AIA Miami Scholarship Application

Name

First NameLast Name

Email

example@example.com

Phone Number

Please enter a valid phone number.

I am applying for:*

I am / identify as:*

I am / am not an AIA Member:*

My AIAS number (not a requirement):

I am a US Citizen or Resident:*

Attached are:*

1 headshot LastName.FirstName.Headshot.pdf

File Upload - 1 headshot LastName.FirstName.Headshot.pdf*

1 short bio LastName.FirstName.Bio.pdf

Fie Upload - 1 short bio LastName.FirstName.Bio.pdf*

1 compiled PDF LastName.FirstName.AIA Black American Scholarship.pdf, maximum 15MB, in order shown below*

Proof of current enrollment at MDC, UM or FIUOR Letter of Acceptance to MDC, UM or FIU for 2025-2026 academic yearGPA / Transcript (does not have to be official)Portfolio/Work Sample (5 pages maximum)Two Letters of Recommendation, specific to this scholarship applicationLetter of Interest (1,000 words maximum)

File Upload - 1 compiled PDF LastName.FirstName.AIA Black American Scholarship.pdf *

If I am awarded this Black American Scholarship, I acknowledge the schedule and will plan on attending the AIA Miami Gala on October 24, 2025*

I acknowldege

I consent to the use of my headshot and bio on the AIA Miami website, social media, email blasts, promotions, etc.*

I consent

If I am awarded this Black American Scholarship, I acknowledge and consent to my obligation to provide a short video, 59 seconds max*

I acknowledge

BLACK AMERICAN SCHOLARSHIP

SCHOLARSHIP DESCRIPTION
Architecture plays a vital role in the shaping of our communities, yet the Architecture profession is profoundly lacking in diversity, specifically Black American representation. While Black Americans make up 14% of the US population (US Census 2020), out of almost 121,500 nationally registered architects, they represent a dismal 2.14% with Black American women representing a staggering 0.5%. In its continued commitment to actionable accountability through increasing the diversification of the Architectural profession, AIA Miami is offering a scholarship program specific to the advancement of Black Americans into the profession. The scholarship will strategically focus on education, with the aim of providing opportunities to facilitate an increase in the number of black American architecture graduates; with the potential of becoming licensed professionals, a forward step in closing the racial disparity gap within the profession.

The Black American scholarship supports the recruitment and retention of Black Americans in accredited architectural degree programs by assisting scholarship recipients with offsetting the cost of tuition, books, and materials. A minimum of one scholarship valued up to $3,500 will be awarded annually. The number and value of awards may vary year-to-year based on applications and available funds.

Each scholarship recipient receives AIA Miami community exposure, in addition to the funds towards their architecture degree cost.

ELEGIBILITY
The AIA Miami Black American Diversity Scholarship is open to those who increase diversity in the profession and meet the following criteria:
• Applicants must identify as Black or Black American or African American
• US citizen/resident
• Open to students actively enrolled in School of Architecture Programs at MDC, UM, FIU or have graduated from MDC or DASH in 2025.

SCHEDULE
• Open: Monday, August 4th, 2025.
• Deadline: Monday, September 29th, 2025, by 11:59pm EST
• Recipient Notification: Monday, October 6th, 2025
• Official Announcements:
o Annual AIA Design Awards Gala, October 24th, 2025. A complimentary ticket will be provided for each awardee; please plan on attending this event.
o AIA Miami website and social media accounts - headshot needed

APPLICATION CRITERIA
Applicant must submit the following:
• Headshot as a separate file: LastName.FirstName.Headshot.pdf
• Short bio as a separate file: LastName.FirstName.Bio.pdf
• File name: LastName.FirstName.AIA Black American Scholarship.pdf
• 1 compiled PDF, maximum 15MB, in order shown below
• Proof of current enrollment at MDC, UM, or FIU; OR, letter of acceptance into MDC, UM, or FIU for 2025-2026 academic year; OR, proof of 2025 graduation from DASH
• Minimum GPA of 3.2
• Portfolio/Work Sample (maximum of 5 PDF pages with 300 dpi minimum)
• Two Letters of Recommendation from a teacher/professor or someone in the architecture profession, specific to this scholarship application
• Letter of Interest
A brief introduction of applicant outlining why applicant has decided to pursue a degree in architecture and how applicant envisions themselves impacting the profession. Include achievements in and out of school such as community involvement, volunteering, club associations, academic awards, etc. Include a brief statement of financial need and how the scholarship will be used - books, supplies, tuition, etc. (1,000 word maximum)

Scholarship Award Recipient Obligations:
• Follow up requirements, 1 year report, due by September 2026. Recipients are required to provide:
• a short video, 59 seconds max, telling us a little bit about receiving the scholarship and how important it was to you in your academic studies.

The Scholarship is awarded based on recommendations of the Selection Committee, as appointed by the AIA Miami Scholarship Committee.

None of the submitted materials will be returned to the applicant and may be retained and used by AIA Miami.

AIA Miami BLACK AMERICAN Scholarship Application