Pet-Inclusive Rental Housing Research

The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) is currently offering a targeted funding opportunity focused on pet-inclusive rental housing through its 2026 Special Request for Proposals. HABRI is a well-established private foundation that supports scientific research on the health benefits of human-animal interaction. This special initiative runs parallel to its annual funding cycle and seeks to address the urgent and multifaceted challenges of access to pet-inclusive rental housing across the United States. The goal is to generate actionable research that can influence housing policies, support renters and property owners, and improve outcomes for communities and companion animals alike. The need for pet-inclusive housing is pressing, as restrictive rental policies often force pet owners to relinquish their animals or face housing insecurity. HABRI invites research proposals that will explore the economic, social, and public health implications of expanding pet-friendly rental options. Key areas of interest include cost-benefit analyses for landlords and municipalities, policy effectiveness, community-based programs, and barriers to implementation, especially in affordable housing sectors. Applicants are encouraged to investigate how pet-friendly policies impact renter stability, municipal budgets, and community livability. This special call for proposals welcomes submissions from a diverse array of U.S.-based entities, including academic researchers, economists, policy experts, advocacy groups, and rental housing providers. Collaborative efforts between researchers and community organizations are especially encouraged. All methodological approaches—quantitative, qualitative, or mixed—are acceptable. Early-career and non-traditional scholars are also encouraged to apply, and proposals may include implementation studies, applied research, surveys, and cost analyses. Applicants must follow specific guidelines when submitting. The full proposal, not exceeding 20MB and including all required documents, should be submitted in a single PDF to submissions@habri.org. The subject line and file name must read “HABRI 2026 Housing Proposal – [PI Last Name]”. Key components include a scientific abstract, a detailed study proposal of no more than six pages, itemized budgets with justifications, regulatory and ethical plans, and biographical data for all investigators. Proposals must align with HABRI's mission and demonstrate scientific rigor, a strong analytic plan, and feasible participant recruitment. Proposals are due by February 26, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET. Submissions will be evaluated by an independent board of interdisciplinary experts using a published scoring rubric. Evaluators will assess relevance, scientific rigor, investigator capability, cost efficiency, and the study’s potential impact on renters, landlords, municipalities, and pets. Funded projects must undergo IRB review and must begin no earlier than September 1 following the review process. This special RFP is recurring in nature and issued independently of HABRI’s general annual call. HABRI typically funds 5–6 projects annually, with individual project budgets averaging around $50,000 and durations of approximately 20 months. Questions about eligibility or formatting should be directed to Matt Cryer at mcryer@habri.org. More details, including budget templates and FAQs, are available at www.habri.org.

Clearly articulate study design and expected outcomes; tailor proposal to impact housing and pet-inclusive policy; include actionable implementation plans; adhere strictly to format