All the architecture and design enthusiasts have a brilliant opportunity to get some funds and level up their careers. The SOM Foundation is proudly introducing its Robert L. Wesley Award. The award is open to BIPOC students enrolled in an accredited architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, or engineering undergraduate program in the United States. Students need to be enrolled in a four- or five-year undergraduate program.
The Robert L. Wesley Award is a new yearly award that supports BIPOC undergraduate students enrolled in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, or structural engineering programs across the US. The award is an unrestricted scholarship that aims to support the academic development of the awarded students. The award honors Robert L. Wesley, who joined SOM Chicago in 1964 and became the first Black partner at Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). Wesley has been involved in many civic and professional organizations, most notably serving as a founding board member of the Newhouse Architecture Foundation, which brings architecture and design programs to high schools.
Founded in 1979, the SOM Foundation’s goal is to advance the design profession’s ability to address the critical topics of our time by bringing together and supporting groups and individuals, each with the highest possible design aspirations. The Foundation’s grant programming was established in 1981 and currently offers five annual awards across the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. The grants support students and faculty of architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, and engineering to undertake rigorous interdisciplinary research that can help shape the future.
Brief Description
Here is the table for a quick view about the information of scholarship:
| Organization | SOM Foundation |
| Educational Level | Undergraduate students |
| Subjects | Architecture and design |
| Amount | $10000 |
| Access Mode | Online |
| Number of Awards | Undefined |
| City | Chicago |
| Nationality | Domestic and International |
| Country | United States |
| Application Deadline | November 9, 2020 |
| Application Fees | Nil |
| Requirement | Application, Video, |
Who May Be Eligible?
If you are interested in this program, then go through the eligibility requirements before beginning with the application process:
- The award is open to BIPOC students enrolled in an accredited architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, or engineering undergraduate program in the United States.
- Students need to be enrolled in a four- or five-year undergraduate program.
- Fellows can be enrolled in any year of their undergraduate program.
- A recipient of the Robert L. Wesley Award is not excluded from reapplying in subsequent years while enrolled in an undergraduate program.
How to Apply
Fellows are required to complete all the assignments or the requirements to be considered for the program. All the submission should be made before the deadline no late or incomplete applications will be considered for the scholarship. After the selection process candidates will be interviewed by the committee or the jury. Fellows should maintain the originality of the materials provided. Submit a link to digital submission to info@somfoundation.com.
Supporting Documents
- One- to a two-page personal statement describing the applicant’s path in their chosen program, ambitions, challenges, and why they should receive the Robert L. Wesley Award.
- Letter of support by one faculty member or department chair familiar with the applicant’s work.
- Digital portfolio or visual samples (less than 10 MB) is encouraged but not required.
- Two- to three-minute video statement in addition to the written statement is encouraged but not required.
Benefits
The Robert L. Wesley Award will provide three $10,000 unrestricted awards. In addition to the economic support, recipients of the award will be paired with one of the jurors who will act as their mentor for the year. The students will get tremendous support through this scholarship. The funds should be utilized to pay educational expenses like tuition, fees, and other related needs to the candidate’s education.
Application Deadline
Please submit your application or requirements before November 9, 2020. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
