The Vacant Property Research Network (VPRN) announces its second annual scholarship to sponsor two masters students whose research contributes to new knowledge and practice around vacant properties. The scholarships recognize the success of outstanding students of planning, public administration, geography, environmental sciences, architecture, and other closely related fields. Masters Scholarship Awards ($250) will be granted to two students enrolled in a masters degree program during 2015. Winners will be selected from the submission of a single-authored paper (12-30 pages in length) on a “vacant property” topic, which includes everything from deindustrialized landscapes, distressed cities, and shrinking regions to land banks, code enforcement strategies, and housing courts. Submissions may be refined term papers, practicum reports, or thesis chapters. Preference will be given to fully developed papers that demonstrate excellence and innovation in knowledge, research and/or practice about land change. Winners will be invited to participate in an upcoming VPRN-sponsored session at a national conference and may be eligible for travel or registration support.
For information about the 2014 winners, please click here: https://vacantpropertyresearch.com/2014competition
Eligibility
Candidates must be enrolled in a masters degree program during 2015. A letter of recommendation from a faculty member attesting to these eligibility requirements and to scholarly achievement and potential is required.
Application Procedure
Application deadline is midnight (EST) on June 1, 2015.
- Please submit via email the following in one PDF document to [email protected] with “Masters Award” in the subject line:
- A completed application form, which is available for download here: Student Competition Application
- A single-authored paper on a topic related to vacant properties. The paper should be 12-30 pages in length (excluding endnotes and bibliographies), preferably with double-spaced lines.
- A letter of reference should be sent by the letter-writer from their personal email address as an MSWord file or PDF to [email protected] with the applicant’s name in the subject line.
How will I know when the VPRN has received my applications materials and my file is complete? You will receive an email from the VPRN after we receive all pieces of your application. Other questions should be directed to Katie Wells at [email protected]
Notification of Winners
The applicants that are selected for scholarship awards will be notified through email by July 15, 2015.