A dozen small businesses from across the country have been chosen to receive federal grant dollars to help spark research and development of "innovating transportation technologies."

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that 12 businesses would be awarded a combined $2,000,000 through the first phase of funding from the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program.

"These funds will encourage public-private partnerships that share risk, foster purpose-driven innovation, and protect the interests of the public, workers, and communities," Robert Hampshire, U.S. DOT Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, said in a press release. "In order to create a safer and more resilient transportation system that is equitable and accessible to all, this program spurs the development and deployment of transformative technologies and research-based solutions."

The businesses awarded funding are located in eight states and include: Florida-based Connected Wise LLC, Sciperio, Inc., SLUSM LLC, Aiwaysion Inc. of Washington, New Jersey-based Innovative AI Technologies LLC, Tranalytics, LLC of Massachusetts, California-based Right Click Solutions Inc., Adelphi Technology, Intellisense Systems, Inc., ReVolt Battery Technology, Corp. of Texas, Delaware-based MCET Technologies, and Oceanic Laboratories, Inc. of Hawaii, according to the press release.

The first two phases of funding under the SBIR Program will include initial seed money for businesses with innovative technology. The release noted there is a possibility the third phase would be used to commercialize the technology.

The DOT hopes the money will help progress technological advances in the transportation industry by helping businesses start researching the technology and providing additional cash flow to help further advance it, the press release stated.