The reviews will look into government sponsorship of research and will also consider the future of the Foresight programme, which predicts industry trends.
The first review, for the DTI and the DETR, is headed by former government chief scientist Sir John Fairclough.
Entitled The Review of Construction Research Skills and Facilities, it is believed to be considering the future role of BRE.
Government funding for BRE, which was privatised in 1997, is set to expire next spring.
A DTI spokesperson said the review would look into what research was required for future changes to the Building Regulations.
Insiders claim that it will also consider the establishment of regional centres of excellence, rather than nationwide research centres. Findings from the review are due early next year.
It is understood that the government is keen to prevent industries duplicating each other's research.
An industry source claimed that government funding would not dry up but might be directed elsewhere. He said: "I think the government is still committed to funding research, but not necessarily in the same form as before."
The review of the Foresight programme is due to be completed by October.
Foresight looks at future trends for 13 sectors, including the built environment and transport.
Speaking last week at the launch of the latest Foresight report, Constructing the Future, a spokesperson said the review would be "root and branch".
Constructing the Future's recommendations included "exploiting global competitiveness".
Former Costain chief executive John Armitt said he had found "absolutely nothing new in it [the report]".
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