Olmstead Scholars Program

Over $150,000 is available for the 2025-26 academic year through 16 different scholarships. Eligible candidates are undergraduate or graduate students enrolled at colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada. Additional requirements vary by scholarship.

2026 Scholarship Application Process Timeline

Nov 2025 - Call for applications announced

Feb-Apr 2026 - Juries convene

Mar-Apr 2026 - Winners announced

On Thu, Dec 11 at 4pm EST, LAF will host an overview and office hours for potential applicants. Register below and join us to hear tips and get your questions answered.

The LAF Olmsted Scholars Program recognizes and supports students with exceptional leadership potential who are using ideas, influence, communication, service, and leadership to advance sustainable design and foster human and societal benefits.

Named for Frederick Law Olmsted, the LAF Olmsted Scholars Program with its $25,000 graduate and $15,000 undergraduate prize is the premier leadership recognition program for landscape architecture students. Now in its 18th year, the program recognizes one outstanding student from each accredited landscape architecture program in the U.S. and Canada, along with the jury-selected graduate and undergraduate national award winners and finalists. Students are both honored for past achievements and recognized for their future potential to influence the landscape architecture discipline.

These rising leaders join a growing community of 1,254 past and present LAF Olmsted Scholars. The prestige and opportunities associated with the award underscore the significance of landscape architecture and help cultivate the next generation of inspired and motivated leaders.