Submit
A Proposal
In an effort to more closely align with the priorities of our industry partners, all new research or education proposals must be recommended by a committee of either the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) or the American Cement Association (ACA) before they can be considered for funding.
Organizations or individuals interested in pursuing a research or education project are encouraged to engage with the appropriate NRMCA or ACA committee to discuss potential ideas aligned with industry priorities.
For questions about proposal eligibility or the committee recommendation process, please contact Julia Garbini.
OUR GUIDELINES
The Concrete Advancement Foundation funds research and education programs that align with our mission to serve as a resilient resource supporting concrete as the leading sustainable building material while advancing decarbonization, resilient communities, and sustainable infrastructure.
Funding priorities generally include:
- Research, including sustainability, decarbonization, and related projects
- Recruitment, education, and workforce training initiatives
- Durability and technical advancement within the concrete industry
Additional guidelines include:
- The Foundation does not engage in proprietary research.
- The Foundation does not fund advocacy or promotional programs. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all programs must benefit the citizens of the United States in addition to the concrete industry.
- We avoid duplication of effort and generally do not support projects that replicate existing or ongoing research.
- Research topics should have broad relevance, with applicability on a large regional, national, or international scale.
- Partnerships are strongly encouraged, including collaboration with universities, industry groups, and other funding organizations.
- The Foundation prioritizes specific, applied research and education programs, rather than general funding requests for organizations or ongoing activities.
- The Foundation does not fund sponsorships, ongoing association operations, website development, traditional corporate leadership training activities, political lobbying, or other routine industry activities carried out by industry-related organizations.
- The Concrete Advancement Foundation reserves the right to retain copyright ownership of work products resulting from Foundation grants.
PROPOSAL CONSIDERATIONS
Recommended proposals are evaluated to ensure alignment with the Foundation’s mission, industry priorities, and potential for meaningful impact.
Key considerations include:
- Relevance and importance to the concrete industry
- Strength of the proposed approach and methodology
- Cost-effectiveness and feasibility
- Measurable outcomes and clear evaluation plans
- Qualifications of the organization and project team
- Opportunities to leverage additional funding or partnerships
- Ability to broadly share findings and benefit the industry
- Potential for replication or broader application
The Foundation works closely with NRMCA and ACA committees to identify and prioritize research and education initiatives that address evolving industry needs.
As part of this effort, the
NRMCA Research Engineering & Standards Committee Task Group has developed a
research list outlining topics of interest to the ready mixed concrete industry. This list serves as a guide to current priorities. Inclusion does not guarantee funding, and projects outside of the list may still be considered if recommended by the appropriate committee.