Future Planning Scholars Program
The Future Planning Scholars (FPS) Program at the University of Michigan’s Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning aims to inspire and equip underrepresented students from the United States to pursue advanced studies and careers in urban and regional planning.
FPS Program participants learn what obtaining a PhD in urban planning entails, specifically about the Urban and Regional Planning (U.R.P.) Ph.D. program at U-M’s Taubman College.
You will meet individual U.R.P. faculty aligned with your research interests, connect with current Ph.D. students to learn about their experience in the program and gain valuable tips about the Ph.D. application process, alongside feedback on your draft application materials.
Who Should Participate?
We are particularly interested in applicants who want to explore attending Taubman College’s U.R.P. Program as Ph.D. students anytime in the future and demonstrate a sustained commitment to diversity through work experience, volunteering, or leadership. By diversity, we mean efforts to reduce social, educational, or economic disparities based on race, ethnicity, or gender, or to improve race relations in the U.S.
Applicants must meet the following four criteria to apply:
- Not be a current undergraduate or Master’s student at the University of Michigan (in any field)
- Hold a Master’s degree (in any field)
- Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or undocumented student with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA)*
- Identify with one or more of the following:
- Experienced financial hardship as a result of family economic circumstances (e.g. Pell Grant)
- Participated in programs open to students from disadvantaged backgrounds (e.g., McNair)
- First-generation U.S. citizen
- First generation in your family to graduate from a four-year college;
- From an educational, cultural, or geographic background that is underrepresented in graduate study in urban planning in the U.S. or at the University of Michigan.
* NOTE: International applicants should consider applying to the virtual Pre-Doctoral Workshop for Underrepresented Students of Color and LGBTQIA+ Students, or the International Planning Students Workshop, both held by the Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning.
What’s the time commitment?
The program includes online meetings every other week, including a kickoff group meeting, panel sessions with current students and faculty, a CV/resume and personal statement workshop, and one-on-one meetings with faculty and a current U.R.P. Ph.D. student mentor who matches your research interests. View the complete schedule.
When is the Program?
The FPS Program is an extended, virtual experience from October 1 to early December each fall.
What does it cost?
The virtual program is completely free to participants.
How to Apply
The 2025 application for this program is expected to open up in mid-summer 2025. Check back then for the application.
