Gensler Opportunity Scholarship + Design Challenge (US)

Gensler Opportunity Scholarship + Design Challenge (US) is sponsored by Gensler. Scholarships for students enrolled in U.S. not-for-profit architecture programs, including tuition support, micro-scholarships for materials, and internship opportunities to support emerging design talent. This program should be reviewed carefully against your organization's mission, staffing capacity, timeline, and compliance readiness before you commit resources to a full application. Strong submissions usually translate sponsor priorities into concrete objectives, clear implementation milestones, and measurable public benefit.

For planning purposes, treat March 15, 2026 as your working submission target unless the sponsor publishes an updated notice. A competitive project plan should include a documented need statement, implementation approach, evaluation framework, risk controls, and a realistic budget narrative. Even when a grant allows broad program design, reviewers still expect credible evidence that the proposed work can be executed within the grant period and with appropriate accountability.

Current published award information indicates $60,000 total program Organizations should verify the final funding range, matching requirements, and allowability rules directly in the official opportunity materials before preparing a budget. Finance and program teams should align early so direct costs, indirect costs, staffing assumptions, procurement timelines, and reporting obligations all remain consistent throughout drafting and post-award administration.

Eligibility guidance for this opportunity is: Students in U.S. not-for-profit architecture programs If your organization has partnerships, subrecipients, or collaborators, define responsibilities and compliance ownership before submission. Reviewers often look for implementation credibility, so letters of commitment, prior performance evidence, and a clear governance model can materially strengthen the application narrative and reduce concerns about delivery risk.

A practical approach is to begin with a focused readiness review, then build a workback schedule from the sponsor deadline. Confirm required attachments, registration dependencies, and internal approval checkpoints early. This reduces last-minute issues and improves submission quality. For the most accurate requirements, always rely on the official notice and primary source links associated with Gensler Opportunity Scholarship + Design Challenge (US).

Gensler Opportunity Scholarship | Gensler Gensler Research Institute Unlocking design solutions to navigate a changing world.

Latest Research & Insights Gensler Research Institute Latest Research & Insights Office to Residential Conversions Sustainability & Resilience Build to Suit & Headquarters Building Transformation & Adaptive Reuse Climate Action & Sustainability Digital Experience Design Foundations, Associations & Organizations Mixed Use & Retail Centers Mobility & Transportation Retail & Consumer Experience These scholarships work to break down the barriers of entering the architectural profession and provide opportunities for all students.

Students enrolled at a U. S. not-for-profit educational institution who will begin their final year of an NAAB-accredited architecture program in the Fall of 2026 are eligible to apply.

(5) $10,000 Tuition Scholarships Applicants for the Gensler Opportunity Scholarship must complete the following no later than 11:59 PM EST on March 15, 2026 . Complete an online application which includes: A Letter of Recommendation from the dean, chair, or faculty member of the program. The letter must confirm that the applicant meets the eligibility criteria and describe their professional excellence.

Personal Impact Statement that provides insight into how you have overcome adversity, demonstrated leadership and ways that you plan to use design to create a better tomorrow. Design Challenge Sketch and explanation. One advanced-level architecture project with written description (500 words and 10 pages, maximum).

Work done with a single partner may be submitted, but it must include a description of the applicant’s specific contribution and a letter of support from the applicant’s collaborative partner. Finalists will be invited to submit a digital video that introduces themselves to the jury and presents their work — see directions below. Our scholarships aim to break down the barriers for students to access architecture and design school.

Launch: Application portal opens Deadline: Online application uploaded Finalists notified via email Deadline: Finalists to submit videos for jury Winners notified via email Scholarship funds distributed We are in unprecedented times. Design is a tool for change. We live in a rapidly changing world where climate change, societal conflict, and uncertainty abound.

Despite these challenges, we are inspired support one another, come together as a profession, and use our voices for the betterment of society. If ever there was a moment for the power of design to elevate the human experience, this is it. The Design Challenge is only required for the Tuition Scholarship Applicants.

Answer one of the prompts with a sketch Write a brief explanation to describe your sketch Upload it, along with your resume, portfolio, positive impact statement, and letter of recommendation As Designers How Can We... How can we provide engaging and quality design for communities that have been historically neglected? This is our opportunity to use design as a tool to support communities who have been historically neglected.

Preserve and celebrate culture and community through sustainability? This is our chance to create a new normal, one that’s safer, healthier, and infused with innovative possibilities for the human experience. Reimagine ways for designers to make a difference?

Meaningful, creative, impactful, and bold ideas that are intentional in the ways they make a difference for all people is what we’re looking for. Design for inclusiveness in our practice, communities, and cities? This is our opportunity to explore current issues facing our cities and communities and how design can be a catalyst for change.

Students enrolled at a U. S. not-for-profit educational institution who will begin their final year of an NAAB-accredited architecture program in the Fall of 2026 are eligible to apply.

* (10) Micro-scholarships of various amounts ranging from $1,000-$2,500 Applicants for the scholarship must complete the following no later than 11:59PM EST on March 15, 2026 . *Current employees, recent former employees,and interns of Gensler, as well as their immediate families and those Gensler deems to presentconflicts of interest, are ineligible to participate.

Submission Requirements for Micro-Scholarships Complete an online application which includes: A Letter of Recommendation from the dean, chair, or faculty member of the program. The letter must confirm that the applicant meets the eligibility criteria and describe their professional excellence. Essay Question, 500 words maximum What do you see as the greatest value an architect can bring to their community or beyond?

How has your background and experiences (challenges overcome, leadership attributes, etc.) prepared you for playing a role in making this happen? Our micro-scholarships are intended for studio materials, books, etc.

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