AIA Chicago Foundation Diversity Scholarship
AIA Chicago Foundation Diversity Scholarship Initiative, managed by the AIA Chicago Foundation, is an opportunity to attract and retain diverse, talented young professionals in Chicago and recognizes the value of new and unique voices in the profession. Two $10,000 scholarships are awarded each year.
Donate to the Diversity Scholarship Fund here.
2022 Recipients
Mallikarjun Gudoor, Illinois Institute of Technology
Mistika Jimenez, Illinois Institute of Technology
2021 Recipients
William Manzanilla, Illinois Institute of Technology
Hsu Myat Aung, Illinois Institute of Technology
GRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP - $10,000
The Graduate Scholarship is a design scholarship established to increase diversity* within the architectural profession by aiding an incoming or currently enrolled graduate student attending a Chicago-based college of architecture. A five-thousand-dollar ($5,000) scholarship toward tuition will be awarded for two years to a single recipient for a total of ten thousand dollars ($10.000)**.
To help the scholarship recipient establish contacts within the profession, the recipient will be assigned a mentor from AIA Chicago for the scholarship years.
Eligibility:
- Graduate student entering or enrolled in a NAAB accredited master’s degree program in architecture at Illinois Institute of Technology, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, or the University of Illinois at Chicago in the fall of 2022 with at least two years remaining.
- Demonstrate and show proof of financial need
- Demonstrate creative potential
- Fulfill diversity requirements
Submission Requirements:
- Portfolio - Group work accepted, but applicant must demonstrate their contribution
- A one-page resume
- Submit FAFSA form (if you are considered a dependent) or your most recent tax document (if you are considered independent)
- 500-1000-word statement which addresses fulfillment of *diversity requirements.
- Submit a two - three-minute video statement discussing 1) why architecture. 2) your future career plans and how they will have an impact on Chicago 3) why you should be AIA Chicago Foundation’s choice for 2022 Diversity Scholarship.
- Two (2) letters of recommendation; one letter must be from a professor or an employer from a firm related to the practice of architecture or built environment and should address your potential as an architect
Finalists for the scholarship will be interviewed by AIA Chicago Foundation Board.
Submission Deadline: May 3, 2022
Virtual Interviews: May/June 2022
Notifications: June 2022
The scholarship recipient will be recognized at AIA Chicago award celebrations and will be featured in Chicago Architect magazine.
* The American Institute of Architects recognizes that diversity enhances our membership, our profession, and the quality of life in our communities. Our programs and initiatives shall reflect the society that we serve, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, physical abilities, or religious practices. AIA strives to ensure equal access to professional degrees in architecture for those who are underrepresented in our profession.
**Assumes recipient is enrolled in the first year of a two (2) year program or the first or second year of a (3) year program at the schools listed above.
Questions: Allison Garwood Freedland, afreedland@aiachicago.org
Preview application questions here.
UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP - $10,000
The Undergraduate Scholarship is an academic scholarship established to increase diversity* within the architectural profession by aiding a current undergraduate student or student transferring into the B.Arch program at the Illinois Institute of Architecture or the BS program in Architecture at the University of Illinois at Chicago. The five thousand-dollar ($5,000) scholarship toward tuition will be awarded annually to a single recipient for a total of ten thousand dollars ($10,000)**.
To help the scholarship recipient establish contacts within the profession, the recipient will be assigned a young professional mentor from AIA Chicago for the scholarship years.
Eligibility:
- Undergraduate student or transfer student entering their 3rd or 4th year of an architecture program at Illinois Institute of Technology or University of Illinois at Chicago in the fall of 2022.
- Demonstrate financial need
- Fulfill diversity requirements
Submission Requirements:
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Submit FAFSA form
- One-page statement which addresses fulfillment of *diversity requirements.
- Three (3) portfolio images accompanied by brief descriptions. Group work accepted, but applicant must demonstrate their contribution.
- Submit a two - three-minute video statement discussing 1) why architecture. 2) your future career plans and how they will have an impact on Chicago 3) why you should be AIA Chicago Foundation’s choice for 2022 Diversity Scholarship.
- Two (2) letters of recommendation; one letter should address your potential as an architect
Finalists for the scholarship will be interviewed by AIA Chicago Foundation Board.
Submission Deadline: May 3, 2022
Virtual Interviews: May/June 2022
Notifications: June 2022
The scholarship recipient will be recognized at the AIA Chicago award celebrations and will be featured in Chicago Architect magazine.
* The American Institute of Architects recognizes that diversity enhances our membership, our profession, and the quality of life in our communities. Our programs and initiatives shall reflect the society that we serve, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, physical abilities, or religious practices. AIA strives to ensure equal access to professional degrees in architecture for those who are underrepresented in our profession.
**Assumes recipient is enrolled in a four (4) or five (5) year undergraduate program.
Questions: Allison Garwood Freedland, afreedland@aiachicago.org
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