Housing Policy Research Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity

The Housing Policy Research Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity is administered by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development through its Office of Policy Development and Research. This program represents a federal discretionary funding initiative designed to support rigorous, policy-relevant research that addresses critical housing challenges across the United States. HUD’s research arm is responsible for generating evidence that informs housing policy decisions at federal, state, and local levels, and this funding opportunity reflects a strategic effort to deepen understanding of housing affordability, homelessness, and economic development through Opportunity Zones. The primary purpose of the grant is to fund high-quality research projects that contribute to the understanding of housing policy issues, particularly those related to affordability crises, homelessness trends, and investment impacts in designated areas. Applicants are expected to produce actionable insights that can be applied in the short term by policymakers and practitioners. The program emphasizes evidence-based approaches, especially those capable of establishing causal relationships, and aligns with federal policy priorities related to reducing regulatory barriers, improving access to housing finance, and addressing cost-of-living pressures. Funding is provided through cooperative agreements, with approximately eight million dollars available to support around ten awards. Individual awards range from a minimum of one hundred thousand dollars to a maximum of one million five hundred thousand dollars. The performance period varies depending on project scope but must fall between twelve and thirty months. The program does not require cost sharing or matching contributions, which lowers barriers for eligible applicants. However, funds must be used strictly for allowable research-related activities, and certain costs, such as conducting dissertation-only research programs or generating profit, are explicitly prohibited. Eligibility is broad and includes state and local governments, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status, and for-profit entities including small businesses. Individuals are not eligible to apply. The program also encourages participation from minority-serving institutions such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Tribal Colleges. All applicants must meet federal eligibility standards, maintain compliance with civil rights requirements, and demonstrate organizational capacity to manage federal awards. The application process follows a two-phase structure. In Phase One, applicants submit a preliminary application consisting of a cover sheet and a concise narrative outlining the proposed research. HUD reviews these submissions and invites selected applicants to proceed to Phase Two, where a complete application is required. The full application includes detailed narratives, budget documentation, staff resumes, references, and supporting materials. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov, and applicants must maintain active registrations in SAM.gov and related systems. Evaluation occurs through a structured review process that includes threshold screening, merit review, and risk assessment. Proposals are assessed based on their contribution to knowledge, methodological soundness, team capacity, and budget reasonableness. HUD also considers organizational performance history and readiness to execute the proposed work. The agency retains discretion to ensure diversity in funding distribution across applicant types, geographic regions, and research topics. The application deadline for the initial phase is July 20, 2026, at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Awards are anticipated by mid-September 2026, with project activities expected to begin shortly thereafter. While the funding opportunity is newly introduced and not explicitly recurring, the structured timeline and federal research priorities suggest potential future iterations. Applicants are encouraged to prepare early due to registration requirements and the complexity of submission materials.

Ensure strong alignment with specified research topics and policy priorities; emphasize causal methodology and actionable insights; demonstrate team capacity and clear project management plan