Targeted Research Grants

You can apply for the following Targeted Research Grants through the annual Research Grants Program.

Architek Sustainable Urban Environment Grant
Sustainable Buildings Canada Grant
Günter A. Schoch Grant for the History of the Profession
Northern Research Grant
Donald W. Graham Communication Grant

The grants jury reviews all grant applications to ensure that they meet the general award criteria and then determines whether a project is eligible for funding from this specific grant. Applicants can specify that they wish to be considered for this funding.

Funding

Professional Category: Grants up to $12,500 per project are available
Student Category: Grants up to $5,000 per project are available

1. Architek Sustainable Urban Environment Grant

Architek Group of Companies is committed to advancing sustainable practices in the built environment through innovative solutions in green roofs, living walls, green facades, and water conservation technologies. This grant supports pioneering research in sustainable landscapes for urban settings, focusing on design solutions (and including metrics) that address challenges related to urban green roofs, green walls, and water management in Ontario.

Architek believes in the necessity of creating built environments that foster sustainable site development, climate resilience, and enhance the human experience. The Architek Sustainable Urban Environment Grant aims to fund research leading to positive sustainable outcomes.

Topics

Examples of research to be supported by this grant (including, but not limited to):

Hard Performance Data: such as thermal imaging: urban heat island reduction, HVAC and energy savings from green roofs, stormwater retention before/after (blue/green vs. green-only), biodiversity gains (pollinators, birds), noise reduction benefits
Lifecycle Cost & ROI: Cost vs. savings over time (energy, stormwater fees, roof lifespan), Payback timelines (5/10/15 years), Public health offsets & improved asset value
Policy & Procurement Tools: Case studies of successful mandates/incentives, Strategies to prevent green system cuts in tendering
Design & Implementation Guides: Practical how-to’s, plus what to avoid, Real-world best practices and failures

Criteria

The Grant is open to Ontario based individuals or design firms. Individuals require a minimum of four (4) years of related professional work experience. The Grant is also open to PhD candidates doing directly related research.

Conditions

Grants may be considered for two phases of work, awarded via two separate applications to the Research Grants Program. Applicants may reapply for a second grant and are encouraged to define the rationale for a second phase of their work. In the case of an anticipated two phase program, the phases are as follows.

Phase One Research, Phase Two Solutions. ($5,000 minimum for each phase)
Phase One Grant may be awarded and completed and the applicant may apply for a second
Phase Two Grant once the terms of the Phase One Grant are fulfilled

2. Sustainable Buildings Canada Grant

This grant is for the research and development of a white paper focused on landscape architecture and related sustainable site development practices. This grant was established by Sustainable Buildings Canada under the auspices of LACF in 2023.

SBC believes that our survival depends on taking aggressive steps to fight climate change. They believe that it's imperative that we design, build and operate better built environments. As such, this bursary is intended to fund research that promotes positive sustainable outcomes.

Criteria

The white paper will provide research on landscape architectural practices and projects that promote the ‘next level’ of sustainability. Such projects should aim to achieve high performance outcomes in the built environment, encompassing a range of possible results including but not limited to healthy spaces, lower energy and water use, clean and renewable energy and positive behavioural outcomes.

The white paper will be published on the SBC website, and the successful grant applicant(s), will have the opportunity to present their findings/white paper as a speaker at a future SBC event. The minimum length (word count) of the white paper will vary, depending on the topic and degree of research and is to be commensurate with magnitude of the financial award.

3. Günter A. Schoch Grant for the History of the Profession

Topic

Grant for research into the history and status of landscape architecture in Canada

Purpose & Objective

To offer research funding for projects that support research into landscape architectural history and status of the profession in Canada, including its component organizations and notable practitioners and influencers, and communication of same.

The amount awarded from the Grant fund is up to $1,500.00 annually.

Successful applicants remain eligible for funding from the Research Grants fund/program and may apply and be awarded multiple times.

Context

This Grant Fund was established under the auspices of LACF by the Manitoba Association of Landscape Architects in 1994. It is in recognition of Günter Schoch’s extensive services and contributions to the profession of landscape architecture in general and the Manitoba Association of Landscape Architects in particular. Günter served for 20 years as MALA Treasurer (1978-97) and eight years as MALA’s first Executive Director (1989-97). At the national level he accepted the office of LACF Treasurer in 1992 and as Secretary-Treasurer of the College of Fellows also in 1992. He held these positions for 16 years until 2008.

The LACF Board of Directors decided at its August 1997 meeting in Edmonton to an annual award from this Fund, commencing in December 1997, provided the projects comply with the purpose of the fund.

Application

This Grant application is open to all LACF Research Grant applicants. Eligibility and award is determined in accordance with the LACF Research & Targeted Grants Policy and Procedures.

4. Northern Research Grant

The objective of this research grant is to promote research in Northern Canada (regions north of the 55th parallel).

Eligibility

To be eligible, the research topic must pertain to North of the 55th parallel in Canada and must meet at least two of the following criteria:

Increase the body of knowledge of landscape architecture and related professions as it pertains to the North.
Increase the visibility of landscape architects and the profession in the North.
Make positive change for the peoples of the North
Support the CSLA position on climate change that encourages its members to lead by enhancing resilience, encouraging positive transformation and promoting sustainability in all projects and activities.

Special preference is to be given to applications that incorporate expertise and knowledge of local First Nations, Métis and Inuit in meaningful, respectful and wholistic ways into the research project, including research and ensuring the outcome of the research is shared back to the communities and participants, and priority may be given to projects that focus on adaptation to and mitigation from climate change.

Licensing Requirement

All applicants should show that the project will be in conformance with all research requirements of the chosen jurisdiction; for convenience, these are some applicable websites:

5. Donald W. Graham Communication Grant

The Donald W. Graham Communication Grant is awarded to communication projects that promote and advance knowledge about the core values of the profession of landscape architecture to professionals and/or to the public.

Purpose

Grants can be awarded to an application received with the LACF Annual Research Grants Program for project that include communications initiatives such as publications, videos, websites, multimedia events, conferences, community development initiatives, public participation, events, conferences, exhibitions, etc.

The grant is awarded in accordance with the following purpose and objectives:

Through excellence in communication, further the understanding and importance of the core values of the profession of landscape architecture as defined by LACF’s mission and the Canadian Landscape Charter.
LACF Research & Targeted Grants Policy and Procedures

Objectives

Demonstrate clarity, creativity and innovation
Be, pertinent and timely
Make a difference to target audiences as defined in the research application

Special preference is to be given to applications that propose specific projects that will be implemented in the short term. This does not however exclude providing funding for long-term projects in early planning stages provided interim results are communicated to the target group.

The amount awarded from the Grant fund is up to $1,000 annually.

More than one applicant may receive a grant, within the upset of $1,000 annually.

Successful applicants remain eligible for funding from the Research Grants fund/program and may apply and be awarded multiple times.

Context

This grant was established by the family of Don Graham, in memory of his passing in November 2017.

Don was one of the Founding members of the Landscape Architecture Canada Foundation and believed that promoting and advancing the core values of the profession was paramount to making the world a better place. Beyond his many years on the LACF Board, he made a bequest to LACF to carry on this work.

He founded the firm D.W. Graham and Associates, Landscape Architects in Ottawa and for 30 years, planned and designed responsible green spaces for urban and regional landscapes, locally and internationally. He was a mentor and teacher to many young professionals over this period and left a lasting impression.

He was a relentless communicator. In 1962, shortly after completing his MLA at Harvard, he founded the first Canadian magazine about landscape architecture. As a CSLA president, active member of the Society, teacher and practitioner, he developed many communication and promotional tools to increase awareness about LA core values to public, professional and community audiences.

In the early 90’s he established DIAMONDS Land Trust and connected with members of the South Dundas Community to raise awareness about the importance of protecting, conserving and promoting public use of waterfront lands along the St. Lawrence River. In his later years, he expressed concern about climate change and resilience and felt it was an opportunity for landscape architects to use their skillset to make a difference.

Don communicated his passion for the land and the responsibility we have as stewards to carefully manage our living environments through out his life.

Application

This grant application is open to all LACF Research Grant applicants. Eligibility and award is determined in accordance with the LACF Research & Targeted Grants Policy and Procedures.