Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment
Public space
CABE Space design skills scholarships
Good design should be at the heart of our public realm - our streets and highways, parks and green spaces and public squares and neighbourhoods.
But many people working to shape these public spaces don’t get any formal design training.
The CABE Space design skills scholarships aim to address this by offering grants to fund a trip to work or study to places where design is central to the creation and management of public space. This will enable up to six people to experience good practice first hand.
We are looking for people without formal design training who can use this experience to help bring good design to their own work and to inspire others in their field.
About the scholarships
The CABE Space design skills scholarships offer practical understanding and experience of how good design can benefit the public realm through the study of good practice abroad.
The scholarships will allow scholars to:
- Increase their understanding of delivering and managing well-designed public space
- Do their job better through a wider understanding of how design can impact on their work
- Inspire others by disseminating this good practice to people in their organisation and promoting high-quality design in their field
Scholarships will be made in the form of a grant to cover travel and living expenses for the period of study.
Applicants will propose their own study programme which will enable them to gain an understanding of the management and design of high-quality public space elsewhere, whether in the UK or overseas.
The scholar will travel for a period of approximately three to six weeks.
You can apply online. Entries are open until 5pm on 30th November 2007.
Areas of study
We are offering scholarships for around three to six weeks to develop learning and good practice in the following areas:
- Urban streets, highways and public squares
- Urban parks and green spaces
- Public space design for disabled people and those with other access issues
- Public space projects delivered by or working with local communities
- Public space issues in large scale regeneration projects
Who can apply?
Eligibility is restricted to English residents working in a role that has a significant impact on the public realm, and who can demonstrate a commitment to improving the quality of our public space.
Applicants must not have extensive formal design training. Other formal educational or professional qualifications are acceptable although they are not necessary.
Those applying might include (but are not restricted to):
- Highways engineers
- Planning officers
- Access officers
- Park workers and other green space professionals
- Community workers
- Regeneration professionals
- Value engineers
- Leisure and amenity officers
- Housing professionals
- Civil servants involved in public project procurement
- Regional development agency staff
Applications are particularly welcome from ethnic minorities and disabled people.
Applications are considered for individual projects only; group or joint applications will not be accepted.
CABE Space cannot award scholarships for attending courses or academic studies or to students, including graduates and postgraduates. CABE staff or enablers may not apply
Requirements of the application
Applicants must:
- Be able to take time out of work to travel. Please tell your employer when you submit an application that you are applying for a scholarship.
- Propose their own scholarship programme. Activities might include working alongside professionals who demonstrate design leadership in their work, and visiting best practice schemes in one or more countries. Each successful scholar will be allocated a mentor in CABE Space who will be able to help shape these arrangements
- Demonstrate that their project is feasible and worthwhile
- Demonstrate that their professional role could be improved by an understanding of design
- Demonstrate how the experience would make them more effective in their work and enrich the knowledge of the sector
- Demonstrate that they have an ability to promote lessons learnt within their field
Requirements of a CABE Space Design Skills scholar
Scholars must:
- Disseminate the results and findings of their project as widely as possible on their return, for example, by giving media interviews and presenting their findings to their peers with the support of CABE.
- Submit a short report on their project to CABE within six months of their return.
How to apply
Applications are now invited for the 2008 scholarships. If you would like to apply you can do so online by downloading the application form below. If you experience any problems please contact scholarships@cabe.org.uk. Closing date for applications is 5pm on 30th November 2007
Judging process
All applications must be submitted to CABE Space no later than 5pm on Friday 30th November 2007.
Some applicants may be called for interviews. Interviews will be held in central London on 15, 16 or 17 January 2008. It is essential that you are able to attend for interview on these dates if you are called. You will be notified by 21 December if we would like you to attend an interview.
Successful applicants will be informed by the end of January 2008.
Application form
Entries are made by completing a downloadable application form. You will also need to send us a copy of your CV that is no more than 2 pages of A4.
Download the application form
To make an application:
- Save a copy of the form onto your computer.
- Complete the form.
- Email the form plus a copy of your CV (maximum 2 pages A4) to scholarships@cabe.org.uk.
Please do not return this form by post. If you are unable to complete the form online and require a paper copy of this form please contact Theresa Osen on 020 7278 0068.
Terms and conditions
Up to six scholarships will be awarded. Entries will be judged on their merit so one or more of the areas of study may not be reflected in the awards made.
Scholars must submit detailed proposals and costs for the project before funding is released.
In some cases CABE Space may consider funding temporary cover for the scholar’s job.
Travel must be completed by 1st October 2008.
You may be asked to book travel through a nominated travel agent. Scholars' travel should be booked by the end of March 2008.
You will be required to take out comprehensive travel insurance to cover the duration of your travel.
If you are travelling in Europe you will not be permitted to fly if a more sustainable option is viable.
The CABE Space mentors will help scholars develop detailed plans for their travel. They will help identify good practice in the scholar's chosen field but will not help with practical travel and accommodation arrangements or make contacts on behalf of the scholar.