2026
GENSLER OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP
UK BURSARY + PRIZES
The UK Bursary + Prizes work to break down the barriers to entering the architectural profession for students in the UK.
Year Out Bursary
Eligibility
Underrepresented students enrolled in a UK educational institution who are currently in their final year of a RIBA-accredited Part I architecture programme are eligible to apply*
Underrepresented students enrolled in a UK educational institution who are currently in their final year of a RIBA-accredited Part I architecture programme are eligible to apply*
Awards
One £10,000 Bursary and consideration for a paid, year-out placement.
One £10,000 Bursary and consideration for a paid, year-out placement.
Apply Online
Applicants for the bursary must complete the following no later than 11:59 PM GMT on 15 March 2026.
Applicants for the bursary must complete the following no later than 11:59 PM GMT on 15 March 2026.
*Current employees, recent former employees, and interns of Gensler, as well as their immediate families and those Gensler deems to present conflicts of interest, are ineligible to participate.
Submission Requirements for Year Out Bursary
Complete an online application which includes:
CV
A Letter of Recommendation from a Head of School, Dean, Chair, or Faculty member of the architecture programme. The letter must confirm that the applicant meets the eligibility criteria and describe their professional excellence.
Complete the Design Challenge — see directions below.
Portfolio | One advanced-level architecture project with written description (500 words and 10 pages, maximum). Work done with a single partner may be submitted, but it must include a description of the applicant’s specific contribution and a letter of support from the applicant’s collaborative partner.
Finalists will be invited to submit a digital video that introduces themselves to the jury and presents their work — see directions below.
Design Challenge
Design
Answer one of the four prompts below with a design sketch, illustrative image, and/or a short animation clip.Explain
Write a brief explanation to describe your idea and process. Please provide attribution if using AI tools and explain how the tool was used and the role it played in your submission.Upload
Upload it, along with your resume, portfolio, and letter of recommendationAs Designers How Can We...
01
Provide engaging and quality design for communities that have been historically neglected?
This is our opportunity to use design as a tool to support communities who have been historically neglected.
02
Preserve and celebrate culture and community through sustainability?
This is our chance to create a new normal, one that’s safer, healthier, and infused with innovative possibilities for the human experience.
03
Reimagine ways for designers to make a difference?
Meaningful, creative, impactful, and bold ideas that are intentional in the ways they make a difference for all people is what we’re looking for.
04
Design for inclusiveness in our practice, communities and cities?
This is our opportunity to explore current issues facing our cities and communities and how design can be a catalyst for change.
Finalist Interviews
Gensler will review submissions for the Year Out Bursary and select several finalists to be invited for an interview that introduces themselves to the jury and presents their work. Based on these interviews, we will select one or more winners to receive a bursary.
Winners and finalists may also be considered for a paid year-out placement or internship at Gensler’s London office, where they will be paired with a Gensler mentor who will serve as a resource during the year-out placement and ensuing academic year.
Winners and finalists may also be considered for a paid year-out placement or internship at Gensler’s London office, where they will be paired with a Gensler mentor who will serve as a resource during the year-out placement and ensuing academic year.
2026
END OF YEAR PRIZES
End of Year Prizes
Eligibility
Underrepresented students enrolled in an architecture programme at a UK-educational institution are eligible to apply*.
Underrepresented students enrolled in an architecture programme at a UK-educational institution are eligible to apply*.
Awards
Multiple End of Year prizes of £500.
Multiple End of Year prizes of £500.
Apply Online
Applicants for the prize must complete the following no later than 11:59 PM GMT on 15 March 2026.
Applicants for the prize must complete the following no later than 11:59 PM GMT on 15 March 2026.
*Current employees, recent former employees, and interns of Gensler, as well as their immediate families and those Gensler deems to present conflicts of interest, are ineligible to participate.
Submission Requirements for End of Year Prizes
Complete an online application which includes:
CV
A Letter of Recommendation from a Head of School, Dean, Chair, or Faculty member of the programme. The letter must confirm that the applicant meets the academic criteria and describes their professional excellence.
Essay Question, 500 words maximum
What do you see as the greatest value an architect can bring to their community or beyond?
How would you play a role in making this happen?
