MIG Scholarship for the Planning and Design of Equitable and Inclusive Environments

AWARD: Two $5,000 winners
DEADLINE: February 1

This scholarship was established in 2024 by MIG to support graduate students in landscape architecture who have demonstrated strong interest and commitment to the planning and design of equitable and inclusive environments.

MIG is a multi-disciplinary firm dedicated to the design of organizations, environments, and tools for human development.  MIG looks at problems from a holistic perspective, applying theories, methods and concepts from the ecological and social sciences in support of environmental and social change.  

Eligible applicants are U.S. citizens currently enrolled in an LAAB- or LAAC-accredited Master of Landscape Architecture degree program at a university in the U.S. or Canada. Students must have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4-point scale).

Applicants should demonstrate how the design of equitable and inclusive environments has been an integral part of their studies as well as part of their final project or professional report through work in one or more of these topic areas:

• Planning and design for the creation of culturally diverse and inclusive communities
• Environmental design for under-resourced or disadvantaged neighborhoods
• Universal design and accessibility
• Partnerships with tribal governments to plan and design communities in support of indigenous people
• Planning and design strategies to prevent gentrification and displacement, and support intergenerational wealth accumulation
• Housing for the unhoused
• Design of environments for children of all abilities

Candidates will be evaluated based on their commitment and potential in one or more of the areas above, as well as their academic performance, design ability, and financial need.

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 and fellowships 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.
• 1 Letter of Recommendation
  Provide the e-mail address for the recommender and instructions will be sent to them. The letter should specifically address the candidate’s commitment to the design of equitable and inclusive environments.
• Essay (2 page max)
  Upload your original essay in PDF format. In 500 words or less, describe your interest in one or more of the listed topic areas related to the design of equitable and inclusive environments, as well as how you have made it an integral part of your studies, final project, thesis, or other work. The essay should be no more than two pages with margins of at least 1”, 10-point or larger font, and no images or graphics. Please include Applicant Name/Essay/Scholarship Name and page number on each page.
• Work Samples (3 page max)
  Upload 3 work samples from academic or internship work in one 8.5”x11” PDF document. Each should include explanatory text describing the project. If it was a group project, state this and describe your role. If any part of the work was generated by artificial intelligence (AI), clearly identify this and explain the role AI played. Please include Applicant Name/Work Samples/Scholarship Name and page number on each page.