Fall 2027 PhD Admissions Update

University-funded PhD Applicants

For the fall 2027 admissions cycle, Weitzman is accepting University-funded PhD applicants for the following research areas:

PhD in City and Regional Planning

All research areas accepted, but specific funding is available for candidates with a demonstrated background in:

  • Energy policy and planning
  • History of the built environment
  • The global south

This page will be updated if additional opportunities for other research areas become available.

PhD in Architecture

We are only accepting candidates in the following research area(s):

  • A PhD position is open to work in interdisciplinary research across Architecture, Epidemiology, Entomology and Public Health for a project on 3D printed housing and Epidemiology. The project includes fieldwork at different sites across the US ability and desire to travel and visit houses is a requisite. For Architecture students the following technical skills are required: experience working with environmental sensors, data analysis, energy modeling, environmental simulations and computational fluid dynamics. A master’s degree in a related field is a prerequisite.
  • A PhD position is open to candidates interested in pursuing cutting-edge research in the modeling, design and fabrication of environmentally friendly materials and composites, and structures for responsive and/or living building components to mitigate the critical challenges of global warming associated with extreme urban environments. This position will be partially funded by an NSF Training grant, NRT CLIMATE-CARE, and therefore is limited to US citizens, nationals and permanent residents.

This page will be updated if additional opportunities for other research areas become available.

Externally Funded PhD Applicants

For the fall 2027 admissions cycle, Weitzman is accepting externally funded PhD applicants to both the PhD in City and Regional Planning and PhD in Architecture programs. Externally funded applicants are those who can demonstrate sufficient funding from a third party/external source such as an employer, government, or organization. We do not accept self-pay PhD students. Funding must cover four years of tuition, general fee, clinical fee, health insurance, and the University’s minimum stipend ($49,000). Tuition typically increases 4% each year. Candidates with confirmed external funding may email admissions@design.upenn.edu for more information.