Student Awards and Competition

Student Planning and Design Competition

Attend the Competition at NPC25 from March 29-April 1, 2025

Learn More About the Competition

The competition invites teams of students pursuing graduate degrees in planning to participate. New this year is the competition's focus on a community issue in the NPC host city. The attention to student design in these real-life spaces continues APA's ongoing effort to provide leadership in developing vital communities. By advocating excellence in planning, promoting education, and citizen empowerment, APA hopes to provide the tools and support necessary to meet the challenges of growth and change.

*Previously known as the Student Design Competition.

Outstanding Student Awards

The 2024-2025 spring submission window will open on April 1, 2025.

The Outstanding Student Awards recognized outstanding achievement in the study of planning by students graduating from Planning Accreditation Board (PAB)–-accredited planning programs (one at the undergraduate level and one at the graduate level, if applicable) during the academic year of the award.

Each respective planning program convened a jury to make the selection(s) and scheduled the award presentation(s) at their respective school(s).

Learn More About the Awards