For students · Undergraduate · National
Up to $20,000 in multiyear support for students beginning or continuing a NAAB-accredited architecture degree.
Applications open November 6, 2026, at noon ET, and close January 15, 2027.
Talent should decide who becomes an architect.
Architecture is about enhancing the human experience by creating buildings that reflect, serve, and strengthen communities. This scholarship began in 1970 with an initial grant from the Ford Foundation, after Whitney Young Jr. challenged architects in 1968 to build a more responsible profession. Read more about Whitney Young Jr.
Different viewpoints and cultures make the profession stronger. Next Generation Scholars join a supportive network of students whose imagination and commitment can change the future of the built environment.
Who can apply
You must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and one of the following:
- A high school senior planning to enroll in a NAAB-accredited architecture degree program
- A rising second-year student in a NAAB-accredited architecture degree program
Past Next Generation Undergraduate Scholars can be found in Our Scholars.
What to submit
- A professional resume
- Two letters of recommendation
- A portfolio of 3–5 creative works (they don’t have to be architecture)
- Three short answers, 300 words each:
- What influenced you to become an architect?
- Describe a time you positively influenced others, helped resolve a dispute, or contributed to a group effort over time.
- How do you see architecture’s potential to improve communities?
The undergraduate and graduate applications ask the same questions. In the application portal, choose the one that matches your student status for fall 2027. You may apply under one status only.
Key dates
- ApplicationsNovember 6, 2026 – January 15, 2027
- Jury reviewMarch – April 2027
- Selection meetingApril 2027
- Recipients notifiedApril 2027
- First disbursementAugust 2027
Made possible through generous support from Fireclay Tile, Jacobs, Material Bank, and Sherwin-Williams.
