Important Changes are coming to the NCHRP Synthesis Program
02 May 2025
The NCHRP Synthesis topic statement submittal portal is now open. Submit a topic statement at this link: https://nchrpballoting.trb.org/synthesis.
Topic statements are due by 11:59:59pm EST on June 2, 2025. Late submittals will not be accepted.
Important changes:
1. Submitters are strongly encouraged to consider the federal administration’s priorities when proposing synthesis topics.
2. While anyone can write or contribute to preparing a topic statement, submittals will only be accepted from the following sources:
a. Employees of state departments of transportation
b. AASHTO staff on behalf of AASHTO committees or councils
c. Employees of the Federal Highway Administration
3. Submitters will use their MyTRB credentials to login to the online submittal system. If you do not have a MyTRB account, you will be prompted to create one.
4. Instead of uploading a document, the submitter will fill in an online form; text can be either typed directly into the form or can be cut and pasted from a document.
5. Topic statement submittals that propose going beyond the scope of an NCHRP Synthesis will not be accepted.
a. A synthesis documents current highway-related practices at state departments of transportation (DOTs).
i. A synthesis does not document best practice.
ii. A synthesis is not a research project or a guide; it does not make recommendations.
b. The topic addresses an area of practice that is widespread and of interest to most state DOTs.
c. The topic should be timely and critical for expediting the delivery, improving the quality, or lowering the cost of highway programs.
d. All syntheses use the same approach for gathering information: a literature review, a survey of state DOTs, and follow-up interviews with selected DOTs to develop case examples. Information gaps and suggestions for future research to address those gaps will be identified.
e. Synthesis contracts are fixed-price with a total budget of $65,000 and an 11-month period of performance.
The topic statement outline is available here: Topic Statement Outline
(Clicking on the above links will open the document in a new window. If you do not see the document in a new window, please check your Downloads folder)
Please direct any questions you may have to MyTRB@nas.edu and use "NCHRP Synthesis” in the subject line.”