Authority to Accept Unsolicited Proposals for Research Partnerships Notice of Intent (NOI)
Can you apply?
This grant is for organizations interested in conducting high-quality research on housing and community development topics aligned with HUD priorities.
Eligible applicants typically include nonprofits, universities, research institutions, and government agencies with strong research capacity. Organizations must propose original, independent research developed by the applicant organization itself.
Projects must focus on HUD research priorities like housing affordability, homelessness, industrialized housing production, Opportunity Zones, or outcomes related to work, family, and housing stability. Cost sharing of at least 50% of total project cost is required by statute.
Funding is provided through cooperative agreements, meaning HUD will actively engage throughout the project to ensure alignment with Department priorities and research quality standards.
⚖️ Cost sharing / matching required — applicants must contribute their own funds.
Key dates
- May 12, 2026 Applications open
- May 12, 2027 Application deadline in 344 days
- May 12, 2027 Award announced
- May 16, 2027 Project start
This grant is for organizations interested in conducting high-quality research on housing and community development topics aligned with HUD priorities.
Eligible applicants typically include nonprofits, universities, research institutions, and government agencies with strong research capacity. Organizations must propose original, independent research developed by the applicant organization itself.
Projects must focus on HUD research priorities like housing affordability, homelessness, industrialized housing production, Opportunity Zones, or outcomes related to work, family, and housing stability. Cost sharing of at least 50% of total project cost is required by statute.
Funding is provided through cooperative agreements, meaning HUD will actively engage throughout the project to ensure alignment with Department priorities and research quality standards.
Program description
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) expects to release a Notice inviting eligible organizations to submit unsolicited research proposals focused on HUD’s current housing and community development research priorities. The goal of this Notice is to support independent, high-quality research that helps build reliable evidence and provides practical insights to inform housing policy and program decisions at the local, state, and Federal levels.
Applicants will be expected to propose projects that align with the purpose of the program and at least one research category identified in the Notice. Projects must include matching funds equal to at least 50 percent of the total project cost, as required by statute. Awards are expected to be made as cooperative agreements, which means HUD will be actively involved throughout the project to help ensure the research is relevant, well designed, and aligned with Department priorities.
PD&R expects to prioritize research on topics such as housing affordability, homelessness, industrialized housing production, Opportunity Zones, and outcomes related to work, family, and housing stability for households assisted by HUD. Other topics aligned with HUD’s Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Performance Plan and the Department’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan may also be considered. Proposals must be original, developed independently by the applicant, and submitted as complete research plans that use strong and appropriate research methods consistent with the principles of Gold Standard Science.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
Details
This grant is for organizations interested in conducting high-quality research on housing and community development topics aligned with HUD priorities.
Eligible applicants typically include nonprofits, universities, research institutions, and government agencies with strong research capacity. Organizations must propose original, independent research developed by the applicant organization itself.
Projects must focus on HUD research priorities like housing affordability, homelessness, industrialized housing production, Opportunity Zones, or outcomes related to work, family, and housing stability. Cost sharing of at least 50% of total project cost is required by statute.
Funding is provided through cooperative agreements, meaning HUD will actively engage throughout the project to ensure alignment with Department priorities and research quality standards.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Complete research proposal/plan
- Project narrative describing research design and methodology
- Budget and budget narrative with cost-sharing documentation
- Organizational capacity statement
- Matching funds commitment letters
- Evidence of research team qualifications
Program contact
- 👤 Research Partnerships
- 📧 researchpartnerships@hud.gov
- 📞 -
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 14.506 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$3,999,998
-
$3,207,839
-
$3,000,000
-
$3,000,000
-
$2,500,000
-
$2,459,527
-
$1,832,634
-
$1,694,702
-
$1,000,002
-
$882,054
Top States by Funding
- TX 6 awards $10.9M
- NC 5 awards $7.2M
- MD 7 awards $4.2M
- AZ 2 awards $3.7M
- DC 9 awards $3.0M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 14.506). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $2,999,000 | |
| 2025 | $7,357,807 | |
| 2026 est. | $44,000,000 |
FAQ
What types of organizations can apply for this grant?
Nonprofits, universities, research institutions, and government agencies can apply. Your organization must have research capacity and ability to contribute 50% matching funds.
What are the research topic priorities?
HUD prioritizes research on housing affordability, homelessness, industrialized housing production, Opportunity Zones, and work/family/housing stability outcomes. Other topics aligned with HUD's 2026–2030 Strategic Plan may be considered.
Is matching funding required?
Yes, you must provide matching funds equal to at least 50% of your total project cost. This is a statutory requirement.
What does "cooperative agreement" mean for my project?
HUD will be actively involved throughout your project. You should expect regular collaboration to ensure your research stays relevant and aligned with Department priorities.
When is the deadline and how competitive is this?
The deadline is May 12, 2027. The total funding pool is $2 million, making this moderately competitive. Strong research design and clear alignment with HUD priorities increase competitiveness.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Clearly demonstrate how your research directly addresses at least one HUD research priority. Use specific language from the Notice to show alignment.
- Develop realistic matching funds sources before applying. Document commitments from partners or your organization's contribution capacity early.
- Design your research methodology according to Gold Standard Science principles. Use strong, appropriate research methods and clearly justify your approach.
- Build in regular communication points with HUD in your project plan. Cooperative agreements require active engagement, not just end-of-year reporting.
- Start your literature review and research design immediately. Unsolicited proposals must be complete, well-developed research plans—not preliminary concepts.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing research that doesn't align with HUD's stated priorities or strategic plan. Weak research methodology or failure to demonstrate Gold Standard Science principles. Underestimating the 50% cost-sharing requirement or providing unclear matching fund commitments.
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