2026 PlanON Awards Now Open for Submissions! 2026 PlanON Awards Now Open for Submissions! 2026 PlanON Awards Now Open for Submissions! 2026 PlanON Awards Now Open for Submissions! 2026 PlanON Awards Now Open for Submissions! 2026 PlanON Awards Now Open for Submissions! 2026 PlanON Awards Now Open for Submissions! 2026 PlanON Awards Now Open for Submissions!
2026 PlanON Awards Now Open for Submissions! 2026 PlanON Awards Now Open for Submissions! 2026 PlanON Awards Now Open for Submissions! 2026 PlanON Awards Now Open for Submissions! 2026 PlanON Awards Now Open for Submissions! 2026 PlanON Awards Now Open for Submissions! 2026 PlanON Awards Now Open for Submissions! 2026 PlanON Awards Now Open for Submissions!
Important Dates
| Description | Date |
|---|---|
| Call for submissions opens | April 8, 2026 |
| Call for submissions closes | June 1, 2026 |
| Jury Deliberations | July 2026 |
| Winners announced | August 2026 |
| PlanON Awards ceremony | September 17, 2026 |
Award Categories
Our program celebrates both individuals and projects within our community, acknowledging exceptional contributions in education, research, or volunteerism. The PlanON Awards are the highest honour OPPI can bestow and for that reason there may be no awards presented in a given category.
Celebrating Projects
PlanON 2026 Vision Award
No limit to the number of awards that may be given in this category.
The PlanON Vision Award celebrates Registered Professional Planners (RPPs) and their teams who have demonstrated excellence in advancing the public interest by addressing key challenges facing the planning profession in Ontario, such as climate change, innovations in planning, affordable housing, transit, technology, inclusivity, and more.
Submissions may include, but are not limited to:
- Master plans
- Indigenous insights
- Community improvement plans
- Urban design concepts
- Recognizing innovative approaches to project management
- Policy development
- Public engagement
- Data management throughout the planning process
The panel of jurors will decide how many awards will be bestowed in this category, including:
- Awards of Merit (submissions with scores of 80 to 89)
- Awards of Excellence (submissions with scores of 90 to 100)
- Project of the Year Award (selected from the Awards of Excellence recipients)
The coveted Project of the Year Award may be awarded at the jurors’ discretion and is the only award that will be kept secret until the PlanON Awards ceremony.
PlanON Public Education Award
Up to two (2) awards may be given in this category.
This award celebrates professional planners who have made meaningful contributions to advance public education within or outside the planning profession in Ontario. Submissions could include technical booklets, publications, pamphlets, newsletters, brochures, audio-visual presentations, workshops, online information, open houses, and more.
PlanON Innovative Research Award
Up to two (2) awards may be given in this category.
This award celebrates innovative academic researchers within the planning profession who, through scholarly activities, including academic papers, research, or publications, have the ability to positively impact the future of the planning profession in Ontario. Submissions should contain evidence-based research that provides a fresh perspective or defines emerging areas of planning, while also offering insight into new focus areas for planners.
Celebrating People
PlanON Emerging Leadership Award
One (1) award may be given in this category.
This award celebrates the future leaders of tomorrow within the planning profession by recognizing professionals in the first seven (7) years of their careers, who exemplify the qualities of leadership, collaboration, professionalism, and/or empowering others. Submissions should include any noteworthy contributions made to the planning profession during their time working as planners in Ontario.
PlanON RPP Leadership Award
One (1) award may be given in this category.
This award celebrates the trailblazers within the planning profession by recognizing Registered Professional Planners (RPPs) who exemplify the qualities of leadership, collaboration, professionalism, and/or empowering others. Submissions should include any noteworthy contributions made to the planning profession during their time working as planners in Ontario.
PlanON Volunteer Service Award
Up to two (2) awards may be given in this category.
The OPPI Volunteer Service Award recognizes the extraordinary service and significant contribution of OPPI volunteers. The awards recognize volunteers who have raised awareness for the planning profession, mentored students, or nurtured relationships, been involved with a special project or program, and more.
How to Submit
To submit, applicants must complete the online submission form during the official Call for Submissions period. Be sure to review eligibility, questions, and attachment requirements for each award. After you start your application, you can always continue, update or edit your submission before the deadline.
Juror Profiles
The PlanON Awards are judged by a panel of jurors, consisting of OPPI members and allied professionals. The jury panel can be made up of individuals from within and outside the planning profession from diverse geographic areas, sectors, backgrounds, and demographics.
Past Winners
Past PlanON Award winners, recognized by the Ontario Professional Planners Institute, represent the best in planning excellence across Ontario. From innovative urban design and sustainable development initiatives to transformative policy and community-building projects, these award winners showcase the impact of thoughtful, forward-looking planning in shaping strong and resilient communities.
FAQ
Curious about the PlanON Awards? Find answers to our most frequently asked questions about submissions, eligibility, and recognition here. Please contact [email protected] – we’re happy to help!
Q: What is the cost to submit to the PlanON Awards?
A: There is no cost to submit to the PlanON Awards, and there are no limits on the number of entries. Please feel free to submit as many proposals as you like that showcase your achievements and contributions to planning excellence.
Q: When can I submit an entry to this year’s PlanON Awards?
A: The submission period typically runs from April to June. Once the dates are announced, please refer to the Important Dates for full details.
Q: Can I nominate myself for a Celebrating People Award?
A: Yes. You can nominate yourself, or someone else can nominate you, if you meet the eligibility requirements for any of the Celebrating People Awards, including the PlanON Emerging Leadership Award, PlanON RPP Leadership Award, and PlanON Volunteer Service Award.
Q: Is there any flexibility for a Pre-Candidate member to submit for the PlanON Public Education Award?
A: The PlanON Public Education Award is limited to individuals or teams with at least one Full or Candidate OPPI member. If a team member on your project meets this membership requirement, your project may still be eligible. Otherwise, you might consider applying for other PlanON Awards open to Pre-Candidate members, such as the PlanON Innovative Research Award, PlanON Emerging Leadership Award, or PlanON Volunteer Service Award.
Q: Our project has not yet been fully implemented or adopted. Would it be eligible for the PlanON Vision Award?
A: Eligibility depends on the anticipated implementation/adoption timeline. If your project is selected for an award, final approval must be in place before the award is granted in September. Please:
- Once your project is officially approved, email proof of approval so jurors can consider it during final assessment.
- Include the anticipated implementation/adoption date in your submission.
Q: Can we submit a multi-phase, multi-year project for the PlanON Vision Award if it’s not fully constructed?
A: There are two possible approaches you may consider:
- You may submit the full multi-year, multi-phase project, even if it has not yet been fully implemented, provided it has received formal approval before the award is granted in September.
- Alternatively, you may choose to submit the specific phase which has been implemented, positioning it within the broader multi-year/multi-phase initiative.
Either approach would be eligible for consideration. We encourage you to select the option that best showcases the strength, impact, and vision of your project.
Q: Our supporting document is a large graphic report that exceeds the file size limit. Can we include a link to an online version?
A: Yes, it’s perfectly fine to upload a PDF that includes a link to the full graphic report. Just be sure to note in the PDF that the complete document is accessible online via the link provided. You’re also welcome to highlight this in your one-page cover letter to ensure it’s clear to the jurors.
Q: How many trophies will be given if we win as a team, and is it possible to get extra for interested team members?
A: Yes. One trophy is presented per winning team at the Awards Ceremony. Additional trophies may be purchased – please contact us for details.