Gensler Opportunity Scholarship

Name: Gensler Opportunity Scholarship + Design Challenge

Award Amount: Five $10,000 tuition scholarships and ten micro-scholarships ($1,000–$2,500) per cycle

Information And Eligibility:
The Gensler Opportunity Scholarship + Design Challenge is a national design-oriented scholarship competition hosted by Gensler, one of the world’s largest architecture, design, and planning firms. This program exists to remove financial barriers for emerging design professionals and to promote creative talent within the built environment disciplines. By pairing scholarship awards with a structured design challenge, Gensler provides students with a unique platform to demonstrate both conceptual thinking and professional readiness while supporting them financially as they transition into careers in architecture and design.

At its core, the Opportunity Scholarship + Design Challenge blends traditional academic scholarship with a hands-on design brief that reflects real-world industry priorities. Applicants are tasked with responding to a specified design prompt with sketches, narrative explanation, and a portfolio-style project entry that highlights their ability to navigate complex conceptual problems. In addition to the flagship tuition scholarships — awarded to students entering their final year of an accredited architecture program — the competition includes micro-scholarships that help support books, materials, and other educational costs. This multi-tiered structure encourages broad participation and rewards both strong portfolios and compelling personal narratives.

Recipients not only gain financial support but also benefit from industry recognition and visibility. Winners are frequently highlighted by Gensler and can connect with practitioners, mentors, and potential employers through the firm’s professional network, enhancing their prospects in the competitive architecture and design fields. The Opportunity Scholarship reflects Gensler’s broader commitment to expanding access to design education and supporting students whose backgrounds, experiences, and aspirations will help strengthen the future of the profession.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicant must be enrolled at a U.S. not-for-profit educational institution.
• Applicant must be in a NAAB-accredited architecture program and planning to begin the final year* of that program in the upcoming Fall term.
• Micro-scholarship eligibility mirrors the main tuition scholarship criteria.
• Design submission must be original, student-produced work that adheres to the competition’s format and rules.
• Applicants must provide required documentation such as resume and recommendation materials.

Application Requirements:

• Completed online application submitted through Gensler’s portal by the deadline.
• Resume outlining academic history and design experience.
• A letter of recommendation from a dean, chair, or faculty member verifying eligibility and academic promise.
• Personal impact statement that addresses the applicant’s background, challenges overcome, leadership attributes, and design aspirations.
• Design challenge submission, including sketches and explanation responding to the current year’s prompt.
• Optional follow-up video or presentation for finalists if requested by the scholarship jury.

Deadline: March 15

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