Encouraging and elevating diverse ideas and cultures in architecture is an 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. That initial investment along with an AIA Component Matching Grant allows AIAWA to award (2) scholarships each year.
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 “2024 Selection Committee”
- These may be from teachers, mentors, coaches, or any non-family adult
- 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.
- Only complete applications will be considered for an award.
Questions
Questions about eligibility, application specifics or timeline, please contact Tammie Sueirro at tsueirro@aiawa.org.
2024 Timeline
- Applications will be reviewed: September 1 – November 1, 2024
- Scholarship recipients notified: December 1, 2024
2024 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.