FACT SHEET

2023

EXCELLENCE AWARDS PROGRAM 

For more than 45 years, the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) 

Transportation Pooled Fund (TPF) Program has enabled public and private 

entities to collaboratively conduct cutting-edge transportation research. 

Through the TPF Program, participants are able to pool funds and expertise 

to develop innovative solutions at a lower cost while extending the reach and 

impact of their research. 

The upcoming TPF Excellence Awards will recognize outstanding TPF studies that have made significant 

impacts toward advancing national research efforts in the areas of safety, economic growth, equity, and/or 

transformative climate solutions. The future award will highlight the importance of meaningful collaboration 

and partnership in transportation research. Administered through a partnership between FHWA and the 

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the biennial TPF 

Excellence Awards will recognize two TPF studies, with at least one led by a State department of 

transportation.

WHERE AND WHEN WILL THE AWARDS 

BE PRESENTED?

The awards will be presented at the annual summer 

AASHTO Research Advisory Committee meeting.

HOW SHOULD ENTRIES BE SUBMITTED

AND WHAT IS THE SUBMISSION FORMAT?

Nominations can be submitted via email to 

TPFExcellenceAwards@dot.gov. Nominations will be 

received starting 08/08/2023.

Nominations should be limited to two pages and 

follow the provided template. The nomination 

template as well as other supporting materials will 

be available on the TPF Website. A panel of judges, 

changed for every award cycle, will review the 

submitted nominations. 

Spring Year 1

Develop selection criteria

Summer Year 1

Market & advertise award program

Summer Year 1

Call for nominations

Summer Year 2

Host award ceremony

Fall Year 1

Send to judges panel for review

Summer Year 1

Market & advertise award program

AWARD TIMELINE

AWARD CYCLE 

The award cycle will begin 

every other January with the 

TPF Excellence Awards task 

force soliciting project 

nominations for outstanding

collaborative research efforts.
2023

EXCELLENCE AWARDS PROGRAM 

FACT SHEET

WHO CAN NOMINATE A TPF STUDY?

Anyone can submit a TPF study nomination for the 

TPF Excellence Awards.

CRITERIA FOR SUBMISSION AND SELECTION

Nominations can be submitted for TPF studies that meet the following qualifications:

The nominated TPF study must 

have a posted a final deliverable 

by June 30 of the year of the 

award ceremony. 

The results from the nominated 

TPF study have led to measurable 

benefits for the transportation 

industry.

The submission should follow the 

nomination template. 

The project addresses a 

demonstrated need or problem

related to the transportation

industry.

DO YOU WANT TO SHOWCASE AND 

GAIN RECOGNITION FOR YOUR GREAT 

RESEARCH? SUBMIT A NOMINATION!

Highlight the great work achieved through the 

TPF Program and gain national recognition by 

submitting a nomination!

Nominations will be accepted through

September 2023.

Recommended citation: 

Federal Highway Administration, 

TPF Excellence Awards Fact Sheet 

(Washington, DC: 2022)

https://doi.org/10.21949/1521928

FHWA-HRT-22-099

HRDI-10/09-22(WEB)E

HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?

For any questions about the upcoming 

TPF Excellence Awards, please contact 

TPFExcellenceAwards@dot.gov.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Please visit https://www.pooledfund.org.

Other criteria to be considered include:

• Demonstrates strong collaboration between

study participants.

• Illustrates how the research adds value to the

transportation industry.

• Describes the research’s utility to

transportation partners.