The Paul Pholeros Foundation established the Paul Pholeros Architecture Scholarship in 2022 to honour Paul’s lifelong commitment to improving people’s living environments and investing in the professional growth of recently graduated Architects.
In 2025 the Scholarship became the Paul Pholeros Living Environment Scholarship, broadened to include applications from recently graduated Landscape Architects.
What is the Scholarship
The Scholarship is offered by the Paul Pholeros Foundation to support recently graduated Architecture and Landscape Architecture graduates (within 5 years of graduation) to explore an issue or topic related to improvements in health and living conditions of Australian society.
Two Scholarships are awarded each year with each successful applicant receiving $4,000. The area of study is defined by applicants.
Scholars must complete their study within 12 months of commencement and are required to submit a Final Report or an alternative outcome as approved by the PPF. An alternative outcome may include an exhibition, video, built model, teaching and presentation materials, podcast or other outcome deemed appropriate to the applicant’s field of study.
Submissions for PPLES 2026 are due on 15 May.
Study Topics
The area of study is defined by each applicant and may include topics such as social housing, sustainable resources, urban and environmental planning, responses to impacts of climate change, rural development, Indigenous housing.
Some areas of interest addressed in previous applications:
Using recycled and recyclable materials for building – video, Typological study of Shade Structures for Northern Australia which developed a Guide and accompanying Atlas, Developing a proactive framework to improve liveability around the Suburban Rail Loop in Melbourne, Social housing issues, Short term and long term considerations for areas affected by serious flood events, and Exploring how the practice of Landscape Architecture can empower local councils to introduce new approaches that will result in sustainable public space renewal.
Applicants must nominate a Mentor whose role is to provide guidance as needed by the Applicant during the development and implementation of the study. It is not an academic supervisory role. The Mentor will also be the Applicant’s referee, available to provide a verbal reference for Applicants who reach the final stages of selection. The Mentor does not need to be an architect or landscape architect however they must have expertise in the area of the Applicant’s Study Proposal.
