Download your copy of the 2022-2023 ACEC Research Institute Achievement Report.

Washington, DC–The ACEC Research Institute is thrilled to announce a major donation from HDR, a leading engineering and consulting firm, which will bolster the Institute’s research capabilities and advance its mission of driving innovation and excellence in the engineering industry. This substantial contribution will enable the ACEC Research Institute to continue to expand its portfolio of groundbreaking research […]

The ACEC Research Institute released last week the results of its Q1 2023 Engineering Business Sentiment Study. The report showed that optimism within the industry remains extremely high across the board, among all market sectors and within all geographic regions. The results were unveiled in a webinar hosted by Institute Executive Director Daphne Bryant and Senior Research Consultant […]

Sector made roaring post-COVID recovery in 2021, generating $373B in direct economic output Washington, D.C. (Oct 17, 2022) — The engineering and design services sector made a full recovery from the pandemic in 2021 and looks poised to deliver a historically high economic output of $413.3 billion, a 10.9% year-over-year rise, according to the newest […]

Washington, D.C. — The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Research Institute today released a new study with the University of Colorado Boulder that examines the benefits and challenges both the project owners and firms face when applying the design-build (DB) delivery system. Design Build State of Practice: Recommendations for Agencies and Industry on Effective […]

Firms Remain Optimistic Despite Growing Concern Over the Economy Washington, D.C. – Today, the ACEC Research Institute released its Q2 2022 Engineering Business Sentiment report findings. This survey of 600 engineering executives across the engineering and design industry offers a comprehensive look at current and future conditions in engineering and the larger economy through a net […]

ACEC Research Institute Releases Comprehensive Study on use of Qualifications-Based Selection (QBS) for Engineering and Design Projects WASHINGTON, DC (March 10, 2022) – The ACEC Research Institute released a comprehensive study today that found federal and state policies that select engineering services based on the design team’s qualifications and experience had lower project costs and […]

Optimism for Engineering Industry Surges In Face of Growing Pessimism on U.S. Economy  Washington, DC – The ACEC Research Institute released its second quarterly Engineering Business Sentiment study, which surveyed more than 600 ACEC member firm executives to glean insights into their outlook on the engineering and design industry as whole and the nation’s economy […]

The ACEC Research Institute released two new reports on the Engineering and Design Services industry: the 2021 Economic Assessment of the Engineering and Design Services Industry and a new Engineering Business Sentiment report for Q4 2021. The data shows the industry has rebounded from project postponements due to COVID, though firms identify a tight labor […]

Like many parts of the economy, the engineering sector has been negatively affected by the COVID-induced downturn. Based on the federal government’s own numbers, the engineering and design sector’s revenue declined by 7% in 2020, and the ACEC Research Institute’s newly released 2021-2025 Engineering Industry Forecast is forecasting another 4% decline in 2021 before recovery […]

Washington, DC (February 3, 2021)— The Engineering and Architectural Industry is a significant driver of the U.S. economy supporting $600 Billion in GDP, according to a new study conducted by the ACEC Research Institute—the leading source of knowledge and thought leadership in the engineering space.  The engineering and architectural services sector’s 2019 revenue totaled $386 […]

Washington, DC (January 11, 2021)— The Engineering and Architectural Services sector directly employs more than 1.5 million Americans and supports an additional 3 million indirect jobs – making up 3 percent of all U.S. jobs. This is according to a first-of-its-kind industry profile out today from the ACEC Research Institute—the leading source of knowledge and […]

Washington, D.C. – A panel of national infrastructure funding experts urged incorporation of new strategies outlined in “America’s New Playbook for Infrastructure” which implores for a fundamental shift away from the current top-down and outmoded federal funding model, including providing local governments more autonomy on local infrastructure needs. ACEC Research Institute Chair John Carrato, president […]

Washington, D.C. – Despite the challenging economy, an increasing majority of U.S. engineering firm leaders (68%) say their firm’s finances have improved or at least remained the same since COVID-19 paralyzed the marketplace in March—a significant increase over the 58% who affirmed the same in May, according to the latest ACEC Research Institute Business Impact Survey. […]

Washington, DC – The ACEC Research Institute, in conjunction with Accelerator for America, offered a complimentary webinar series taking a “deep dive” into a new playbook of national infrastructure policy developed by a diverse group of America’s mayors. Each recommendation has been driven by local innovation, with cities serving as testbeds for experimentation and transferable […]

A roundtable of economic and policy experts said that even after a COVID–19 vaccine is discovered, it could take many engineering markets years to recover from the pandemic’s impact. “Funding in the New Normal” is the third of a virtual roundtable series sponsored by the ACEC Research Institute. More than 160 participants from throughout the […]

Washington, D.C. – A roundtable of engineering industry experts said Thursday that COVID-19 will force retrofitting of existing buildings, and future building design measures to enhance post-pandemic safety and comfort for occupants. “The Buildings We Live and Work In” is the second in a three-part virtual roundtable series sponsored by the ACEC Research Institute. More than […]

Washington, D.C. – A roundtable of engineering industry futurists said Thursday the industry’s future will require more engineers, feature new technology-based best practices, and result in an enhanced appreciation of infrastructure as a key component to the nation’s quality of life. “The Impact of Technology on Engineering” is the first in a three-part roundtable series […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The COVID-19 pandemic caused an unprecedented disruption in America’s economy, which extended to the engineering industry. To gauge the effect of the economic shutdown on design firms, the ACEC Research Institute – the research arm of the American Council of Engineering Companies – conducted a series of surveys to accurately measure the […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – A majority of U.S. engineering firm leaders report their businesses are engaging in more COVID-19 pandemic response and are seeing other areas of their businesses outperforming today compared to just a few weeks ago, the latest ACEC Research Institute Business Impact Survey 7 reveals.   Results show that 16% of engineering firms […]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – More U.S. engineering firm leaders now believe a “return to normal” for their businesses will take between 12-18 months, a significant increase compared to nearly a month ago, the latest ACEC Research Institute Business Impact Survey 6 reveals.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Engineering firm owners believe they are better prepared for ownership transition and management succession (OTMS) than they actually are, according to a survey by the ACEC Research Institute and FMI Capital Advisors.

Washington, DC – The American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) announced today that it is expanding its research and thought leadership capabilities with the formation of the ACEC Research Institute. The Institute replaces ACEC’s former Research and Management Foundation and will work to become the leading source of knowledge and thought leadership for creating a more sustainable, safe, secure and technically advanced built environment.