Synthesis of Information Related to Highway Practices

Seeking Principal Investigators for New Synthesis Topics

19 May 2023

Due by August 28, 2023

NCHRP is seeking principal investigators for 21 new synthesis topics. The new project numbers, titles, and preliminary scopes of work are available in the New NCHRP Synthesis Studies box below and online at this link.

To express interest in being a principal investigator for a topic, a two-page Letter of Interest and a resume or CV are required. The Letter of Interest and resume should convey a concise idea of the principal investigator's knowledge and related work experience in the subject area.  The deadline for submitting Letters of Interest is August 28, 2023.  Panel meetings for the new topics will be held in September and October. During these meetings, scopes of work will be finalized and principal investigators chosen.

Please note the following information for potential principal investigators:

1. View a template of our synthesis subaward. There is a modified version of this for state entities.
   Please note that TRB does not negotiate the terms of these fixed-price contracts.
2. The eleven-month period of performance is based on the following milestones:
   1. TRB Notice to Proceed.
   2. Draft Work Plan, Report Outline, and Survey Questionnaire - Due 2 weeks after TRB Notice to Proceed.
   3. Disseminate survey to state departments of transportation – Due 10 weeks after TRB Notice to Proceed.
   4. First Draft Report- Due 7 months after TRB Notice to Proceed.
   5. Second Draft Report - Due 9 months after TRB Notice to Proceed.
   6. Final Report - Due 11 months after TRB Notice to Proceed.
3. The principal investigator will participate in a one-hour conference call with panel members at the start of the project and a one-day meeting with the panel to review the first draft report. NCHRP will pay the principal investigator’s travel cost.
4. Principal Investigators will be paid $55,000 on a fixed-price basis. 
5. To propose, please send a single pdf containing a one-to-two page Letter of Interest, a resume providing the principal investigator's qualifications, and a statement that you can comply with the terms of our contract. Note: the statement of compliance should be signed by the contracting entity (e.g., university, company, or an individual sole proprietor). This is the only requirement for expression of interest. 

Please submit Letters of Interest to the Letters of Interest Submission Portal.

For further information on the NCHRP synthesis program and processes, see Information for Principal Investigators Preparing Syntheses.

Propose New Topics for the NCHRP Synthesis Program

14 August 2023

Due by February 16, 2024

You are invited to propose a new NCHRP Synthesis topic for next year's program. Upload your synthesis topic statement in a Word document to the NCHRP Synthesis Topic Submission Portal by February 16, 2024.

An outline to guide you in creating your synthesis topic statement is available here: Synthesis Topic Outline.

A synthesis study documents current practice for specific highway topics.  The following factors are considered in the selection of a synthesis topic:

• The objective of the scope of work is to document current highway practice in state departments of transportation (DOTs);
•  The synthesis documents current practice, not best practice; it is not a research project or a guidebook;
• The topic addresses an area of practice that is widespread and of general interest to state DOTs; and
• The topic should be timely and critical for expediting delivery, improving the quality, or lowering the cost of highway programs.