Building for the Future: Research on Modernizing Building Codes to Advance Housing Affordability and Climate Resilience

Building codes and standards are critical levers for shaping housing supply, safety, and resilience. Yet they remain less studied than other land use and housing policies.

The Lincoln Institute invites proposals for applied research on how modernizing, aligning, and improving the adoption and enforcement of building codes and standards can address two of the nation’s most pressing challenges: the shortage of affordable housing and the growing risks of climate change and natural hazards. We seek research that examines how codes and standards influence housing supply, quality, and affordability; resilience to climate-related risks; governance and enforcement; and equity for vulnerable communities. This request for proposals (RFP) will support short-term projects that produce actionable evidence for policymakers, practitioners, and advocates. Awards will range from $20,000 to $50,000 for one year.

This RFP is open to researchers and research teams based at universities or nonprofit organizations, including think tanks and advocacy organizations. The application form will open on October 8, 2025, and the deadline to submit a proposal is November 5, 2025, 11:59 p.m., ET.  Awards will be announced by December 3, 2025, via email.