Awards: Winners will be announced Spring 2026, and will be featured on IIDA.org, in the Spring 2026 issue of QUAD, and in DesignMatters newsletters. OFS provides the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place winners with a financial prize of $2,500, $1,500, and $750, respectively

Prompt: “Develop and submit a design concept for a new primary care clinic located in a U.S. rural community of Northwest Montana. The clinic is facing significant challenges such as limited healthcare access, provider shortages, and clinic closures. Students will put their knowledge to the test to create environments within public, patient, and caregiver spaces.”

Deadline: Feb. 6, 2026 11:59pm CST

More Info: IIDA Student Design Competition Brief

Awards: up to $10,000 each in scholarship funds and round-trip airfare and hotel stay in Chicago where they will be recognized in-person at the IIDA Annual Meeting,

Eligibility: This scholarship award is open to undergraduate students of African American descent who are currently enrolled in a U.S. not-for-profit CIDA- or NASAD-accredited interior design or NAAB-accredited architecture program. IIDA membership is not required to apply.

Applications Deadline: October 3, 2025

More Info: IIDA John J. Nelson Sr. Legacy Scholarship Fund

Award: $5,000 scholarship

Eligibility: This scholarship award is open to minority graduate and undergraduate students who are currently enrolled in an interior design or architecture programs worldwide

Applications Open: October 2025

More Info: IIDA Interior Architects Diversity in Design Scholarship

Awards: $7,500 cash prize, An invitation to attend the 2025 PAVE Gala in New York City on December 11th to network with Industry Professionals and be honored for this award. Travel, hotel, and per diem will be covered

Eligibility: Student must be currently enrolled in a 2 to 4-year undergraduate or graduate program working toward a degree in design, architecture, or visual merchandising with an interest in pursuing a career creating and designing consumer environments.​

Applications Deadline: October 24, 2025 11:59 EST

More Info: PAVE Inspired by Design Student Visionary Award

Award: $2,500 Scholarship, 20 hours of virtual mentoring with Knovo Design Professionals, Expenses will be covered (airfare, hotel, event tickets, and per diem) for the recipient to attend the 2025 PAVE Gala on December 11th in New York City to network and make new connections

Eligibility: Student must be a 2nd, 3rd or 4th-year undergraduate or graduate student (any year) working towards a degree in interior design, architecture or a related field, with an interest in pursuing a career in retail environments. Student must be a current full-time student, enrolled in at least 12 credit hours, or equivalent per their program requirements (i.e. internships, studio, etc.)

Applications Deadline: October 17, 2025 11:59 EST

More Info: PAVE Knovo Technology in Design Innovation Scholarship

Spotlight of your work of PAVE social platforms!

"In the spirit of PAVE's mission to connect students to the wonderful world of Design, in 2020 we launched the PAVE Student Spotlight series. Shared across our social media platforms, these spotlights are meant to showcase the talent and hard work of up-and-coming Student Designers and Recent Graduates to our community of Design luminaries."

Deadline: Ongoing

PAVE Global | Student Spotlight

Awards: Winners will receive $1,000 each, and runners-up will receive $500 each. All four winning designs will be available for purchase as both T-shirts and tote bags ahead of the end-of-the-year PAVE Gala

Competition Overview: “The theme for 2025 is ‘BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE.’ We challenge you to graphically explore PAVE Global's vital role as the connector between design education and students' future careers in design. Think about how PAVE serves as the bridge that links students, educators, and industry professionals, creating pathways that transform educational experiences into successful design careers. We want to know how you visualize PAVE's role in connecting the design community and building bridges to bright futures”

Applications Deadline: October 1, 2025 11:59 EST

More Info: The 2025 PAVE Gala T-Shirt Student Design Challenge

Awards: $4,000 USD will be awarded to each of the 3 top concepts. Students will receive an invitation to attend the PAVE Gala in New York City on December 11th (travel expenses covered*) where the students will be recognized for their achievements

Competition Overview: The Hershey Company invites students to create an innovative Store within a Store (SWAS) snacking destination within a traditional grocery store. Design a fun, interactive experience that leverages cutting-edge technology, lighting, and sensory elements to break through the clutter and elevate the shopping experience

Applications Deadline: October 30, 2025 11:59 EST

More Info: The 2025 PAVE International Student Design Competition

Awards: $5,000 scholarship, 40 hours of in-person mentoring at the ChangeUp Miamisburg, OH office, and an invitation to attend the 2025 PAVE Gala this December in New York City as a guest of ChangeUp

Eligibility: Student must be currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's/Graduate program working toward a degree in Graphic Design, Communication Design, Interior Design, Environmental Design, Industrial Design, or Architecture, with an interest in pursuing a career in retail environments (including restaurants).

Applications Deadline: October 3, 2025 11:59 EST

More Info: The 2025 PAVE Change Up Scholarship + Experience

Award: $5,000 & a Trophy

Prompt: The property management at a major US airport has hired you to design a luminaire for the boarding gate lounge located along a terminal concourse…Document the fixture as instructed under the Competition Rules.

Applications Deadline: March 26, 2026 6pm EST

More Info: The Robert Bruce Thompson Annual Student Light Fixture Design Competition

Award: $7,500

“NEWH Green Voice Design Competition provides students with the opportunity to showcase their design skills while utilizing the very best in sustainable design products and practices. ”

Applications Due: January 12, 2026 11:59 pm EST

More Info: Competition Criteria

Award: $7,500

“Open to interior design, hospitality management, and culinary students with a career focus in hospitality”

Applications Due: Sept. 26, 2025

NEWH, Inc. Scholarship Application