Grant Opportunities

Coinciding with AICP Exam schedule, our Division offers a grant reimbursement opportunity to current members for certification-related expenses, such as exam fees and study materials.

The APA City Planning and Management Division takes pride in supporting our members as they pursue AICP credentials. Our reimbursement grant offers educational opportunities, professional development, and financial assistance.

Stay tuned for the upcoming AICP Grants this fall!

Natasha Miles is a Certified Planning and Zoning Official of Alabama and currently serves as the Planner for the City of Daphne. She began her academic and professional career at Auburn University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a major in Accountancy. While earning her bachelor’s degree she worked for the university’s Athletic Department as well as the Crops, Soils, and Environmental Sciences Department. In 2020, she earned her Master of Community Planning degree. During this time, she worked as a Graduate Assistant for Auburn’s Library of Architecture, Design, and Construction. She has presented at the National Planning Conference, in San Francisco, with her recommendations for “A Greener Future.” She was also recognized at the 2019 Alabama-Mississippi APA Conference, with the Distinguished Leadership Award for a Planning Student/Team, for her contributions to the City of Dothan 2035 Wellness District Comprehensive Plan, capstone project. Ms. Miles hopes to apply her knowledge in finance, planning, and sustainability to help promote equitable and sustainable communities that benefit all stakeholders.

Ryan Silber - Recent Master's of Public Administration Graduate of Harvard Kennedy School of Government - Ryan Silber is a land use planning and policy expert dedicated to advancing solutions for sustainable and equitable growth and currently seeking opportunities in California. He graduated in May with a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard University where he focused on climate change policy, public works projects, and economic development. While at school, Ryan worked at the Growth Lab, served on the Council of Student Sustainability Leaders, and hosted dignitaries, advocates, and practitioners combatting climate change. Prior to returning to school, Ryan spent over five years in the California Governor’s Office of Planning and Research and the Strategic Growth Council. In these roles, he administered $1.2 billion in place-based investments, managed California’s Environmental Leadership Development Project certification program, sat on the California Housing Finance Agency Board of Directors, and contributed to statewide plans and policy for greenhouse gas mitigation, climate change adaptation, housing production, and displacement avoidance. Ryan will continue supporting intersectional goals of sustainability, resilience, and inclusive opportunity in his future endeavors and welcomes conversations with those endeavoring to do the same.

Johnathan Gates, a Management Fellow with the City of Phoenix, has a background in transportation and public policy. He serves on the APA Student Representative Council as the Region 5 representative and is also the liaison to the AICP Commission. Johnathan is passionate about creating vibrant and inclusive communities. His goals include bringing fresh perspectives to cities to advance innovative urban solutions. He is excited to continue contributing to the field of planning and making a positive impact on urban development. In terms of career goals, Johnathan aims to advance the planning profession by engaging in diverse areas such as city, transportation, airport, and tourism planning. By gaining experience across these fields, he aims to develop a comprehensive practice throughout his career. Ultimately, he aspires to take on leadership roles where he can influence policy and drive forward-thinking urban development initiatives.

Michael Greco is a recent graduate from Florida State University, where they earned a Master of Science in Urban and Regional Planning. During his studies, Michael specialized in Placemaking through Sustainable Transportation and Community Development, which equipped him with a deep understanding of how to create dynamic and inclusive urban environments. Michael has gained practical experience through his work with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and NUE Urban Concepts. Notably, he has been involved in projects that emphasize equity and active transportation. This has included developing bike and pedestrian safety measures, creating guidebooks for bike and pedestrian audits, and conducting multimodal transportation planning. Michael is passionate about creating equitable, vibrant, and sustainable communities through innovative urban design and inclusive community engagement.

Tharani Devi Palma is a Principal Planner for the City of Arlington in Texas. She attained her dual Master’s degree from the University of Texas in Social Work and Urban Affairs & Policy. She also earned an MBA from the University of the Cumberlands. Guiding her work further, she has been certified as a Floodplain Manager. A Section’s Representative for APA’s Texas Chapter, she encourages planners to get involved and make a difference. She is instrumental in advocacy and community engagement. Her vision is to effectively address complex challenges of urban development and create thriving, sustainable communities. Tharani Devi Palma exemplifies what makes planners truly phenomenal professionals and community allies!

We were thrilled to announce that the City Planning & Management Division of APA offered reimbursement grants to support our division members! This initiative aimed to enhance their involvement in the planning profession by supporting their participation in the National Planning Conference (NPC24) in Minneapolis from April 13-16, 2024, or Online from May 8-10, 2024.

We believed that this opportunity would not only benefit them individually but also contribute to the collective growth and development of our division, as well as the planning profession as a whole. We encouraged all eligible members to take advantage of this grant and looked forward to seeing their active participation at NPC24.

The APA City Planning and Management Division supported our members in achieving their AICP credentials. APA City proudly offered the AICP Test Fees and Study Materials Reimbursement Grant Program to assist our members. AICP Grants will return this spring!

The APA City Planning and Management Division proudly supported our members in achieving their AICP credentials. We offered the AICP Grant Program to assist our members. Stay tuned for the upcoming AICP Grants this spring!