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2026 Mark J. Bassett Design Scholarship

for the 2026 Mpact Transit + Community Conference
in Toronto, ON, September 14-17

Application deadline June 30, 2026
Mpact is excited to announce that the 2026 Mark J. Bassett Design Scholarship is open for applications. The scholarship was created to support the attendance of three individuals to the annual Mpact Transit + Community conference. The 2026 conference is in Toronto, Ontario, September 14-17. The deadline for applications is June 30.

The scholarship honors Mark Bassett (1960-2024), an architect, artist and innovative technologist. In both his professional career and as an artist, Bassett created an enduring legacy of memorable art, buildings and spaces for better living. His greatest legacy is reflected in all those whose lives he touched and who now study, teach, and work in the field, as well as in all they will accomplish in the fields of architecture and urban design.

The Mark J. Bassett Design scholarship is intended to further this legacy by bringing more design-focused individuals to the Mpact Transit + Community conference and, in turn, deepening their exposure to the multiple aspects of building vibrant transit-oriented communities.

The scholarship welcomes applications from three categories of recipients:
  • Students
  • Academics or educators
  • Practitioners working in the nonprofit or public sector
One scholarship will be awarded in each of the three categories. All applicants must demonstrate that their work concentrates on architecture, community development, public transportation, transit-oriented development or a related discipline.

What does the scholarship cover? Each scholarship award will include:
  • Registration for the Mpact Transit + Community conference, scheduled for September 14-17, 2026, at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. One mobile workshop fee will also be covered by this scholarship.
  • Three nights at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel during the conference dates.
  • US$500.00 travel stipend to be provided after the Mpact Transit + Community conference, after attendance has been verified.
  • The scholarship recipients are required to attend the full duration of the Mpact Transit + Community conference.
Important Dates: Scholarship applications are due by 11:45pm CDT on June 30, 2026, with awards announced the week of July 20, 2026.

For more information about the Mpact Transit + Community conference, visit https://www.mpactmobility.org/conference/
APPLICATION
1.Contact Information(Required.)
2.Indicate which scholarship you’re applying for:
3.Please share the number of years you've worked in this field.
4.Please provide documentation that supports the application you are submitting for.

Student: Please provide a current transcript, either official or unofficial, from the most recent academic year.
Academic or educator: Please provide a current resume as documentation of employment as an educator or engagement in professional development training.
Practitioner working in the nonprofit or public sector: Please provide a current resume.
No file chosen
5.In 2500 characters or fewer, please explain what drives your interest in attending the Mpact Transit + Community Conference. In a few sentences, please explain how you think the conference will impact your work and, after the conference, the people or audiences with whom you intend to share your insights.(Required.)
6.In 2500 characters or fewer, discuss your experience in Architecture, Urban Design, or Community Development and how it aligns with Mpact’s emphasis on transit-oriented development and supporting communities.(Required.)
Click the "Submit" button below to complete your application.

Please visit our conference website to explore more about the Mpact Transit + Community Conference. Learn more from our cross-sector stakeholders by visiting Mpact:VOICES.