TRB’s Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis (IDEA) annual program announcement solicits funding proposals for the upcoming review cycles.  The announcement explains the IDEA programs, describes the types of eligible projects and their funding structures, suggests general areas for which IDEA proposals can be submitted, and provides guidelines and forms for submitting proposals.

• Highway IDEA proposals are due March 1 and September 1, 2019, depending on which of the two funding cycles is targeted.
• The Transit IDEA and Rail Safety IDEA will have one review cycle in 2019. Transit IDEA proposals will be due May 1 and Rail Safety IDEA, September 15.

If the proposal submission due date for any IDEA program falls over a weekend or on a federal holiday, the due date automatically moves to the next business day.

The IDEA programs provide start-up funding for promising, but unproven, innovations in surface transportation systems. The programs’ goals are to seek out and support new transportation solutions that are unlikely to be funded through traditional sources.

Top 3 Criteria by Which Selection Committees Evaluate IDEA Proposals:
1. Innovation -- Emphasize the innovation. Say it first, say it fast, and make it clear. What problem does your project address? How is your solution better than current practice?
2. Payoff -- Describe the expected benefits. Why is this project worth investing in?
3. Research Approach -- Stick to the science. Be sure the research approach is sound and sensible.