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Submit an IDEA Proposal


 IDEA programs are different from other research programs because investigators initiate projects by sending proposals during the spring or fall funding cycles. Each year, an IDEA Program Announcement is published to provide the latest guidelines and requirements for submitting proposals to any of the four programs. Proposers are encouraged to closely review the Program Announcement and then contact the responsible Senior Program Officer for answers to any questions that may remain before preparing the Proposal Submission Forms.

Active IDEA Programs Receiving Proposals

The following three IDEA programs are active and receiving proposals:
  • The NCHRP Highway IDEA program reviews proposals for funding twice a year. The deadlines for submitting proposals to these review cycles are March 1 and September 1 every year.
  • Transit IDEA proposals for the next cycle are due May 1, 2013.
  • Safety IDEA proposals for the next cycle are due September 16, 2013.


 Top 3 Things Selection Committees Look For in Proposals 

  1. Innovation: Emphasize the innovation. What problem does your project address? How is your solution better than current practice?
  2. Benefits: Describe the expected benefits. Why is this project worth investing in?
  3. Science: Be sure the research approach is sound and credible.

IDEA Program Officers:

Harvey Berlin, Transit IDEA and Safety IDEA, hberlin@nas.edu
Inam Jawed, NCHRP Highway IDEA and Reliability IDEA, ijawed@nas.edu