FY 2022 Authority to Accept Unsolicited Proposals for Research Partnerships
This Notice announces that HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research (PD&R) has the authority to accept unsolicited research proposals that address current research priorities. In accordance with statutory requirements, the research proposals must be submitted by eligible Page 3 of 31 applicants and provide cost sharing of at least 50 percent of total project cost from philanthropic entities or Federal, state, or local government agencies. This Notice announces that HUD is accepting research proposals for such research partnerships and provides a general description of information that should be included in any research proposal. The Department is interested in increasing participation of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) of higher education and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in all program areas. Therefore, HUD seeks proposals from MSIs and HBCUs as well as from eligible entities that are not themselves MSIs and HBCUs but have developed a partnership with one or more MSIs and/or HBCUs.
Unsolicited proposal - A valid unsolicited proposal must: (1) Be innovative; (2) Be independently originated and developed by the offeror; (3) Be prepared without Federal Government supervision, endorsement, direction, or direct Federal Government involvement; (4) Include sufficient detail to permit a determination that Federal Government support could be worthwhile and the proposed work could benefit the agency's research and development or other mission responsibilities; (5) Include sufficient detail to permit a determination that the Federal Government's support would yield a valuable return on investment; (6) Not be an advance proposal for a known agency requirement that can be acquired by competitive methods; (6) Not be a result of a previous competitive announcement; and (7) Not be a concept paper.
HUD developed the Research Partnerships vehicle to allow greater flexibility in addressing evidence gaps concerning strategic policy questions and to better utilize external expertise in evaluating effectiveness of programs affecting residents of urban, suburban, rural, and tribal areas, as well as local innovations in the delivery of these programs. Through the effective period of this Notice, HUD can accept unsolicited research proposals that address current research priorities and allow innovative research projects that could inform HUD’s policies and programs. Applicants are encouraged to submit research proposals that inform important policy and program objectives of HUD that are not otherwise being addressed, that focus on one of HUD’s research priorities, and that make effective use of HUD’s funding.
HUD's Fiscal year 2022-26 Learning Agenda (forthcoming at https://www.huduser.gov/portal/about/pdr_learningagenda.html) is the most recent integration of diverse stakeholder viewpoints into a five-year research and learning agenda. The Learning Agenda, like prior Research Roadmaps, focuses HUD’s research resources on timely, policy[1]relevant research questions that address strategic evidence gaps and lie within the Department’s area of comparative advantage. This focus on comparative advantage means that HUD and PD&R need to collaborate with other research organizations in areas that are mutually important. HUD also seeks independent research that will help the Department support communities that Page 4 of 31 have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality and that advances equity, civil rights, racial justice, and equal opportunity consistent with the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government (January 20, 2021).
HUD is making up to $2 million available for Lead and Healthy Homes Research Partnerships as described in Section I.B, Research Priorities 5 and 6, and approximately $1 million available for Research Partnerships for other topics as described in Section I.B. If HUD’s review of proposals for either Research Partnerships category does not result in the selection of eligible proposals that would use the entire allotment, the Agency will reallot the unused funds for other purposes authorized under the respective appropriations. Additional funds may become available for award. Use of these funds might be subject to statutory constraints or other requirements. All awards are subject to the funding restrictions contained in this notice. B. Number of Awards. The number of awards will be based on the number of eligible proposals HUD receives, reviews, approves, and funds. C. Minimum/Maximum Award Information. There are no minimum or maximum award amounts. A notification will be sent to applicants that request funding in amounts exceeding the remaining available funds; the notification will say that the proposal could be funded contingent upon funding in a future funding year or that the applicant can revise the proposal to apply for a reduced amount for up to the remaining available funds.
Program Office: Policy Development and Research
Funding Opportunity Title: Authority to Accept Unsolicited Proposals for Research Partnerships Announcement Type: Discretionary - Unsolicited
Funding Opportunity Number: FR-6600-N-USP
Estimated opening date: September 7, 2022
Estimated closing date: June 30th, 2023
FAQ-TBD
Agency Contact: HUD staff will be available to provide clarification on the content of this Notice. Questions regarding specific program requirements for this Notice should be directed to the point of contact listed below.
Name(s): Leatha Blanks, Grant Specialist, or Katina Jordan, Grant Specialist Phone: Ms. Blanks: 202–402–5821 or Ms. Jordan: 202-402-7577
Email: Leatha.M.Blanks@hud.gov katina.l.jordan@hud.gov
Persons with hearing or speech impairments may access these numbers via TTY by calling the toll-free Federal Relay Service at 800-877-8339. Please note that HUD staff cannot assist applicants in preparing their applications