01005389

Component

http://onlinepubs.trb.org...epubs/trnews/trnews239.pdf

In the past 10 to 15 years transportation research programs have experienced a dramatic growth in earmarking--the specification of a research project, a funding amount, and the institutional recipient via Congressional legislation. After reviewing trends in the amounts of research funding earmarked under several U.S. Department of Transportation agency programs, this article examines the rationale for earmarking and identifies the risks. Noteworthy risks identified include pushing universities' energies in the wrong direction, adversely affecting mission-oriented research, reducing accountability for the expenditure of public funds, causing disadvantages for other transportation research stakeholders, and undermining respect for science and jeopardizing academic freedom.

Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved

English

pp 16-23

2005-7

TR News

Print

Figures (6) ; Photos; References (7)

Earmarks; Financing; Legislation; Research; Risk assessment; Stakeholders; Transportation; Universities and colleges

U.S. Department of Transportation; United States Congress

Accountability; Peer review

Administration and Management; Education and Training; Law; Research; Transportation (General); I10: Economics and Administration

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

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