State, Planning and Research
Program Funding
Annual program obligations reported to SAM.gov.
Program Objective
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 transportation research activities throughout the State.
This Assistance Listing 20.258 created in August 2025 was included in the previous ALN 20.205 and 20.515. The new Assistance Listing 20.258 will be utilized by DOT at the start of FY 2026.
Eligibility
Eligible Applicants
- U.S. State Government
- Federally Recognized Tribal Government
- Municipality/Township Government
- Local Government Consortium
How to Apply
Award Procedure
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.
Program details & compliance
Description
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.
Mission Categories
Primary: Highways, Public Roads, and Bridges
Use of Funds
Allowed Uses
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.
Required Documentation
One of the requirements for using SP&R funds is that the State DOT must develop its own unique management plan, which establishes a process for conducting its research and technology (R&T) program. The FHWA Division Administrator must certify the plan. The Transportation Research Board's (TRB) National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) report, "Guide for Developing a State Transportation Research Manual" is a support document for developing a management plan.
The process that State DOTs use to manage their research programs varies considerably. Procedures vary from State to State for developing the plan and selecting the projects. Most States work with universities and other stakeholders.
The Standing Committee on Research (SCOR)/Research Advisory Committee (RAC) Web site has posted a survey on research programs in State DOTs. Information about research policies, research oversight committees, project selection processes, and the presence of the Local Technical Assistance Program can be found in the survey.
Reporting & Compliance
Applicable 2 CFR 200 Subparts
- Subpart B — General Provisions
- Subpart C — Pre-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart D — Post-Federal Award Requirements
- Subpart E — Cost Principles
- Subpart F — Audit Requirements