The Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI) is inviting expressions of interest from members and academics at RTPI-accredited planning schools seeking support for research bids under a new £35,000 funding call focused on urgent urban challenges. 

The research funding, from the Urban Studies Foundation, comes from a research initiative titled ‘Urban Urgencies’, which will award up to £35,000 each to six selected projects. 

The initiative aims to address 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 RTPI’s International and Practice & Research teams are particularly interested in supporting bids that focus on disaster recovery or urban reconstruction, with an emphasis on building back in ways that promote long-term resilience, equity and sustainability. 

The RTPI is keen to partner on ambitious, forward-looking proposals that help shape more inclusive and resilient urban futures. To find out the full partnership requirements and how the RTPI can support bids and research, visit RTPI International’s further information page.  

With the submission deadline fast approaching on 23 March 2026, interested applicants are encouraged to get in touch with the RTPI as soon as possible.