The Center’s Industry Advisory Board (IAB) issues a Request for Proposals (RFP) document each year to solicit proposals for IAB-desired research topics from the faculty at our two university sites, Virginia Tech and the University of Akron. These areas of research are focused on tire and tire-related technology in materials, tire physics, testing, sustainability, and manufacturing. Submission of a proposal for a research topic not listed in the RFP document is also welcomed.
Submitted proposals are evaluated by the IAB through a two step process: the full form (7 page) proposal, and if requested a presentation at the Spring IAB meeting. Funding decisions are made by the IAB during their Spring meeting.
This process helps to assure that the proposals submitted by the faculty are of interest to the Center's members, resulting in a higher likelihood of funding. It also enhances the interactions with and support from the industry members during the conduction of the research.
