Fellowships and Scholarships

AIA/AAF Minority/Disadvantaged Scholarship

AAF Minority/Disadvantaged Scholarship Nomination Form | PDF, 74K, 2 pages.

The American Architectural Foundation offers the Minority/Disadvantaged Scholarships in order to encourage diversity and equity in the architectural profession. These scholarships are open to high school seniors and college freshmen who plan to study architecture at a NAAB-accredited program. The scholarship program was established in 1970 by a grant from the Ford Foundation to aid students who would not otherwise have an opportunity to enter a professional degree program. Twenty awards are made per year and may be renewed for two additional years, ideally maintaining 60 students in the program in any given year. Scholarship amounts range between $500 and $2,500 and are determined by evaluation of financial need information provided by the student and the school.

The application process has two parts: an initial nomination by a high school guidance counselor, architect, or other individual who is aware of the student's interest and aptitude for architecture, and an application which is sent to eligible students after nominations are reviewed. The nomination form is due in the first week of December and the application, an essay, statement of disadvantaged circumstances, letters of recommendations, transcripts and a drawing are due on January 15 of each year. For further information contact Catherine Roussel, AIA, at The American Institute of Architects: 202.626.7417 or croussel@aia.org.

The Richard Morris Hunt Fellowship

The Richard Morris Hunt Fellowship, sponsored by the American Architectural Foundation and The French Heritage Society as part of a commitment to stewardship of American and French heritage, is awarded to architects pursuing a career in historic preservation. The fellowship permits young architects from France and the United States to observe and practice the latest preservation technologies and techniques in each other’s countries. Inaugurated in 1990 as part of the organizations’ commitment to foster stewardship of architectural heritage, the recipients represent the best their countries have to offer in the field of historic preservation.

The six-month fellowship is named for Richard Morris Hunt, the first American architect to study at the École des Beaux-Arts and one of the most renowned 19th century American architects The six-month fellowship alternates each year between a French and an American architect and carries a stipend of $25,000.

In 2009, an American architect will be selected to follow a six-month work/study program in France. The application period has ended. Look for new deadline for 2010 later this year.