RTPI to inSPIRe planning research

The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), the largest professional institute for planners in Europe, has today launched a new fund to support small-scale research projects on planning which is aimed at academic staff employed by an RTPI accredited Planning School. Funding of up to £5,000 is available for projects of relevance to policymakers and practitioners through the new initiative, the RTPI's Small Project Impact Research (SPIRe) Scheme.

Dr Peter Geraghty, RTPI President said: "Planning has been unfairly criticised in recent months for being a barrier to growth. SPIRe  will provide the RTPI with a sounder research-based evidence to counter some of the myths about the planning system that have all too frequently been taken as read, and provide planners  with a platform to demonstrate the pride about the work that they do."

Dr Michael Harris, the RTPI's Deputy Head of Policy and Research, said: "The RTPI wants to support a closer relationship between research and practice and we hope we can promote this through funding schemes such as SPIRe, as well as our work more generally. The relatively small sums involved belie the importance of the initiative. The Map for England project has shown how a relatively small amount of funding can have a significant impact."

Applications for funding should be submitted by 5pm 1 March 2013. Applications are particularly welcome on priority themes including the benefits of planning, planning and economic growth, health and planning, sustainability, and spatial thinking in decision making.

• The RTPI Small Project Impact Research (SPIRe) Scheme Guidance for Applicants can be downloaded here.
• For more information about SPIRe click here.