WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Advanced Research Projects Agency – Infrastructure (ARPA-I) has announced the launch of its Ideas Challenge, an open call for innovators across the public and private sectors to propose groundbreaking solutions aimed at transforming America’s transportation systems.
The competition invites participants to develop bold concepts that enhance safety, reduce costs, and modernize infrastructure, reflecting the agency’s mission to accelerate advancements in transportation technology and resilience.
“From the Wright Brothers to the Apollo missions, America invented transportation innovation,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Our new Ideas Challenge will continue that proud tradition and support the development of new 21st-century technologies to launch us forward. Start your innovation engines!”
How the Challenge Works
The Ideas Challenge is structured in two stages, designed to foster innovative thinking and provide participants with opportunities to refine their proposals before presenting them to USDOT leadership and industry experts.
Stage 1: Concept Papers
Applicants will be required to:
- Identify a critical transportation infrastructure challenge.
- Propose a breakthrough solution capable of transforming transportation systems.
- Submit an R&D plan outlining deployment strategies, commercialization pathways, and clear metrics for measuring success.
Stage 1 concept papers are due by September 17, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Selected winners will be invited to the Ideas Challenge Workshop this fall, where they will present their concepts to USDOT leadership, ARPA-I officials, and other stakeholders.
Stage 2: Detailed Proposals and Final Presentations
Teams selected from Stage 1 will advance to Stage 2, where they will submit detailed proposals expanding upon their initial concepts. Up to 10 finalists will compete in the ARPA-I Ideas Challenge Final in early 2026, presenting their proposals before a distinguished panel of judges and an audience of leaders from both the public and private sectors.
The total prize purse across both stages will be up to $1 million, with awards distributed to the top-performing teams.
Recognition and Impact
Winning innovators will be recognized by USDOT leadership and receive the opportunity to discuss their proposals in-depth with agency officials and experts. Their ideas will play a key role in shaping ARPA-I’s research and development priorities, influencing future federal investments in transportation infrastructure and technology.
By inviting contributions from across sectors, the Ideas Challenge seeks to harness American ingenuity to address pressing transportation challenges, from improving safety to advancing next-generation infrastructure.
The launch of the challenge underscores USDOT’s broader commitment to positioning the United States as a global leader in transportation innovation while delivering long-term benefits to communities, industries, and travelers nationwide.
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