The Young Urbanists' Small Grant Scheme (SGS) supports grassroots initiatives that strive to enhance urban life. Each year, the initiative opens its doors to innovative thinkers and passionate community members, driving creativity and collaboration across the YU network.
Designed to foster knowledge-sharing between emerging urbanists and academic experts, the SGS provides financial support for projects aligned with The Academy of Urbanism’s Manifesto. The scheme encourages exploration of diverse urban challenges—from social equity to environmental sustainability—through research, workshops, and community engagement.
By bridging theoretical research and practical application, the SGS serves as a catalyst for urban innovation. It amplifies the voices of young thinkers, engages diverse stakeholders, and builds collective knowledge to inform future policy and planning—furthering the Academy’s mission to create inclusive, adaptable, and responsive cities.
What we fund?
We support original research and projects that explore solutions to urban issues while delivering tangible benefits to the YU Network or the Academy of Urbanism.
Focus Themes
You can submit proposals on any relevant urban topic. We especially encourage projects aligned with past YU topics (such as creative cities, tall buildings, or food in cities) or our 2026 Urbanism Manifesto focus areas:
- Housing
- Transport
- Digital Revolution
- Funding & Devolution
Funding & Expenses
- Amount: Grants up to £400 are available for eligible costs (e.g., travel, space hire, publicity, materials, or subsistence).
- Requirements: All expenses must be backed by receipts.
- Exclusions: We cannot cover payment or remuneration for your time.
How Projects Can Benefit the YU Network
Your project should offer tangible value to members. Examples of outputs include:
- Articles published on our website or newsletter
- Videos or multimedia content for events and online platforms
- Seminars or presentations sharing your findings
- Interactive events or experiences designed for YU participation
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Questions?
Contact YU Coordinator, Roshni Thakker on [email protected]
