Housing Policy Research Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity

The Housing Policy Research Grant Notice of Funding Opportunity is administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development through its Office of Policy Development and Research. This program is designed to support rigorous, policy-relevant research that addresses critical housing challenges across the United States. HUD’s research arm has a long-standing role in informing federal housing policy, and this funding opportunity reflects a strategic effort to generate actionable, evidence-based insights that can influence decision-making at the federal, state, and local levels. The program emphasizes research that not only expands academic knowledge but also produces practical tools and recommendations for policymakers and communities. The primary purpose of the grant is to fund high-quality research projects that examine housing affordability, homelessness, and Opportunity Zones. Applicants must align their proposals with one of nine specific research topics outlined in the notice, each of which includes defined research questions. These topics are grouped into three broad categories: housing affordability, homelessness, and economic development through Opportunity Zones. HUD is particularly interested in research that can establish causal relationships and produce early deliverables within the first year, such as policy briefs or preliminary findings, to support timely policy interventions. Funding is provided through cooperative agreements, with HUD maintaining substantial involvement throughout the project lifecycle. This includes reviewing and approving research designs, monitoring progress, and providing access to relevant data resources when feasible. The total available funding is approximately $8,000,000, with an estimated 10 awards to be distributed. Individual awards range from a minimum of $100,000 to a maximum of $1,500,000. The period of performance varies by project but must fall between 12 and 30 months, depending on the complexity and scope of the proposed research. Eligible applicants include a wide range of organizational types such as state and local governments, public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit entities including small businesses. Individuals are not eligible to apply. Applicants must also meet federal eligibility requirements, including maintaining an active SAM.gov registration and resolving any outstanding civil rights violations prior to application. Notably, the program does not require cost sharing or matching funds, which lowers the barrier to entry for many organizations. The application process is structured as a two-phase competition. In Phase 1, applicants must submit a preliminary application consisting of a cover sheet and a narrative limited to five pages. HUD will review these submissions for responsiveness, feasibility, and alignment with policy priorities. Selected applicants will then be invited to submit a complete application in Phase 2, which includes a more detailed narrative, budget documentation, resumes of key personnel, and supporting materials. Applicants have 30 days from notification to submit their full application. Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov by 11:59 PM Eastern Time on June 1, 2026. Late submissions are not accepted. Required application components include standard federal forms such as the SF-424, as well as narratives and supporting documentation depending on the application phase. Evaluation criteria for Phase 2 include the contribution of the proposed research, methodological rigor, team capacity, and budget reasonableness. Final award decisions also consider risk assessments and alignment with program priorities. HUD anticipates announcing awards around September 15, 2026, with project start dates estimated for October 1, 2026 and completion by March 30, 2029. Award recipients will be required to comply with federal reporting requirements, including quarterly progress reports and final deliverables. Contact for program-related inquiries is available through HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research via email at researchpartnerships@hud.gov or by phone at 202-402-4354.

Focus on causal research design and alignment with HUD policy priorities; ensure methodology is rigorous and feasible; clearly link research questions to data sources and deliver actionable policy insights