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Research Program Development Portal

Cars driving down two intersecting freeways in Michigan at sunset.
Department of Transportation

Research Program Development Portal

What should MDOT research?

MDOT's research program supports its mission of serving and connecting people, communities, and the economy through transportation. It engages internal and external stakeholders across all department areas, ensuring strategic priorities guide project selection and research implementation.

Executives set priorities, managers and experts develop programs, and RAd oversees the process to ensure timeliness, effectiveness, and compliance. RAd also leads a biannual planning process to approve a three-year research program and welcomes research ideas year-round.

Explore MDOT's research priorities
MDOT Research Administration Logo
A construction worker on the US-127 project.
A construction worker on the US-127 project.

Submit a research idea

If you have an idea that you would like to have considered as a future research project, complete and submit the research idea form. We are especially interested in ideas that address MDOT research priorities. 

Inspire us! Submit your research ideas

Developing research projects for 2027 through 2029

What do you need to do your job better? What problems need solving? From beginning to end, MDOT’s Research Administration will guide and support you every step of the way.

Call for research ideas

September - October 2025

Use the idea to highlight key challenges research can address.

Research idea selection

November 2025 - February 2026

Review submissions and select ideas for further development.

Problem statement development 

February - April 2026

Draft a problem statement on research needs and use.

Program development meetings

May 2026

Collaborate with colleagues and experts to discuss research ideas.

Research Program approval

May - August 2026

Approve problem statements and overall research program.

Problem statement solicitations

October 2026

MDOT invites proposals to address the problem statement.

Sign up for Research Stakeholders updates

 

Email updates regarding research and annual reports.

Sign up for SPRII RFP updates

 

Email updates regarding request for proposal (RFP) notifications.

Questions?

 

If you have any questions about developing a research project, feel free to reach out. MDOT's Research Administration is here to help put research to work for you!

Contact us at MDOT-Research@Michigan.gov.