Meet Our 2026 Scholarship Recipients

The CIP/ICU Planning Student Trust Fund (CIP-PSTF) Board of Directors is pleased to announce our 2026 scholarship recipients. This year, CIP-PSTF awarded seven scholarships totaling $33,000 in financial assistance.

Besides their cash awards, each recipient is invited to attend FUSION, the CIP/OUQ national planning conference in Montreal this July, at no cost to them, thanks to the Ages Foundation Travel Awards program.

If you wish to support planning students through CIP-PSTF’s programs, please donate today.

2026 CIP-PSTF Excellence in Planning Research Scholarship ($6,000)

Satnam Hehar, University of Waterloo

Project: Getting There Shouldn’t Be Hard: First- and Last-Mile Transit Access for Mobility-Impaired Riders in Suburban Canada

“Receiving the CIP-PSTF Excellence in Planning Research Scholarship is a meaningful milestone. I view this award as recognition of my commitment to inclusive and accessible planning, and as motivation to continue advancing work that creates more equitable and resilient communities.”

2026 CIP Healthy Communities Planning Scholarship ($5,000)

Haniya Ashfaque, Vancouver Island University

Project: Dynamic Cities: Unlocking Canada's Urban Potential with Kinetic Urbanism

“Receiving the CIP Healthy Communities Planning Scholarship is an honour that recognizes my research into how adaptable, weather-responsive infrastructure can cultivate vibrant, accessible public life in Canada's wet winter cities.”

2026 CIP Housing Action Scholarship ($5,000)

Jacob Hopper, McGill University

Project: Avenues to a Missing Middle: An Evaluation of Toronto's Ongoing Densification Strategy

“This scholarship affords me the opportunity to continue work that is both personally fulfilling and timely in the context of Canada's housing crisis. I am grateful to the CIP/ICU Planning Student Trust Fund for supporting a vision of Canadian urbanism that is forward-looking and committed to housing justice.”

2026 CIP Indigenous Communities Planning Scholarship ($5,000)

Amanda Passero, University of British Columbia

Project: Exploring Indigenous-Led Housing and Land Governance Approaches

“Receiving the CIP/ICU Planning Student Trust Fund Indigenous Communities Planning Scholarship is both an incredible honour and meaningful encouragement as I continue exploring climate resilience, housing, land-based practices, and Indigenous community planning through my graduate studies and research.”

2026 CIP Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in Planning Scholarship ($5,000)

Jie Deng, University of Alberta

Project: Making The Invisible Visible: Ensuring Safety Without Displacement in Informal Rooming Houses

“Receiving this scholarship is an incredible honour and a meaningful recognition of my journey. I am deeply grateful for this support, as it strengthens my commitment to developing practical planning solutions and advocating for systemic change that supports tenants who rely on affordable, informal housing.”

2026 Glenn Tunnock Climate Change Action Scholarship ($4,000)

Alexandra Welch, Simon Fraser University

Project: From Local to Bioregional: Environmental Policy Implementation on the Saanich Peninsula

“I am honoured to receive the Glenn Tunnock Climate Change Action Scholarship in recognition of my work at the intersection of climate action, environmental governance, and planning practice. I am grateful for the support to continue contributing to research and policy work that helps communities respond to complex environmental challenges.”

2026 CIP-PSTF Innovation in Planning Scholarship ($3,000)

Dean Orr, University of Guelph

Project: Ontario's agrifood system: How much land does Ontario need to feed itself, and what does that look like in planning practice?

“This scholarship will allow me to attend school while continuing to farm; allowing me a unique perspective on planning research that contributes to novel research approaches!”