Encouraging and elevating diverse ideas and cultures in architecture is a valuable asset to the profession.  The SMR Architects-AIA Washington Council Diversity Scholarship offers students with a passion for architecture an opportunity to begin or continue their pursuit of an architectural degree.

The SMR Architects-AIA Washington Council Diversity Scholarship was created in 2023 with an initial investment from SMR Architects with a goal of providing financial assistance to students early in their architectural education who come from marginalized and underrepresented communities.  

Eligible students must live in Washington state for a minimum of (2) consecutive years and be pursuing one of the following:

  • A high school student planning to enroll in a technical school or community college architectural program in Washington;
  • A technical school or community college student who has completed high school or its equivalent and intends to transfer to the architecture program at the Univ. of Washington or Washington State University;
  • A student admitted to the undergraduate architecture program who is in the first year of study within the major at University of Washington or Washington State University.

Application Process

Applicants must submit:

  • A completed scholarship application form and written portion
  • Two letters of recommendation, addressed to “2023 Selection Committee”
    1. These may be from teachers, mentors, coaches, or any non-family adult 
    2. Letters should address the question:  “What makes you believe this student will be a successful architect?”
  • 3-5 examples of creative works, need not be architectural. Examples include but are not limited to drafting, artwork, writing, digital media.

Questions

Questions about eligibility, application specifics or timeline, please contact Tammie Sueirro at tsueirro@aiawa.org.

2023 Timeline

  • Application period opens: September 1, 2023
  • Deadline for application: October 15, 2023
  • Scholarship recipients notified: November, 2023

Application

The SMR-AIA Washington Council Diversity Scholarship was created to support marginalized and/or underrepresented students early in their architectural education and is offering one (1) $1,000 scholarship and one (1) $2000 scholarship to two students meeting the requirements set forth below.

Name(Required)
To ensure anonymity, an Applicant ID will be used instead of your name during the evaluation process. Please enter your first, middle, and last initial followed by the last 4 digits of your phone number. Your applicant ID can be no more than 7 characters long. For example, Jane Marie Doe would enter JMD1234.
Residency(Required)
Have you lived in Washington State for the last (2) Consecutive Years?
Will you be attending one of the following schools in 2023-24? If Yes, check one box.(Required)
Please attach a PDF of your most recent UNOFFICIAL academic transcript.
Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 5 MB.
Have you completed high school or GED?(Required)
Have you completed your 1st year of architectural studies?(Required)
Did you qualify for financial aid for 2023-24? (FAFSA, WASFA)(Required)
What do you see as the potential impact you could make as an architect to improve communities and how does this influence your passion for becoming an architect? Be sure to include examples of how your current involvement or past experiences have shaped your answer.
As a member of a marginalized or underrepresented community, what obstacle(s) do you face that affect your ability to continue/complete your architectural education?
Please provide 3-5 examples of creative works. Examples may include but are not limited to drafting, artwork, writing, digital media. Your examples will be submitted as (1) file separate from the application form. It shall be no more than 5MB in PDF format. Please use your Applicant ID and not your name on this file.
Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 5 MB.
It shall be no more than 5MB in PDF format. Please use your Applicant ID and not your name on this file.
Accepted file types: pdf, Max. file size: 5 MB.