The AJ/RPS Urban Design Scholarship Programme has been developed as an opportunity for young architects or designers to participate in the work of Design for London, and to improve their understanding of urban design and the processes of making and remaking pieces of the city. The scholars spend time with Design for London, attending project reviews and design meetings, and also develop a project of their own, working closely with a mentor from Design for London.

This has been the first year of the two year programme. Three scholars have been selected following an open competition in summer 2008. Fiona Scott of Gort Scott Architects has been exploring London's ancient High Streets, many of which are based on Roman routes, and focused particularly on Ilford High Street. Joe Morris of Duggan Morris Architects has been exploring Walthamstow Marshes in the Lea Valley and developing strategies to reunite these beautiful but underused open spaces with the communities surrounding them. Alicia Pivaro, an independent curator and writer, has been working on ideas to bring London's open spaces to life, using Royal Albert Dock as a test bed for her ideas.

The scholars have provided updates on their projects and their observations of life in Design for London, in regular articles in The Architects' Journal. This has culminated in an exhibition of the work and ideas emerging from the first year's scholars in May 2009. A competition to find the next group of scholars will be launched in summer 2009.