Research Funding

Transportation Research Funding

Funding for Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA's) Research and Technology (R&T) Program is provided under Title 23 of the U.S. Code, Chapter 5: Research, Technology, and Education, as amended by Division A, Title I, and Division E of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21). Division E of MAP-21 provides the authorization for Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to use funds from the Highway Trust Fund to conduct research and technology (R&T) activities, which include the Highway Research and Development Program (HRD), authorized at $115 million for fiscal years 2013 and 2014, and the Technology and Innovation Deployment Program, authorized at $62.5 million for fiscal years 2013 and 2014.

Additionally, States are required to set aside funds for the State Planning and Research (SP&R) Program. Out of four Federal-aid formula program allocations from Division A, Title I of MAP-21, the States must set aside two percent for planning and research purposes. At least 25 percent of these funds (approximately $180 million per year) must be used for research, development, and technology purposes. States use these funds to conduct research aimed at solving specific transportation issues at the State level, or States may leverage these funds by applying them toward Transportation Pooled Fund projects. States can also use these funds as the non-Federal match for Local/Tribal Technical Assistance Program Centers and for the University Transportation Centers. In addition, States have agreed to contribute 4 percent of State Planning and Research funds for Future Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP2) implementation.

The MAP-21 also authorizes FHWA to lead the implementation of results and products from the Future Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP2). Funding for SHRP2 implementation will be drawn from two sources: the Technology and Innovation Deployment Program, and the State Planning and Research Program.