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Research on urban recovery and reconstruction

The RTPI are looking to support bids for £35,000 research funding on the themes of urban recovery and reconstruction 

 

£35,000 funding from the Urban Studies Foundation for research on theme of ‘Urban Urgencies’ 

The Urban Studies Foundation recently launched a research funding initiative called ‘Urban Urgencies’. Six funded projects will receive up to £35,000 each. The Foundation writes: 

The theme Urban Urgencies is intended to focus on addressing the most pressing urban challenges through innovative, rapid-response research that addresses the urgency of emergent issues, while contributing to grounded, rigorous responses that proactively shape inclusive, equitable and sustainable urban futures. 

The deadline for submissions is also urgent! It is 23 March 2026. 

The RTPI are looking to support bids from RTPI members and/or RTPI-accredited planning schools that focus on the themes of urban recovery and reconstruction 

Disaster recovery and urban reconstruction with a focus on improvement rather than restoration, are important themes for the RTPI’s International and Practice and Research teams. We are therefore very interested in supporting and partnering on funding bids from RTPI members and/or RTPI accredited planning schools that focus on these issues.  

Partnership with a non-academic organisation is a requirement of the funding. The Urban Urgencies call states: 

Eligible research projects are… required to include a meaningful research partnership between a minimum of two organisations, one of whom must be from a non-academic constituency. 

The types of partnership we are interested in 

We can join proposals as a ‘Partner organisation’ (but not host organisation) for the grant. Though our ability to lead on research outputs would be limited, our involved could include: 

  • Utilising our strong, global, links to policy and practice for dissemination and impact; 
  • Providing oversight, feedback and/or input on the research design, data analysis or findings, from a mixed research/practice/policy perspective; and 
  • Acting as a convener – hosting roundtables, workshops, or other events (is funded as part of the proposal). 

If this is of interest, please find out more and get in contact via the links below. 

Details 

All details, including downloadable eligibility criteria, guidance, and FAQs, are available on the Urban Studies Foundation site: https://www.urbanstudiesfoundation.org/funding/urban-urgencies/  

If you are interested in collaborating with the RTPI, or have any questions, please email Beatrice Crabb at: Beatrice.Crabb@RTPI.org.uk