News from National

FYI

ROAD to Housing Act of 2025

The bipartisan ROAD to Housing Act of 2025 seeks to expand housing opportunities, streamline regulations, modernize federal programs, and spur innovation in housing development. Addressing affordability, supply, resilience, and new paths to homeownership, it includes major HUD reforms. AIA supports efforts to expand affordable housing, protect vital programs, and advocates for increased funding for HOME, CDBG, and reforms that promote innovation and permit streamlining.

ACTION

Next to Lead applications close August 8
Next to Lead is the first program of its kind to support association leadership for ethnically diverse women aspiring to be leaders of the AIA—at the local, state, or national level. The cohort will engage in a ten-month program aimed at enhancing their association leadership acumen, and tackling challenges faced by women in the workplace and the architecture profession. Participants benefit from monthly virtual learning opportunities and in-person workshops, led by expert speakers and AIA staff. 

2026 AIA Awards: Key deadlines 
The 2026 AIA Awards season is officially underway! Below is a summary of important submission deadlines. For more information on awards deadlines, including Fellowship application deadlines, visit AIA Awards online. 

✅ Due August 7, 2025 

  • AIA/ACSA Topaz Medallion for Architectural Education

  • Architecture Firm Award

  • Edward C. Kemper Award

  • Gold Medal

  • Whitney M. Young Jr. Award

✅ Due August 28, 2025 

  • AIA Associate Award

  • Award for Excellence in Public Architecture

  • Honorary AIA Membership

  • Young Architect Award


2026 AIA Associates Award: Now with fewer letters required!
The 2026 AIA Associates Award is open for applications, closing 5pm ET on August 28. New! This year, letters of recommendation have been reduced from seven (7) required to only three (3)! Don't miss this opportunity for national recognition—start your application today. Apply >

COTE Network Q3 Call: August 5 at 2pm ET
Join a discussion with over 60 Committee on the Environment groups throughout the country. Learn more about the network on the AIA Community Hub. Register >

FREE AI course series: Transform your practice!
Join us for a free, three-course webinar series, sponsored by Egnyte, that explores business applications for innovation and implementing tools like digital twins, AI, and extended reality to lead your firm into the future. Register >

2025 CRAN® Symposium: Resilience In Practice
Network with leading custom residential architects, firm owners, and principals from around the country. Register now through August 28 to secure your spot at the 2025 CRAN® Symposium! Earn up to 10.5 HSWs and 16.5 LUs on a wide range of topics relevant to residential architecture. Tour the award-winning design of regional homes. Register >

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 >