In our mission to support informed, sustainable, and healthy initiatives in the design of built spaces, the ASID Foundation provides funding to individuals and groups.
Below is a list of grants, scholarships, and prizes. Some grants are not open every year and amounts may vary from year to year. If a grant, scholarship, or prize is open there will be a link and information about the application deadline. The link will take you to information about the requirements, dates, and jury process. If there is not a link next to a grant, scholarship, or prize, then it is not currently open for application.
You can also find links to past awardees and their projects to obtain a better understanding of the types of projects, qualifications of recipients, and level of outcomes and impact from those awardees.
ASID, its members, and donors are proud that since 2012, the ASID Foundation has awarded over $1,000,000 through our programs.
General schedule of when applications are being accepted.
Transform Research Grant – Bi-annual Awards up to $100,000
Provides funding to address critical gaps in industry knowledge, advancing design understanding, and transforming the practice of interior design.
Application period mid-April to mid-August 2025
Applied Research Grants – Multiple Awards at Various Amounts
Funds research projects that result in actionable design principles, guidelines, and/or tools that designers can apply in their design projects.
Application period mid-April to mid-August 2024
Irene Winifred Eno Grant - Award: $5,000
Provides financial assistance to individuals or groups developing an educational program or project dedicated to health, safety, and welfare.
Application period mid-April to mid-August 2024
Joel Polsky Prize - Award: $5,000
Recognizes outstanding academic contributions to interior design through print or digital communication. Types of entries include books, whitepapers, blogs, videos, and more.
Application period mid-February to mid-April 2025
Joel Polsky Academic Achievement Award - Award: $5,000
Recognizes an interior design research project or thesis project conducted by an undergraduate or graduate student related to wellness and design.
Application period mid-February to mid-April 2025
Legacy Scholarship for Undergraduates - Award: $4,000
Open to all students in their junior or senior year of undergraduate study enrolled in at least a three-year accredited program of interior design.
Application period mid-February to mid-April 2025
Legacy Scholarship for Graduate Students - Award: $4,000
Open to students who are enrolled in or accepted to a graduate-level interior design program at an accredited university.
Application period mid-February to mid-April 2025
David Barrett Memorial Scholarship - Award: $12,000
Open to students who are enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate-level interior design program at an accredited university.
Application period mid-February to mid-April 2025
Scholarships
The ASID Foundation manages the following scholarships which were established to continue knowledge contributions in specific areas of design and expand the research of ASID members.
David Barrett Memorial Scholarship
Award: $12,000
Next Application Period: mid-February to mid-April 2025
The David Barrett Memorial Scholarship is given biennially to recognize the work of an outstanding undergraduate or graduate student, enrolled in at least a three-year accredited program of interior design, who demonstrates a continuing interest and ability in utilizing classical designs (in alignment with Greek and Roman principles) and traditional materials, including furniture and fabrics.
Please be creative and innovative in how you translate this into your work. All project types will be accepted, including, but not limited to, workplace, civic, residential, hospitality, and historical restoration.
Legacy Scholarship for Undergraduate Students
Award: $4,000
Next Application Period: mid-February to mid-April 2025
The Legacy Scholarship for Undergraduate Students is given annually to recognize academic accomplishment and creative achievement. This grant is open to all students enrolled in at least a three-year accredited program of interior design, in their junior or senior year of undergraduate study. This grant is made possible by the generous support of the Dora Brahms Fund, Mabelle Wilhelmina Boldt Fund, Yale R. Burge Fund, Raymond Kennedy Fund, Ethel Siegelman Fund, and Alan Lucas Fund.
Application Requirements
- Design portfolio featuring 8-12 pages of work that demonstrate design solutions that positively impact occupant well-being.
- Portfolio statement (500 words maximum)
- Personal statement
- Transcript (an unofficial copy or alternate proof of enrollment will be accepted)
- Letter of Recommendation
- Biographical statement
- Headshot
Legacy Scholarship for Graduate Students
Award: $4,000
Next Application Period: mid-February to mid-April 2025
The Legacy Scholarship for Graduate Students is given annually to recognize the work of those students seeking to improve human outcomes and embracing and advancing the professional trend towards a more positive impact on user health and wellbeing. This grant is open to students who are enrolled in or have been accepted for admission to a graduate-level interior design program at an accredited university. This grant is made possible by the generous support of the Dora Brahms Fund, Mabelle Wilhelmina Boldt Fund, Yale R. Burge Fund, Raymond Kennedy Fund, Ethel Siegelman Fund, and Alan Lucas Fund.
Application Requirements
- Personal Essay (1000 words maximum) The ASID Foundation believes that interior design positively transforms environments in ways that improve human outcomes. As an interior designer, how will you embrace and advance the professional trend to positively impact health and well-being in your anticipated area of design practice?
- Transcript (an unofficial copy or alternate proof of enrollment will be accepted)
- Design Portfolio (10 pages maximum)
- Letter of Recommendation
- Biographical statement
- Headshot
Achievement Awards
Gary Wheeler Professional Achievement Award
The Gary Wheeler Professional Achievement Award is given annually to reimburse NCIDQ exam expenses. This grant is open to interior designer practitioners and educators who have recently passed all portions of the CIDQ exam. The generous support of members makes this award possible.
Joel Polsky Academic Achievement Award
Award: $5,000
Next Application Period: mid-February to mid-April 2025
Given annually, the Joel Polsky Academic Achievement Award recognizes an outstanding interior design research project or thesis project conducted by an undergraduate or graduate student related to wellness, educational research, behavioral science, business practice, design process, theory, or other technical subjects. This grant is made possible by the generous support of the Polsky Fund.
Application Requirements
- Abstract (250 words maximum)
- Thesis, dissertation, or research project
- Transcript (an unofficial copy or alternate proof of enrollment will be accepted)
- Biographical statement
- Headshot
Joel Polsky Prize
Award: $5,000
Next Application Period: mid-February to mid-April 2025
Given annually, the Joel Polsky Prize recognizes outstanding academic contributions to interior design through print or digital communication related to the needs of the public, designers, and students on topics such as – educational research, behavioral science, business practice, design process, theory, or other technical subjects. Types of entries can include - but are not limited to, books, whitepapers, blogs, and videos. This grant is made possible by the generous support of the Polsky Fund.
Application Requirements
- Description of the publication or visual communication (250 words maximum)
- Copy of publication or visual communication
- Biographical statement
- Headshot
Research Grants
The ASID Foundation seeks to support research that results in actionable design principles, guidelines, education, and/or tools that designers and students can apply in their design projects.
Irene Winifred Eno Grant
Award amount: $5,000
Next Application Period: Closes August 15, 2024
The Irene Winifred Eno Grant provides financial assistance to individuals or groups developing an educational program(s) or project that is dedicated to health, safety, and welfare. This grant is open to students, educators, interior design practitioners, institutions, and an interior design-related group, educational program(s), or project dedicated to health, safety, and welfare. Submissions will be evaluated based on the strength of the project proposal, budget, promotion plan, and expected outcome. This grant is made possible by the generous support of the Irene Winifred Eno Fund.
Refer to the RFP for additional details and submission requirements.
Applied Research Grant
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Award amount varies.
Next Application Period: Closes August 15, 2024
The Applied Research Grants support research projects that result in actionable design principles, guidelines, and/or tools that designers can apply in their projects. This grant is open to any student, educator, interior design practitioner, institution, or interior design-related group. It is made possible by the generous support of the ASID Foundation’s General Fund.
Refer to the RFP for additional details and submission requirements
Transform Grants
The Transform Research Grants are intended to provide funding to address critical gaps in industry knowledge, advance understanding, and transform the practice of interior design to improve the human experience. The generous contribution of the Donghia Foundation makes the Transform Research Grants possible.
Proposed research should be directly relevant, easily translatable, and of keen interest to both practicing designers and clients. Completed research projects are to be developed into an educational resource and shared with the design community.
The ASID Foundation Research Committee has prioritized three (3) topics of interest, which align with the objectives of the ASID Foundation, engage ASID members and the profession, and offer an opportunity for continued research on topics previously funded, yielding greater breadth, depth, and longevity of the work.
- Adaptive Environments Designed for Change and Resiliency
- Designing Humanizing Environments for Imperiled People
- Leveraging Technology for Positive Design Outcomes
Transform Grants | A – Seed/Start-Up Funds
Award amount varies: not to exceed $30,000
Next Application Period: mid-April to mid-August 2025
Transform Grant | B – Research Project
Award amount varies: not to exceed $70,000
Next Application Period: mid-February to mid-August 2025
VIEW PAST GRANT RECIPIENTS