especially in contexts where aircraft noise and environmental impacts are major concerns, such as areas near or within National Parks.

A central focus of the project is documenting aircraft performance characteristics that matter for real-world air tour use. That includes evaluating noise output in a structured way, as well as examining greenhouse gas emissions implications. While electric aircraft can significantly reduce or eliminate direct in-flight exhaust emissions compared to conventional combustion aircraft, the project is framed around gathering credible performance evidence rather than making broad assumptions. By testing prototypes and recording results, the work aims to establish an exploratory baseline for how electric aircraft might perform in operational scenarios relevant to sightseeing and tourism flights, where community noise exposure and resource protection are often sensitive issues.

The award mechanism is a cooperative agreement, meaning it is designed for a project where the federal agency anticipates substantial involvement in the work rather than simply issuing a hands-off grant. The funding activity category is science and technology and other research and development, aligning it with applied experimentation, measurement, and documentation rather than purely theoretical study. The CFDA listing associated with the opportunity is 15.945, and the sponsoring agency is the Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

Eligibility for the opportunity is limited to public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, which fits ERAU's role in the project. The planned scale is modest and targeted: the anticipated number of awards is one, with an award ceiling of $125,000. The opportunity is dated April 18, 2017, and it is presented as a Notice of Intent rather than an open competition.

Importantly, this notice is not accepting applications. The announcement states that the task agreement is being awarded under an existing cooperative agreement (P16AC00031) that was previously awarded through a competitive process. In practical terms, that means the funding is essentially a continuation or a specific task order under a larger, already-competed agreement, and there is no application window for new applicants at the time of this posting.

Beyond the technical testing, the project also includes an education and outreach component. It is intended to involve ERAU faculty and students directly in hands-on engineering development and testing, giving students experience in emerging aviation technologies and applied research methods. The outreach effort is also meant to reach a broad audience interested in aviation and National Parks, suggesting public-facing communication or educational activities that connect the technology work to the larger goals of protecting park resources, managing visitor experiences, and exploring quieter, cleaner aviation options for tourism and overflight contexts.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Exploratory Evaluation of Electric Aircraft Noise Output and Performance" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.945.
• This funding opportunity was created on Apr 18, 2017.
• Applicants must submit their applications by This is a Notice of Intent only. This Task Agreement is being awarded under Cooperative Agreement P16AC00031 which was already awarded under a competitive process. No applications are being accepted at this time.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $125,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education.

Apply for P17AS00197

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