Interested in submitting a proposal to the 2027 Paul Gunther Prize? Join the League for an online information session to learn more about the Prize, eligibility, and submission requirements, with a moderated Q&A for audience questions.

In 2027, the Paul Gunther Prize will award a grant of $20,000 to one individual or independent, interdisciplinary team consisting of designers and/or scholars to pursue a proposal for creating, improving, or preserving inclusive public space in New York City. 

Submissions are due by 11:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday, December 16, 2026. For application instructions, eligibility, and submission requirements, please see the 2027 Request for Proposals.

Speakers

The information session and audience Q&A will be moderated by the League’s executive director Jacob R. Moore and Joel Sanders.

Joel Sanders is the founding principal of the architectural design studio and consultancy JSA/MIXdesign, whose work focuses on expanding accessibility in public spaces and everyday building types beyond code compliance. Sanders is a professor at the Yale School of Architecture and the Yale School of Public Health, and previously, he was the director of the graduate program in architecture at Parsons School of Design and an assistant professor at Princeton University. An active member of the design community, Sanders has served on committees and panels on behalf of the American Academy in Rome, MacDowell Colony, American Institute of Architects, the GSA Peer Review, the Van Alen Institute’s Program Leadership Council, and The Architectural League.

Support

The Paul Gunther Prize for Inclusive Public Space is supported by the Paul Gunther Fund. Seeded in 2025, the Fund ensures that promising designers and scholars will have the resources to advance impactful, actionable proposals that strengthen and expand the public realm that Paul Gunther so passionately defended. The success of the Paul Gunther Fund depends on the generosity of those who believe in the value of strengthening shared urban spaces. Your support will enable the League to continue investing in the architects, designers, and thinkers who have the potential to redefine and shape the future of our built environment. Learn more about and contribute to the Fund below.