Each year, the Young Urbanists run the Small Grants Scheme which aims to support projects delivering tangible outputs and benefits to the YU network within the realm of urbanism. After a call for submissions and a three-part application process, three inspiring and ambitious projects are awarded Small Grants to facilitate their innovative project ideas.
The Young Urbanists Small Grants Scheme aims to disseminate learning on urbanism with YU members and Academicians and support the aims of The Academy of Urbanism as outlined in our Manifesto.
What do we fund?
We fund activities and projects that seek to share learning on urban-related themes and provide a tangible benefit to the YU Network and/or the Academy as a whole. We would like to support projects that are based on original research and that seek to explore solutions to urban problems.
Applicants are welcome to submit proposals addressing any issue that they believe to be relevant to YUs, but we also encourage projects related to themes already explored by the YUs including food in cities, tall buildings, creative cities, emerging urbanism, international urbanism, the future of urbanism, and more specifically our 2026 Urbanism Manifesto themes: housing, transport, digital revolution, and funding/devolution.
Successful applicants will be eligible to receive up to £400 towards costs/expenses associated with the project, such as transportation, space rental, publicity, exhibition material, stationery and subsistence, which will be accounted for by providing receipts. Unfortunately, we cannot provide remuneration for time spent working on the project.
What do we mean by benefitting the Young Urbanist Network?
Benefits could be achieved through diverse means by providing the YU Network with tangible outputs, including but not limited to:
- Published articles for our website and/or newsletter
- Production of a video or other medium to be shared on the website or at a relevant event
- Running a seminar or sharing your findings at a relevant event
- The project itself could enable YU participation/experience (i.e. project as a curated event)
Be creative – there are many ways in which you could bring a tangible benefit to the YUs, so use your imagination.
What is the process for applications?
We accept applications as part of a 3-stage process, outlined below.
Stage 1 – Call for submissions
Initially, applicants will be asked to submit a short 500-word proposal about their project. This will outline the idea, explain how it fits with the aims of the Academy and how it will benefit the YU Network. We ask that submissions also state how much funding they are seeking for their project, up to a maximum of £400 (a more detailed cost outline will be required at the next stage).
Once we have received all the submissions, the YU Steering Committee assesses all applications and shortlist the successful ones.
Stage 2 – Detailed proposal
The shortlisted candidates are notified by email and asked to submit a more detailed proposal. A template will be provided for this. This will comprise of a more thorough description of the project theme, aims, outputs and costs, alongside a current CV.
Once we have received all the detailed proposals, an expert panel will gather to make a decision on final grant recipients. At this point, shortlisted applicants may be asked to meet with the panel to further discuss their project proposal.
Stage 3 – Projects underway
Successful applicants are contacted by the YU Steering Committee to discuss and finalise the timeframe within the project should be delivered.
The deadline is 19th December 2022. CLOSED
Who is eligible to apply?
You must be a paid member of the Young Urbanists to be eligible to apply. For more information on how to join, click here.
Get inspired by our past Small Grant Scheme recipients!
- 2021 Small Grant Scheme recipients
- 2020 Small Grant Scheme recipients
- 2019 Small Grant Scheme recipients
- 2018 Small Grant Scheme recipients
- 2017 Small Grant Scheme recipients
If you wish to learn more about the Small Grant Scheme, please feel free to contact our Young Urbanist & Membership Coordinator, Roshni Thakker at [email protected].
