FY 2026 Call For Proposals

TDOT Research Call  for Proposals

The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT)  is  pleased  to  announce  the  Fiscal  Year  2026  Research  Call  for Proposals.  We  are  now  accepting  submissions  for  twenty  (20)  approved  research  problem  statements  supporting  TDOT's  priorities  and  strategic  goals.

2026 Call for Proposals Links

Purpose

TDOT invites qualified universities and organizations to submit research proposals addressing TDOT’s priority needs. All  proposals must follow the TDOT Research Proposal Template and the instructions below.

Eligibility Requirements

  • Proposals may be submitted by Lead Principal Investigators from any accredited university.
  • Out-of-state institutions are eligible to participate as long as all payment eligibility requirements have been met.
  • A PI may submit up to three proposals and lead 3 projects maximum; with no limit on the number of projects they can serve on as a Co-PI.
  • Universities/Institutions may have multiple lead PIs.
  • Multi-institution submissions must identify one lead institution and one lead PI.

Submission Window

  • Opens: May 18, 2026
  • Closes: June 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST

Proposal Submission Instructions

The following steps provide a clear overview of the submission process from selecting a problem statement to submitting a completed proposal.

1. Select the Problem Statement(s)

  • Select up to three (3) problem statements from the 20 linked problem statements to develop your proposal.
  • Please note that the Research Request for Problem Statement (RRFPS) #4  has been removed, and the remaining statements were renumbered for this year’s Call for Projects.

2. Prepare the Proposal File

  • Download and use the required Proposal Template.
  • Prepare a 9-page Word document.
  • Ensure all required sections and instructions are followed.

3. Complete the Online Submission Form

  • Click the “Call for Research Proposals Form” link (see above) to complete the form.
  • The form captures submission details only and does not accept attachments.

4. Email the Proposal

  • Email the completed proposal Word document to TDOT.Research@tn.gov.
  • Do not email TDOT Lead Staff directly;  however, please contact the Research Office with any questions.
  • Use the required subject line format - Subject Line: Proposal for Problem Statement # ___

2026 Research Problem Statements

1 A Multi-Objective Modeling Approach to Optimize Asset Investment Strategies for Maintaining a State of Good Repair
2 Quantifying Natural Disaster Impacts on Transportation Infrastructure for Asset Management
3 Standard Pavement Distress Library to Support Data-Driven Pavement Asset Management
4 Bat Species Use of TDOT Structures and Interactive Data Tool
5 Building a Sustainable Pipeline to Recruit, Develop, and Educate the Transportation Workforce
6 Analysis Methods for Laterally Loaded Drilled Shaft Sockets
7 Best Practices for Design, Construction, and Repair of Side-Hill
8 Fiber-Optic Sensing for Slope Monitoring
9 Forensic Investigation of Premature Cracking in Asphalt Pavement in Region 4
10 High-Dose Coarse Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement to Improve Binder Retention and Crack Resistance of Asphalt Mixture with High Absorptive Aggregates
11 Laboratory Evaluation of Wicking Geotextile to Mitigate Soil Moisture‑Related Pavement Distress in Tennessee
12 Utilization of Open-Source Data to Monitor Slope Movement via AI or Machine Learning in GIS Environment and Corridor Risk Prioritization
13 Economic Return on Investment of TN's IMPROVE Transit Investment Grant Program
14 Unlocking Tennessee’s Waterways: Multimodal Strategies for Freight Efficiency and Connectivity
15 Development of a Research Maturity Model (RMM) for the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Research and  Innovation Program
16 Optimizing Concrete Culvert Load Rating
17 Design & Application of Stormwater Conveyance from Bridge Decks
18 Hyperspectral Imaging of Bridge Structures for Evidence of Decay
19 Monitoring of Measures Designed for AOP in Culvert Replacements
20 Seismic Vulnerability Evaluation Framework for Tennessee Bridges - Amended

2026 Expected Timeline

Milestone Date
Call for Proposals Opens May 18, 2026
Proposal Development Period May 18 - June 29, 2026
Official Deadline to Submit Proposals to TDOT June 29, 2026 11:59 PM CST
TDOT Review and Evaluation August 2026
Announcement of Research Awards Early September 2026

Please email questions to TDOT.Research@tn.gov. The Research Office will forward to the appropriate Lead Staff if necessary.