State, Planning and Research

The State Planning and Research Program funds States' statewide planning and research activities. The funds are used to establish a cooperative, continuous, and comprehensive framework for making transportation investment decisions and to carryout tr

The State Planning and Research Program (SP & R) is authorized by Title 23, USC, and is regulated under 23 CFR Part 420. The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) requires that States set aside 2 percent of the apportionments they receive from the Interstate Maintenance, National Highway System, Surface Transportation, Highway Bridge, Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement, and Equity Bonus programs for State planning and research activities. Of this amount, States must allocate 25 percent for research, development, and technology. These activities involve research on new areas of knowledge; adapting findings to practical applications by developing new technologies; and the transfer of these technologies, including the process of dissemination, demonstration, training, and adoption of innovations by users.

Under 23 U.S.C. 505(a), all SPR (planning and RD & T) activities must be identifiable as one of the categories below. However, the required 25% set-aside for RD & T activities identified in 23 U.S.C. 505(b)(1) specifically limits the use of RD & T (SPR Subpart B) set-aside funds to "activities in subsection (a) relating to highway, public transportation, and intermodal transportation systems." FHWA views the activities found in paragraphs 5. and 6. listed below as the only activities eligible for SPR Subpart B funds. The activities listed in paragraphs 1-4 and 7 below, while eligible for SPR Subpart A funds, are not considered eligible for SPR Subpart B set-aside funds. 1. Engineering and economic surveys and investigations. 2. The planning of future highway programs and local public transportation systems and the planning of the financing of such programs and systems, including metropolitan and statewide planning under 23 U.S.C. 134 and 135. 3. Development and implementation of management systems, plans, and processes under 23 U.S.C. 119, 148, 149, and 167. 4. Studies of the economy, safety, and convenience of surface transportation systems and the desirable regulation and equitable taxation of such systems. 5. Research, development, and technology transfer activities necessary in connection with the planning, design, construction, management, and maintenance of highway, public transportation, and intermodal transportation systems. 6. Study, research, and training on the engineering standards and construction materials for transportation systems described in paragraph (5), including the evaluation and accreditation of inspection and testing and the regulation and taxation of their use. 7. The conduct of activities relating to the planning of real-time monitoring elements.

The basic funding requirements of Federal research, development, and technology transfer program grant administration under 23 CFR Part 420 (SPR) are: Two (2) percent of each State's Federal Aid apportionments of core programs is set-aside for State Planning and Research activities, after the apportionment to the individual States (includes both SPR Subpart A and Subpart B funding amounts). 23 U.S.C. 505(a). Not less than 25 percent of the funds set aside by 23 U.S.C. 505(a) each fiscal year shall be expended by the State for research, development, and technology transfer activities. 23 CFR 420.107 (SPR Subpart B). The Federal cost share is 80 percent, unless the Secretary determines that the interests of the Federal-aid highway program would be best served by decreasing or eliminating the non-Federal share. 23 U.S.C. 505(d). The authority to decrease or waive the non-Federal share for research programs is delegated to the FHWA Associate Administrator for RD & T. 23 CFR 420.119(d). The Funds are allocated to the States from the Highway account of the Highway Trust Fund under contract authority, are subject to obligation limitation, and are available as stated in 23 U.S.C. 118(b) for a period including the current Federal Fiscal year plus 3 additional years.

Varies by project. FHWA determines criteria for selecting proposals based on the stated objectives of the funding opportunity.

Varies by project. Generally, FHWA publishes a notice of funding, soliciting applications for assistance, reviews these applications, and determines which applications are most qualified for award. Please see the individual notice of funding for details.