Inspiration Grant Application Form

Application Form
Deadline: 12:00 PM February 26, 2026

About the Inspiration Grant
The APPI Inspiration Grant offers a monetary award to assist with expenses incurred to:

  1. Running an event or activity that shares new, innovative, or creative perspectives on planning; OR
  2. Presenting and attending at a national, international conference, or APPI Conference.

This grant may support post-secondary PhD or postdoctoral student research, but not research that is part of a compensated academic position.

Examples of Inspiring Submissions

  • A short film documenting an Indigenous-led planning process.
  • A podcast on emerging planning practices in northern communities.
  • A practical toolkit for climate adaptation.
  • A graphic novel explaining planning concepts.
  • A community engagement template or resource.
  • A workshop or training module.
  • A multimedia field study from a conference or research trip.
  • A public education project on planning issues.

These are only examples, and any format is welcome.

Deliverable Requirement

All successful applicants must produce:

  1. An Article for PLAN North West or Plan Canada (required), and
  2. Any additional deliverable proposed by the applicant in any format that strengthens professional capacity and knowledge-sharing.

Evaluation Criteria
Submissions will be evaluated equally on:

  1. Relevance to Alberta, Northwest Territories, or Nunavut.
  2. Promotion of excellence in planning.
  3. A clear knowledge-sharing plan for APPI members.
  4. Creativity and innovation in project approach or deliverable.
  5. (NEW) Potential to broaden planning knowledge, especially through engagement with underrepresented communities.

Grant Rules

  • Recipients of the award will be required to submit an expense summary with receipts to be reimbursed for the grant value.
  • Funds must be used within the 2026 calendar year.
  • Expenses must be receipt-supported in order to be reimbursed.
  • Grant recipients will prepare and submit an article for PLAN North West or Plan Canada about their conference presentation or event or activity prior to being reimbursed.

Who Can Apply?

  • Regulated Members (RPP and Candidate) in good standing.
  • APPI Subscribers will be accepted and considered under special circumstances.
  • Applicants may submit for both options but will only receive one grant.
  • One grant will be allocated per each option.
  • Grants will be a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $3,000.00.

How To Apply

  • Complete and submit this form along with all supporting materials outlined below.
  • Submissions should be one PDF file.
  • Use the following file naming style:
    • FirstInitialLastNameInspirationGramt (i.e. JSmithInspirationGrant.pdf)
  • If you are applying for both Options, please submit two separate applications.

APPI encourages creative, innovative, and non-traditional deliverables that meaningfully contribute to the planning profession.

APPI welcomes applications for this grant from members practicing in a variety of rural and urban contexts with a range of professional planning experiences.

Application Deadline
The deadline for submissions is 12:00 PM Mountain Time, February 26, 2026.
 

APPLICANT
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Contact Information

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Submission Options
Check which Option you are applying for:
A SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
  • Provide a description of the event or activity that shares new, innovative, or creative perspectives on planning (maximum 500 words)
  • Explain how the event or activity addresses the five Evaluation Criteria (maximum 500 words).
  • Provide a summary of estimated expenses and the intended use of the monetary grant.
  • Provide a statement outlining how much funding, if any, will be received from other sources to complete the funding of the event or activity. This includes funding from employers and place of study.
  • Declaration: Certifying that all information provided is accurate at the time of application with the applicant’s signature and the date.
Use the field below to upload your completed submission PDF with the Submission Requirements as described above.
One file only.
5 MB limit.
Allowed types: pdf.
B SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
  • Provide the conference name, location, and date.
  • Provide a clear description of the conference, including the conference theme (maximum 250 words).
  • Provide a description of the presentation to be given (250 words).
  • Explain how the presentation addresses the five Evaluation Criteria (maximum 500 words).
  • Provide a summary of estimated expenses and the intended use of the monetary award.
  • Provide a statement outlining how much funding, if any, will be received from other sources to attend the conference. This includes funding from employers.
  • Declaration: Certifying that all information provided is accurate at the time of application with the applicant’s signature and the date.
Use the field below to upload your completed submission PDF with the Submission Requirements as described above.
One file only.
5 MB limit.
Allowed types: pdf.
I hereby Certify that: