Two weeks left to submit your entry to the TPS bursary scheme

The Transport Planning Society’s bursary scheme encourages young professional members of TPS to produce a piece of structured thought on a topic of current relevance to transport planning, supported by a mentor who will be a senior member of the profession. The value of each bursary is £500.

TPS is currently accepting proposals for this year’s competition. The topic is: ‘Scenario planning – how can Transport Planners best plan for the new normal?’

The deadline for submission of proposals is Friday 27 August.

If your proposed title is accepted, you will be asked to write the full paper with the help of your mentor and present it at a special meeting of TPS Board members in January 2022.  You will then receive £500 and be featured in a TPS news item.

The bursaries provide a great opportunity to:

• expand your knowledge of your chosen topic;
• raise your profile within the profession;
• promote your career development;
• benefit from your mentor’s experience and advice.

For those participating in the Professional Development Scheme it also counts towards satisfying relevant proficiency and experience requirements.

Participation in the competition, especially winning the “Bursary of the Year” award, has helped previous Bursarians to attract the interest of their employer, to gain promotion, to be offered new jobs, and even to be invited to chair a conference session related to their paper. It can give your career a real lift.

Goergia Corr, Transport Planner at Ealing Council and a previous bursary winner, said: “Participating in the Bursary competition offers so many amazing opportunities for those early on in their career. The competition provides a great chance to expand your knowledge in a chosen area, work with mentors from the Transport Planning Society, and meet other young transport planners part of the society.”

Please visit https://tps.org.uk/bursaries for further information on this year’s scheme, including how to apply, the application form and full guidance notes.