AIA Buffalo/WNY Chapter will dispense up to $9,000 in scholarship funding for 2026/2027 academic year, depending on quantity and quality of applicants, amounts may vary from year to year.  Winners will be notified by e-mail through the contact information provided below.

To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must meet the following qualifications:

• Applicant must have graduated from a high-school within the AIA Buffalo/Western New York Chapter which is comprised of all Erie, Niagara, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Orleans, Genesee, and Wyoming Counties.
• Applicant must be enrolled in a NAAB accredited architecture program, or enrolled in a program that has received NAAB ‘Candidacy’ status.
• Applicant must be enrolled in the aforementioned program in the Academic Year 2026/2027. Attendance in a 2026 Summer Study Abroad program, which may affect an applicant’s enrollment for the full Academic Year 2025/2026, will be taken into consideration.
  • Please note: All scholarship monies must be used towards education in the Academic Year 2026/2027.
• Applicant must meet the following enrollment requirements: At least one year of completed course work in a B.Arch program or one semester in a M.arch program.
• Applicant can apply for repeat scholarships.
• Applicant must submit official and complete digital application on or before March 12th, 2026 (mandatory for consideration).

College/University Information

The school must be NAAB Accredited or have achieved ‘Candidacy’ Status 

High School Information

Please note:

• Include ‘Scholarship Application’ and your LAST NAME as the file name
• Please keep submissions to less than 5Mb
• Applications must be received by 5:00pm on March 12th, 2026
• Application questions may be submitted to info@aiabuffalowny.org and will be answered in a timely manner

 

Please assemble your complete submission in the following order:

• High School Diploma. A photocopied PDF is preferred.
• Resume. Your resume should include educational background, architectural qualifications, relevant work experience (if any), architecture competitions, activities and information. Please limit to two pages. 
• Applicant Statement. Prepare a double-spaced, typewritten response (Arial 11 font) of approx 500 words, to the prompt:Describe your interest in architecture and what has drawn you to this profession.
• Letters of Reference.
  
  • Provide two letters of reference
  • (1) one must be from a current professor
  • (1) one can be from a faculty advisor, employer, or supervisor who can attest to your architecture interests and/or experience
  • These people may not be relatives
  • Letters should be written to the attention of the 2026/2027 AIA Buffalo/WNY Scholarship Committee.