Authority to Accept Unsolicited Proposals for Research Partnerships Notice of Intent (NOI) | PDR 2600 DC 0USP

Opportunity Information: Apply for PDR 2600 DC 0USP

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), through its Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R), is planning to release a Notice that will let eligible organizations submit unsolicited research proposals tied to HUDs current housing and community development research priorities. The overall aim is to encourage independent, rigorous research that strengthens the evidence base and produces practical findings HUD and other decision-makers can use when shaping housing policy and program choices at the local, state, and federal levels. While the proposals are unsolicited (meaning they originate with the applicant rather than HUD commissioning a specific study), they still need to clearly match HUDs stated priorities and fit within at least one research category that will be identified in the upcoming Notice.

Funding under this opportunity is expected to be awarded through cooperative agreements, not standard grants. In practice, that means HUD plans to stay actively involved during the life of each project to help ensure the work remains relevant, methodologically sound, and aligned with departmental needs. Applicants should be prepared for a more hands-on federal partnership than a typical pass-through award, including coordination with HUD staff on research design, implementation decisions, and how results are communicated. HUD is emphasizing strong research approaches consistent with what it calls Gold Standard Science, signaling an expectation for credible designs, appropriate methods, and transparent analysis plans that can withstand serious scrutiny.

HUD expects to prioritize proposals that address topics such as housing affordability, homelessness, industrialized housing production, Opportunity Zones, and outcomes connected to work, family well-being, and housing stability for households receiving HUD assistance. The Notice also leaves room for other topics, as long as they align with HUDs Fiscal Year 2026 Annual Performance Plan and the departments 2026-2030 Strategic Plan. In other words, the most competitive proposals are likely to be the ones that tackle pressing, policy-relevant questions that HUD is already signaling as central to its near-term strategy, and that can produce findings with clear implications for program design or implementation.

A major requirement is cost sharing: projects must include matching funds equal to at least 50 percent of the total project cost, as required by statute. Applicants therefore need to bring substantial non-federal support to the table, whether through cash contributions, allowable in-kind resources, or a combination, consistent with the rules that will be spelled out in the final Notice. Another key budget rule is that profit is not allowed. Applicants cannot include profit as a line item, and HUD will not permit recipients to earn profit from these awards, so budgets need to be structured as true cost-reimbursement for allowable project expenses only.

Eligibility is limited to organizations, not individuals. The eligible applicant types listed include philanthropic entities, other federal agencies, state or local governments (and their agencies), Indian Tribes, tribally designated housing entities, and colleges or universities. Faith-based organizations may apply on the same basis as other organizations, and HUD explicitly states it does not engage in unlawful or improper conduct that targets faith-based organizations. At the same time, certain entities are clearly excluded: individuals are ineligible, and foreign entities and sole proprietorship organizations are not eligible to compete for or receive awards under this announcement.

The Notice also gives a specific definition for philanthropic entities for this program: they must be 501(c)(3) organizations that officially fund research or charitable work. Examples given include private foundations, public charities, school-based foundations, and operating foundations. If an applicant is a philanthropic entity, or is partnering with one, the proposal must include documentation proving the organization funds research or charitable activities. HUD will also verify nonprofit status using IRS data, so applicants should ensure their organizational information is current and consistent with IRS records.

From the source details provided, this is a discretionary funding opportunity (CFDA 14.506) with the funding instrument type listed as a cooperative agreement, and activity categories that include housing and research and development. The opportunity number is PDR 2600 DC 0USP. HUD anticipates making around eight awards. The listing shows an original closing date of 2027-06-09, and the award ceiling is shown as 0, which typically indicates the cap is not specified in the synopsis and would need to be confirmed in the full Notice once released.

• The Department of Housing and Urban Development in the housing, science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Authority to Accept Unsolicited Proposals for Research Partnerships Notice of Intent (NOI)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 14.506.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2026-06-09.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-06-09.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 8 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Others.

Apply for PDR 2600 DC 0USP

[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal: