Home | Opportunities | The Delano & Aldrich/Emerson Fellowship

The Delano & Aldrich/Emerson Fellowship

$20,000 | Accepting applications: November 20, 2025 to January 20, 2026

Since 1930, the American Institute of Architects has awarded a French architect a fellowship for travel and study in the U.S. An important donation to the AIA was made before the last world war by the American alumni of the École Nationale Supérieure des Beaux-arts de Paris, William Delano and Chester M. Aldrich, with a view to founding a travel grant allowing a young French architect to discover or better understand the United States under the most diverse aspects: including architecture, urbanism, landscape architecture and interior design.

The fellowship selects one candidate to travel to the United States for three months with a budget of 20,000 USD.

The subjects will be more relevant if there is a connection with current issues, such as sustainable architecture, net zero buildings, resiliency, a healthy built environment and inclusive design. 

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Applicant Criteria:

  • French nationality
  • Graduated as an HMNOP architect or DE (or equivalent)
  • Age: from 23 to 35 years old

Application form*

  • Applicationletter (2 pages—10 MB)
  • Theme and issues of the trip:definition of the topic, study goals, travel logistics.  Keep in mind that this is a travel grant and not a university research grant. (4 pages—10 MB)
  • Résumé (curriculumvitæ, 1 page—10 MB)
  • Portfolio (selection, 4 pages—10MB)

 

* The documents can be written in either English or French.

The selected short-list proposals (6 to 8 in number) will present their topics in March 2026 during individual twenty (20)- minute interviews with the French Committee and a member of the American Committee, explaining the proposed travel project as well as the portfolio and any other documents useful for a better understanding of intent and motivation. Part of the interview will be conducted in English.

 

For the interview, the Jury will take place in 20 March 2025 at the Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Architecture de Paris – Belleville, 60 Boulevard de la Villette, 75019 Paris.

The funds can be provided to support one person or a pair team (2 individuals). In the case of a pair team, the duration of the stay in the United States may be reduced to two consecutive months.

To facilitate administrative procedures, entry to the United States requires an ESTA application and a valid passport.

At the request of the American Committee, the duration of the stay in the United States must be three consecutive months during the year 2026, to be completed before the end of year (except if any national restrictions, pandemic or otherwise, intervene). This clause must be respected.

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