The Irish Planning Institute is delighted to present the Irish Planning Institute Student of the Year Award 2025-2026. The Office of the Planning Regulator supports the Institute’s aims for the award and with their support a prize fund is available for this awards scheme.

Aim of the student awards scheme

The Irish Planning Institute is seeking entries from student members to showcase the high-quality, original and potentially impactful work being completed by planning students.

Eligibility

The award is open to students who are currently enrolled in any year of planning qualifications currently accredited by the Irish Planning Institute or those who have completed an accredited qualification in 2025.

Entrants must be a current student member of the Irish Planning Institute or a graduate member who completed their studies in 2025.

About the Student of the Year award

  • Self-nominated
  • Student/recent graduate members invited to submit one example of substantial independent research undertaken as part of their programme. This may include studio projects, reports, dissertations for example
  • As part of your entry form you must include an executive summary (no more than 250 words) as part of the application form summarising the research and explaining the main contribution and impact of the submitted research
  • Entries do not have to be final year work but they must be a project, report, dissertation or essay etc. completed as part of an IPI accredited undergraduate or postgraduate course
  • Only individual work can be submitted
  • A monetary prize fund is available for this award, with the assistance of the Office of the Planning Regulator

Awards judging panel

The awards judging panel includes Gavin Lawlor MIPI, President of the Irish Planning Institute, Niall Cussen FIPI, Chief Executive and Planning Regulator at the OPR and other senior professionals.

The judging panel will particularly consider the creativity and innovation, execution and clarity, and professional relevance of entries when making their assessment.

Award timeline

  • Entries open – Friday 16 January 2026
  • Submission deadline – Noon Friday 27 February 2026
  • Evaluation period – March 2026
  • Presentation of prizes – IPI Annual Planning Conference 16-17 April 2026, Athlone

To Enter

Complete the form below or click here to enter. You will be asked to provide your details and upload the example of independent research that is to be judged, along with brief details of the module the piece of research was completed as part of or the brief it was required to meet.

Terms and conditions

  • Due consideration will be given to all of the entries and more than one award may be made.
  • The judging panel may recommend that no award be made or that the prize fund be divided to reflect the standard and diversity of entries.
  • No physical work to be submitted. Online entries only.
  • The judges’ decision is final.
  • The judging panel recommends the results of the award to the IPI Board.
  • The IPI Board may direct the judging panel on any matter relating to the award.
  • The IPI Board reserves the right to permit or refuse the presentation of the award.
  • The decisions of the IPI are final and conclusive. No discussion or correspondence will be entered into.
  • Entries must be received by the deadline date. Late entries will not be accepted.
  • Online application forms must be completed in full and required documentation submitted at time of entry.
  • An entry will presume that any necessary consents and permissions have been obtained.
  • The award winner will be eligible for complimentary attendance at the Institute’s 2026 annual conference during which the prize will be presented.

For any queries please email [email protected].