News from National

2026 Young Architects Award applications open with reduced fee
Applications are now being accepted for the national 2026 AIA Young Architects Award, with a new *reduced* application fee. Submissions are due August 28, 2025, so learn more and start your application today. Apply >

Adventures in Hygrothermal Modeling (1 LU | HSW)
This AIAU course will show you why every architecture firm should be doing in-house hygrothermal modeling. Learn more >

Healthcare Design Conference and Expo registration now openThe Academy of Architecture for Health (AAH) is proud to serve as an association partner at the Healthcare Design Conference + Expo, taking place October 25–28 in Kansas City, Mo. Offering opportunities for networking, education, and product exploration, don’t miss this premier event, including the STERIS Student Design Charrette, NextGen Forum, Academy Update and Reception, and more engaging sessions. Advance registration ends August 19. Learn more >

House FY26 HUD Spending Bill reported, action expected this week
The House Appropriations Committee recently advanced its FY26 spending bill for HUD on a 35–28 party-line vote. The bill proposes $67.8 billion for affordable housing, homelessness, and community development—$939 million below FY25.
While avoiding deeper cuts proposed by the President, it still reduces funding to several AIA priorities, including the elimination of the HOME project, cuts to rental assistance, and flat funding for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG).
The Senate Appropriations Committee is expected to mark up its version on July 24, offering a chance to revise harmful cuts. AIA is urging Congress to:

  • Restore HOME funding to at least $2.5B

  • Fully fund CDBG at $4.2B

  • Increase Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes funding to $400M, including $140M for Healthy Homes Program Grants

Learn how you can engage >

EDspaces: Designing the Future of Education
Join your peers at EDspaces, November 5–7, in Columbus, Ohio, for the premier event dedicated to transforming learning environments. This dynamic event is a convergence point for a diverse group of professionals, including architects, designers, facility planners, educational administrators, distributors, and the manufacturers and reps who work with them. The Super Early Bird registration deadline is July 31. (Committee on Architecture for Education)

COTE Network Q3 Call: August 5 at 2pm ET
Join a discussion with over 60 Committee on the Environment groups throughout the country. Register >

News from National

Resources & Programs

Introduction to Sustainability Action Plans (SAP)
What is a SAP, and how can it help translate a firm’s values and mission into operations, culture, and design processes? This webinar will briefly go through the newly revised AIA resource, “Creating a Sustainability Action Plan that works,” and how to utilize it to shape your firm’s SAP.
August 5 I 1pm ET I Register >

Support women in AEC, sponsor WLS 2025!
Join leading firms like Cannon, HDR, Hart Howerton, Payette, and Perkins + Will in sponsoring Women’s Leadership Summit 2025—showcasing the work and innovations that define your practice while building meaningful connections with future collaborators and industry leaders. With more than 800 industry leaders expected to attend, WLS 2025 puts your work in the spotlight. Sponsoring this event signals your commitment to advancing women in AEC, a value shared by clients, partners, and the next generation of talent. 

New from AIA Trust: Climate risk is changing—advise clients accordingly
Architects face growing legal and professional risks if they don’t address climate impacts beyond code. The Climate Risk Factsheet—developed by Marsh and available through AIA Trust—arms your members with essential knowledge to navigate future-based climate modeling, site-specific risks, and client expectations. Members can build resilient practices and reduce liability with this high-impact tool.
Explore the Climate Risk Factsheet

AIA Advocacy Update: Reconciliation-HR 1 

The House has solidified their version of the HR-1 bill and the Senate will begin working on their part to meet the GOP deadline by July 4. The bill is far from perfect regarding a wide range of issues affecting tax and spending policies outside of AIA’s policy priorities but does currently include several wins on issues AIA members save been asking Congress to support for the last few years.

Included in the bill are positive provisions related to immediate expensing of R/D costs, an increase from 20% to 23% in the small business pass through deduction, and an increase from 9% to 12.5% for the Low Income Housing Tax Credit. Regrettably, the House has chosen to cut back or eliminate a number of Inflation Reduction Act energy efficiency incentives that AIA supports, but the Senate has signaled it will restore many of those incentives if/when the bill makes it to their chamber.

Stay informed on the Government Affairs Forum >