Clarion Housing Group has announced a new scholarship programme as part of the sixth William Sutton Prize to mark the organisation’s 125th anniversary.
The organisation says that the new initiative has been developed to increase diversity in architecture and sustainability.
Working with the London Neighbourhood Scholarship Trust, Clarion will offer three William Sutton Prize scholarships of £15,000 to be distributed in £5,000 instalments over three years to students of architecture from underrepresented backgrounds living in London.
One of the scholarships has been sponsored by architecture practice Allford Hall Monaghan Morris (AHMM), and it is hoped that the new programme will help increase diversity and level the playing field for young people entering the profession.
Clarion is also offering two scholarships providing financial and career support to students of sustainability who live or have lived in social housing.
Working with financial education specialists Blackbullion, the housing association is offering two scholarships of £18,000, to be distributed in three yearly instalments of £6,000.
In addition to funding, scholars will also benefit from a tailored package of career support, including mentorship, internships and work experience opportunities facilitated by jobs and training experts within Clarion Futures, the charitable foundation of Clarion Housing Group.
Clare Miller, Chief Executive of Clarion Housing Group, said: “Pursuing a degree in architecture or sustainability is an expensive and time-intensive endeavour, with the cost often acting as a barrier to students progressing their degrees to completion. Through these scholarships, it is my hope that we’ll be able to help level the playing field and encourage a more diverse body of future architects and sustainability professionals, removing the stress of having to work through university to pay the bills, buy materials and fund study trips.
“To maximise impact, our focus is on providing opportunities for social housing residents and those from low-income households in London. In addition to financial support, we’ll also be offering scholars access to mentoring and work placements to help them kickstart their careers, welcoming them into the William Sutton Prize family.”
Jas Bhalla, Founding Trustee of the London Neighbourhood Scholarship (LNS) Trust and former William Sutton Prize winner, said: “We are very grateful and incredibly excited about Clarion’s generous sponsorship of three architecture students from underrepresented groups through The William Sutton Prize scholarships. As someone who studied architecture on a scholarship, I know first-hand how vital this support can be in removing financial barriers to create much-needed opportunities for social mobility. By investing in diverse voices, we help shape a more inclusive and representative future for the field. I very much look forward to working with Clarion and the other trustees to select this year’s cohort of LNS scholars.”
Applications for The William Sutton Prize architecture scholarships close on 28 April, and sustainability students who live or have lived in social housing can apply for The William Sutton Prize sustainability scholarships until 23 May.
Scholars will be selected following the publication of A-level results in August.
Learn more about the William Sutton Prize here: Clarion launches sixth William Sutton Prize- aims to award innovative ideas – Housing Executive
