NOTE: No extensions or late submissions will be accepted. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all required materials, including recommendation forms, are submitted by the application deadline. We strongly encourage requesting recommendation letters early to allow recommenders sufficient time to submit.
The Association for Women in Architecture Foundation, Inc. (AWAF) is a tax-exempt charitable 501(c)(3) organization based in Los Angeles, California, dedicated to fostering educational and professional leadership opportunities for women in architecture and related fields. Each year the AWAF celebrates some of the brightest emerging design talents by awarding scholarships to support these exceptional women in their continuing education. As AWAF begins our 29th year and AWA, our mother organization celebrates its Centennial, we are pleased to announce that with increased giving from our donors we have additional fellowship awards opportunities for 2027.
There will be up to two awards given. Winners also receive a one-year membership with our sister organization, AWA+D.
Awardees must agree to have their project information included on the AWAF website, and to present their process and work at the Annual AWAF Awards Event the following year. Additionally, awardees must be aware that the AWAF reserves the right to reproduce and disseminate fellowship content for the purposes of advertising its Mid-Career Fellowship program, including use on the website and social platforms. Winners grant AWAF permission to use their project materials and headshots for promotional purposes.
Fellowship award funds are not tax-exempt, and must be recorded and submitted through a Form-1099-MISC, provided by the AWAF in the tax year following the receipt of the funds.
Fellowship Award Winners will be recognized at a planned event in June of 2027.
To apply, please see below for eligibility and submittal requirements.
Please contact us with any questions or comments. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Diana Perez, Awards Committee Co-chair
Email: [email protected]
FELLOWSHIP ELIGIBILITY:
The AWAF offers a Mid-Career Fellowship to professional women who have been practicing in the field of architecture, landscape architecture, interior design, urban planning, or the allied arts for a MINIMUM OF 5 YEARS. Applicant must be a CALIFORNIA RESIDENT.
The Fellowship shall be used to fund work of professional consequence in the field such as: a research article for a professional journal, arranging a public lecture or presentation of information related to the work, or organizing a public panel discussion of a current subject of public interest. Research may be analytical or physical in nature, and applicants may suggest an alternate option.
Fellowship awardees shall complete the proposed project within one year, and shall prepare a culminating presentation in conjunction with the Annual AWAF Awards Event.
PRESENTATION OF AWARD:
Winners will be required to share their project and likeness on the AWAF website and invited to exhibit their work at the 2027 AWA+D Symposium and AWAF Awards event, typically held in late spring within the greater Los Angeles area. Award checks will be delivered through USPS mail.
NOTICE OF FELLOWSHIP COMMITMENT:
AWAF Fellowship recipients commit to completing their proposed project and delivering a final presentation within the established fellowship period of approximately one year.
Fellowship applications may be submitted individually or collaboratively by a group of two or three applicants. In the case of a group application, the fellowship constitutes one award to the group, and the group members are responsible for determining how the fellowship funds will be distributed among themselves. All members of the group will be held jointly responsible for fulfilling the project, reporting, mentorship, and final presentation requirements.
As part of the fellowship project development process, each recipient or recipient group will be paired with a mentor from the AWAF Board. Recipients and mentors will meet on a bimonthly basis to discuss project progress, provide feedback, and address any questions or challenges that arise throughout the development process. If circumstances arise that significantly affect the project’s timeline, scope, or feasibility, recipients are expected to promptly notify their AWAF Fellowship mentor to discuss potential modifications, adjustments, or extensions.
Failure to complete the approved project or fulfill required reporting and presentation requirements without prior approval may result in repayment of fellowship funds and may affect the recipient’s eligibility for future AWAF programs.
An awards jury, consisting of state-wide professionals, will review all applications through a combination of a point-scale system for completeness and merit-based quality of the proposal.
Application materials will be weighted into consideration during the review process as follows:
- AWAF Mid-Career Fellowship Application Form – 5%
- Fellowship Statement – 30%
- Resume – 5%
- Portfolio – 30%
- Project Budget – 20%
- Letters of Recommendation – 10%
Priority will be given to projects with a local or regional focus within the state of California (as defined by the applicant’s proposal).
The Awards Committee will review all applications for completeness first and then for quality of work. Incomplete applications cannot be considered and will not be evaluated.
The mission of AWAF, like that of AWA+D, is to advance and support women in the allied fields of architecture and design. Established in 1997 as the primary fundraising vehicle for the AWA+D, the Foundation raises funds to promote high levels of achievement by awarding scholarships and a mid-career fellowship.
$347,500+ has been distributed since 1997.