LAF Honor Scholarship for Inclusive Community Design

Award: One $10,000 winner, one $5,000 runner-up
Deadline: February 1

This LAF Honor Scholarship was established in 2018 by Patrick Phillips, a visionary and leader in the responsible use, design, and transformation of land to support thriving and inclusive communities worldwide. Originally trained as a landscape architect, Patrick served as the Global CEO of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) from 2009 to 2018 and as president of the ULI Foundation. Patrick’s career spans over 30 years in the economic analysis of real estate and land use. He believes that landscape architects can play an important and distinctive role in the creation of cities and neighborhoods that are safe, healthful, economically productive, and beautiful.

Eligible applicants are landscape architecture students currently enrolled in an LAAB- or LAAC- accredited master's degree program at a university in the U.S. or Canada. Students must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4-point scale.) Applicants should show commitment to underserved urban communities and addressing community-scale design issues. Preference is given to candidates interested in pursuing a career in the non-profit or public sector.

Candidates will be evaluated based on their academic performance and demonstrated commitment and/or leadership in inclusive community design. Financial need will also be considered.

To Apply

See the General Application Guidelines for information on using our online application system. All submissions must adhere to guidelines and deadlines in order to be considered. Additional materials will not be reviewed.

Application Contents

All LAF scholarships require applicants to submit the following materials:

• General Submission Form
  Complete this online form with basic contact information and details about your degree program.
• Photo
  Provide a color headshot in jpg format that is at least 1800x1200 pixels. It should be horizontally-oriented, well-lit with a simple background, and include your entire head and shoulders. LAF retains the right to use any submitted photo on our website and in other materials promoting LAF’s scholarship programs.
• Bio for the LAF Website (150 word max)
  Provide a short bio in PDF, Microsoft Word, or TXT format. In 150 words or less, describe your background, current educational pursuits, future plans, and any other personal interests or activities.
• Resume (2 page max)
  Upload your resume or CV in PDF format. It should include your education, professional experience, extra-curricular activities, and honors and awards. Please include Applicant Name/Resume/Scholarship Name and page number on each page.

In addition, this scholarship requires the following:

• Financial Aid Form
  Complete this online form with information about your financial needs and any financial assistance you currently receive.
• 2 Letters of Recommendation
  Provide the e-mail address for each recommender and instructions will be sent to them. The letters should specifically address the candidate’s exemplary qualities and commitment to underserved urban communities and addressing community-scale design issues. 
• Essay (2 page max)
  Upload your original essay in PDF format. In 800 words or less, describe your academic and professional objectives and your commitment and/or leadership in working with underserved urban communities and addressing community-scale design issues. The essay should be no more than two pages with margins at 1”, 10-point or larger font, and no images or graphics. Please include Applicant Name/Essay/Scholarship Name and page number on each page.