Research (about research)

Writing an effective research statement is not a simple matter, even to transportation practitioners who face serious problems and challenges on a daily basis. The research needed might be obvious to them but difficult to describe to non-specialists. They may not have thought about how to quantify it or how to justify the needed research with respect to other agency or national priorities. A serious problem to them might not even be on a decision maker?s radar screen.

This document was written to provide some guidance on developing research statements for funding consideration. The categories below are based on those of the National Cooperative Highway Research Program, but they should be adaptable to any research funding program.

Transportation research needs are broad, cutting across modes, geographic levels, and types of research. The organizations conducting transportation research and the research programs themselves are diverse. While there is considerable strength in this diversity, it can be difficult to navigate through these programs. Where can I find funding? Who is conducting research in my area of interest? Where do I find the cutting-edge research products?

To help the transportation community access research programs more efficiently, the TRB Conduct of Research Committee, the AASHTO Research Advisory Committee, TRB Staff, and transportation professionals from across the country worked together to produce Funding Sources for Transportation Research: Competitive Programs. The first version of this web resource was posted in December 2008. It will be updated regularly with additional research programs, information and updates for the existing programs, and tips and advice.