Future Planning Scholars Program
Your Path to Academia Starts Here
The Future Planning Scholars Program connects domestic students across the U.S. with the tools, mentorship, and insights needed to succeed as an urban and regional planning educator or researcher.
What You’ll Gain
- Expert Guidance: Learn whether a Ph.D. is right for you and what it takes to earn a Ph.D. in urban planning, with specific insights into the University of Michigan’s Urban and Regional Planning program at Taubman College.
- Personal Connections: Meet with URP faculty who share your research interests and connect with a current Ph.D. student who understands your journey.
- Application Tips: Receive personalized advice for the Ph.D. application process and get valuable feedback on your draft materials.
Program Benefits
- 100% Free – No cost to participate
- Tailored Mentorship – Faculty matched to your research interests
- Peer Support – Direct access to current Ph.D. students
- Application Review – Expert feedback on your materials
Who Should Apply?
We are looking for U.S. applicants passionate about urban and regional planning who are considering a research and teaching career in academia.
Ready to shape the future of our cities and communities? The Future Planning Scholars Program is your gateway to academic excellence in urban planning.
Applicants must meet these criteria to apply:
- Have or will complete a master’s degree within the coming year (in any field)
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Identify strongly with two or more of the following:
- Led and/or substantially engaged in activities that broaden the participation of individuals with diverse backgrounds in the academic, professional, or civic realm. By broadening participation, we mean efforts in the U.S. to specifically reduce educational disparities based on race, ethnicity, first-generation status, familial income, or gender
- Experienced financial hardship as a result of family economic circumstances (e.g. Pell Grant);
- Participated in programs open to students from disadvantaged backgrounds;
- Are a first-generation U.S. citizen in your family;
- Are the first in your family to graduate from a four-year college;
- Come from an educational or geographic background underrepresented in U.S. urban planning graduate programs; and/or
- Hold membership in a federally recognized tribe.
When is it? What’s the time commitment?
The FPS Program is a virtual experience that runs from September to November each Fall. The program includes three meetings, including a kickoff meeting and faculty panel discussion, a session with current students and alumni, and a CV/resume and personal statement workshop, as well as one-on-one meetings with a faculty member and current URP Ph.D. student mentor who matches your research interests. Participants also receive feedback on draft application materials. See the schedule.
How to Apply
Please fill out this application form and submit your CV by September 7, 2026 to indicate your interest in the program.
Questions
FPS Program Coordinator, Rand Makarem at rmakarem@umich.edu
URP Director of Doctoral Studies, Lesli Hoey at lhoey@umich.edu
