Call for Papers

The BUILD Research Network invites paper submissions for our first annual Research-to-Policy Convening, a working meeting designed to put researchers and policymakers in the same room. The goal is a genuine two-way exchange: researchers share findings that can inform real decisions, and policymakers help shape where the research goes next.

We are looking for two kinds of papers:

• Papers with actionable insights for policymakers — research whose findings are ready to inform policy choices and that the author can translate for a non-technical audience.
• Papers where the researcher wants policymaker feedback — work-in-progress or completed studies where input from practitioners would meaningfully sharpen the next steps, whether that’s follow-on questions, data access, or implementation pathways.

In either case, applicants should be prepared to explain their key results to a non-technical audience and to engage substantively with policymakers in attendance.

Topic Focus

The United States faces unusually high infrastructure costs — relative both to peer developed countries and to its own past. We seek papers that investigate any aspect of this problem with an eye toward practical solutions. We are particularly interested in housing, energy, and transportation, but we welcome submissions outside these areas that speak to our motivating concern.

Venue and Travel

The conference will be held at the Boston Public Library, McKim Conference Room B. The BUILD Research Network will reserve and pay for presenters’ travel expenses including airfare or ground transportation, airport transfers, and two nights lodging.

Note: The BUILD Convening is scheduled to coincide with the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management 2026 Fall Research Conference on November 5 – 7.