New York, NY IA Interior Architects, in collaboration with the IIDA Foundation, has created a new scholarship that aims to promote diversity and innovation and a better understanding of how the two rely upon each other.

Created in partnership with the IIDA Foundation, the IA Interior Architects Diversity in Design Scholarship Fund seeks to provide financial aid to students currently enrolled in an architecture or interior design program. 

The scholarship is available worldwide to those attending either graduate or undergraduate programs. 

Students currently enrolled in a design or architecture program are encouraged to participate by writing a 500-word essay that expresses their point of view on the world of design through different lenses and how diversity and innovation are interrelated. Each year for the duration of the partnership, six students will be awarded scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000.

For the full submission guidelines, be sure to visit the IIDA website to view essay requirements, or to learn more about the program.

“Diversity of background, experiences and identities is vital to the future of our industry, as these varied perspectives create environments in which truly novel ideas can flourish,” said IIDA Executive Vice President and CEO Cheryl S. Durst, Hon. FIIDA. “We are appreciative that IA Interior Architects shares these values and are excited to leverage this scholarship to continue our focus on bringing more diversity to the profession.”

“At IA Interior Architects, our commitment to the future of interior architecture is a firm-wide passion,” said Tom Powers and David Bourke, Co-presidents/CEOs of IA Interior Architects. “This translates into a desire to mentor the development of young, visionary designers within our studios. We also recognize that the future of design begins at the university level. IA is proud to be part of this new IIDA Foundation initiative, and we hope this scholarship will play a part in moving that cause forward.”