In response to the devastation caused along the Gulf Coast by hurricanes Katrina and Rita in summer 2005, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) joined with the Corporation for National and Community Service to launch Universities Rebuilding America Partnerships (URAP). This initiative, overseen by HUD's Office of University Partnerships, offered a one-time opportunity of funding and other resources to empower college and university students, faculty, and staff to lend their skills in rebuilding the Gulf Coast.

HUD provided $5.6 million to the URAP initiative; $2 million funded a collaborative design grant program to partner schools of architecture and planning with affected communities, and $3.6 million funded a grant program for Historically Black Colleges and Universities to provide sustained services to affected communities.

Eligible Applicants

• URAP-Community Design (CD): Public or private nonprofit institutions of higher education granting 2- and 4-year degrees in architecture, urban planning and design, or construction that are accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. A consortium of eligible institutions may also apply for funding under this program as long as one institution is designated the lead applicant. Institutions that were previous OUP grant recipients are eligible to apply for these funds.
• URAP-Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU): HBCUs as determined by the U.S. Department of Education (see 24 CFR 608.2) in accordance with the Department's responsibilities under Executive Order 13256, dated February 12, 2002, are eligible to apply for funding under this program. All applicants must be accredited by a national or regional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Please select one of the following to learn more about the URAP initiative and its grant programs:

• Download the URAP-CD Notice of Funding Availability (PDF).
• Download the URAP-HBCU Notice of Funding Availability (PDF).
• View URAP-CD Grantees.
• View URAP-HBCU Grantees.

Program Contacts