Emerging Black Architects and Designers Scholarship 2026

ZGF proudly presents the 6th year of our Emerging Black Architects and Designers scholarship to support Black students currently enrolled in Architecture and Design programs in the U.S.

Two (2) students will be selected to each receive a $5,000 scholarship to go toward their final year of schooling, plus a paid internship at one of the following ZGF locations: Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; Los Angeles, CA; Washington, DC; New York, NY.

Summary

1. Application Deadline: January 16, 2026
2. Value: $5,000 tuition award + optional 10-week paid internship with ZGF Architects
3. Category: Undergraduate / Final-year students
4. Sponsor: ZGF Architects LLP in partnership with the Oregon Community Foundation
5. Course to Study: Architecture, Interior Design, Urban Planning & Design, Landscape Architecture
6. Eligible Country: United States

Eligibility Criteria for Emerging Black Architects and Designers Scholarship 2026

Students must submit an online application that includes a resume, an essay, one advanced level design project, and one letter of recommendation. Applicants must be currently enrolled and entering their final year of an accredited architecture (NAAB), interior design (CIDA), urban planning and design (PAB), or landscape architecture (LAAB) program in the United States and entering their final year in an accredited program in the fall of 2026. Valid graduation dates from your current program can include both winter (December) of 2026 or spring (April / May) of 2027.

Required documents

1. Resume

2. One Advanced Level Design Project

-One project limited to (5) pages maximum with a written description of the project (250 words).

-Individual work is highly preferred.

-Work done with a single partner may be submitted, and it must include a description of the applicant’s specific contribution and a letter of support from the applicant’s collaborative partner.

-Preferred layout is 11x17 landscape.

-Acceptable formats: Upload (1) file in a single PDF (max 9MB file size), or a link to online portfolio in format stated above.

3. One page essay

Please describe how you will impact your community through your unique lived experience and as a design professional (500 words maximum).

4. Letter of Recommendation

Written by a faculty member of your current institution with direct knowledge of your work, addressing your talent, and passion for the field of architecture and design.

5. Finalist Video Submission in Early to Mid-February

Finalists will be invited to submit a personal 3-minute video introducing themselves to the judges and presenting their project.

Internship

The winner of the scholarship is eligible for a paid internship for the duration of ten (10) weeks in one of the following ZGF locations: Seattle, WA; Portland, OR; Los Angeles, CA; Washington, DC; New York, NY. *

*The internship is optional and not a requirement of the scholarship. The internship is dependent on work authorization in the US. Individuals with work authorization in Canada may request an internship in our Vancouver, BC Office.

Benefits of Emerging Black Architects and Designers Scholarship 2026

$5,000 tuition award + optional 10-week paid internship

How to Apply

For more information, kindly visit ZGF scholarship webpage.

Application Deadline

January 16, 2026

Application Link(s)

• Apply for Emerging Black Architects and Designers Scholarship 2026