Untitled section

The Secretary shall issue a new notice of funding opportunity for eight new university transportation centers, as authorized under section 5505 of title 49, United States Code: Provided, That in selecting such university transportation center awards, the Secretary shall first prioritize (a) any applicants that had previously been selected as a university transportation center focusing on transportation infrastructure durability and composite materials and were required to re-compete before the end of the typical five-year term and who currently participate in the Department of Transportation’s Advanced Research Projects Agency—Infrastructure program and (b) any applicant that had their university transportation center designation cancelled in May 2025 by the Department of Transportation: Provided further, That such university transportation center awards shall be made available using any unobligated amounts remaining from the university transportation centers program, which have not been committed to any existing university transportation center grantees: Provided further, That any such unobligated amounts shall include funds made available in section 11101(c)(1)(E) of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117–58) and funds made available under the heading Highway Infrastructure Program in Title VIII of Division J of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117–58): Provided further, That amounts repurposed or transferred pursuant to this section shall continue to be treated as amounts specified in section 103(b) of division A of Public Law 118–5.