This programme, commemorating the work of former RTPI President Michael Welbank MBE, is open to students on RTPI accredited undergraduate degrees at Planning Schools in London.
The aim of the bursary is to encourage diverse talent into the planning profession and in doing so, support the development of a rich pipeline of planners for the future.
Therefore, we welcome applications from students from groups and backgrounds under-represented in the planning profession, in particular, applications from students of Asian, African heritage, minority communities and/or those who are disabled. We also invite applications from those who have enrolled via the university’s widening participation programme.
A single, one-off payment of £2,000 will be awarded to successful recipients. Recipients can use their bursary to purchase equipment to support their studies or as a contribution towards travel or living costs associated with their studies.
Read a blog from a previous Welbank bursary recipient Sade Ryan.
Who is eligible to apply for a Welbank bursary?
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be a student member of the RTPI
- Be enrolled on an accredited undergraduate course at a RTPI accredited Planning School in London (University of Westminster, London South Bank University or University College London)
- Be a resident of one of the London boroughs
- Be a UK national and eligible to work in the UK after graduation.
- Meet one or more of the following:
- Be from a underrepresented group or background in the planning profession;
- Be disabled, have an impairment, medical condition, or access need;
- Have enrolled at the University via the University's Widening Participation Programme.
How do I apply?
Applicants are asked to:
- Ensure that they meet all the eligibility criteria stated above.
- Write a Personal Statement (500 word maximum). As a guide, applicants may wish to include the following in their Personal Statement:
- Explaining how they meet the eligibility criteria above
- Their motivations for pursuing a career in town planning
- The experiences and challenges they have encountered as a town planning student so far
- Projects, course work or voluntary activity relating to planning they have found particularly interesting
- Their views on planning and sustainability in London.
- Complete the webform, attaching their Personal Statement where indicated, and submit the form by 5pm on Monday 12 May 2025. Incomplete webforms may result in exclusion from the selection process.
Please note that each successful recipient will be asked to write a short blog on how planners and planning policy can support inclusivity in London communities for publication on the RTPI website.
How are Welbank Bursary recipients selected?
Application forms and Personal Statements are reviewed by RTPI Officers and Trustees of the RTPI Trust.
Applications will be assessed for whether they meet the eligibility criteria. Personal Statements will be assessed on the presentation and quality of the writing, how well they have expressed their journey as a town planner to date and their own thoughts and ideas on planning and sustainability in London.
Personal Statements should be the work of the application only and should not use AI or plagiarise the work of others (Acknowledged quotes are accepted).
The RTPI reserves the right to apply additional selection criteria if there is a high volume of submissions.
Successful applicants will be notified by the end of June 2025.
