Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Sign Research Foundation (SRF)

The Sign Research Foundation (SRF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the science, technology, design, placement, and regulation of signs. Based in Alexandria, Virginia, SRF funds academic and applied research projects and then disseminates the results through an extensive library of publications, webinars, tools, and training. Its work serves urban planners, sign code officials, designers, fabricators, retailers, and community leaders who depend on evidence-based guidance for effective signage and wayfinding systems.

Each year, SRF’s Research Committee analyzes emerging issues in the sign and graphics field and issues requests for proposals. Academics, graduate students, and subject-matter experts are invited to submit research ideas that address priority questions on topics such as sign legibility, wayfinding, economic impact, regulatory best practices, materials, and technology. Selected projects receive SRF research grants and must be completed on an agreed timeline, generally within 18 months.

SRF’s grantmaking focuses on clearly defined methods of research—fundamental academic research, collaborative university–industry projects, and research in practice by agencies, nonprofits, corporations and consultants. Proposals must align with at least one core focus area, including consumer perceptions of signage, legal issues, sign design guidelines, placement and legibility, sign regulations, economic value and ROI, technical standards, and wayfinding best practices.

In addition to direct research grants, SRF supports professional development through education and scholar programs. The SRF Scholars Program, for example, selects a cohort of planners, architects, code officials and community developers to participate in an intensive multi-day learning experience, providing complimentary workshop access, entry to the ISA Sign Expo, hotel accommodations and a travel stipend. These initiatives extend the impact of SRF-funded research into day-to-day practice in cities and organizations.

While detailed scoring criteria are not listed, the structure of the grants program—committee review, prescribed research methods, and focus areas—indicates an emphasis on methodological rigor, relevance to real-world signage challenges, and usefulness to regulators and practitioners. Projects are expected to produce practical outputs such as planning guides, manuals, model codes, glossaries, and tools like visibility calculators. These outputs populate SRF’s open research library and underpin training offerings for the International Sign Association and other partners.

SRF reports having assisted tens of thousands of professionals worldwide through its research, education and outreach programs. Its publications are used by planners and economic development officials to update sign codes, improve wayfinding, support historic preservation of signs, and integrate signage considerations into placemaking strategies. By combining grant-funded research, curated education and strategic partnerships, the foundation helps communities become safer, more navigable and economically vibrant through better signage systems.