The Council of University Transportation Centers (CUTC) was established in 1979 by the major transportation research centers and institutes in the United States. CUTC provides a forum for the Universities and Centers to interact collectively with government and industry. CUTC’s mission is to promote university research, education, workforce development, and technology transfer as essential to the nation’s transportation system.

The CUTC scholarship recognizes outstanding achievement by a masters-degree student affiliated with an USDOT-sponsored University Transportation Center. Beginning in 2017, CUTC has conducted a separate competition for admission. The selected student will demonstrate high career potential and an interest in transportation policy or public service.