Environmental Design Scholarships

2019 Scholarships and awards

Environmental Design awards more than $50,000 in scholarships each year to incoming and continuing students. Opportunities and requirements are outlined below.

Incoming freshman and transfer students in the fall semester will be automatically considered for the following scholarships if they have declared an ENVD major and they submit the CU Boulder Scholarship Application between Nov. 1 to Mar. 15. Prospective students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for scholarships with a financial need component.   

ENVD Recruitment Scholarships
These scholarships are $1,000 ($500/semester) for one year. Scholarships are awarded based on financial need and academic merit.  

Environmental Design Diverse Scholars Scholarships
These scholarships are $2,000 per academic year ($1,000/semester) for four years. Scholarships are initially awarded based on financial need and academic merit. Awards are renewed annually based on member participation and academic performance.

Apply Now

Continuing students can apply for the ENVD scholarships listed below through Buff Portal Advising. Students must complete both the CU Boulder Application and the ENVD Scholarship Application between Nov. 1 to Mar. 15. Additionally, students are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for scholarships with a financial need component. 

ENVD students do not apply for each scholarship individually. Instead, they are auto matched to ENVD scholarships based on eligibility requirements. Some scholarships require financial need, some are based on academic merit alone, and others are a combination of need and merit. Additional scholarships support students who are from historically under-represented groups and first-generation students. Eligibility requirements for each scholarship can be viewed in Buff Portal.

Questions? For additional information regarding scholarship applications or processes, please contact Anna Parsons.

   anna.parsons@colorado.edu

ENVD Scholarships

  • Dana Giffin Soper Memorial Scholarship
  • D.J. Hynek Memorial Scholarship
  • Douglas Darden Memorial Scholarship 
  • Hideo Sasaki Scholarship in Interdisciplinary Design
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Housing Prize Scholarship
  • Viola and Charles Haertling Scholarship Fund in Environmental Design
  • AIA Colorado North Section Scholarship
  • Garry G. Landin AIA Scholarship
  • Oscar R. Sanchez AIAS Scholarship 

ENVD awards have different application requirements

ENVD Research Award
This $100 award is meant to financially assist with senior-level ENVD honors and capstone projects. To apply, send a one-page maximum description of the project and how you intend to use the funds to anna.parsons@colorado.edu between Nov. 1 and Jan. 20. Winners will receive funds in February. 

Statement: Please provide a research statement for the application to the ENVD Research Award. As part of this application, students are encouraged to include the following (at a minimum):

  • Student details (name, contact information, current studio)
  • Topic, background with supporting evidence and statistics.
  • One or two questions to be examined through the proposed research.
  • What do you want to accomplish with your project/research goals/objectives/intent? Be specific.
  • Mention any human or animal subject, including your plans to secure an IRB (Institutional Review Board) approval (if applicable).
  • Anticipated outcomes, product, or results
  • If awarded, how will you use the funds? Provide a brief itemized budget.
  • Optional: Working Bibliography. Not applicable to word count.

Eligibility

  • Student status: Award is open to senior level students in all disciplines. 

Submission Guidelines

Submission Process

  • Award can support research that doesn’t necessarily end with a physical product
  • Deadline: All submissions must be received by Jan. 20, 2025 

Judging Criteria

  • Clarity of research statement: Clear articulation of the research topic, well-defined background that provides context and significance, and logical flow and organization of ideas.
  • Research questions: Relevance and specificity of the proposed research questions. Questions should be significant within the field and demonstrate critical thinking.
  • Objectives and goals: Clearly defined project objectives and intended outcomes, specificity in what the applicant aims to accomplish and alignment of objectives with the research questions posed.
  • Methodology: Appropriateness and feasibility of the proposed research methods.
  • Anticipated outcomes: Clarity on the expected results and how they contribute to the field, discussion of potential impacts and benefits of the research.
  • Budget justification: Itemized budget that is realistic and justified and a clear explanation of how funds will be utilized to support the research.
  • Additionally: Judges may consider the overall originality and creativity of the research proposal. Emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches and innovation is encouraged.

Lynn M. Lickteig Photography Award
To apply for this $100 award, send one JPG file of an original photograph to anna.parsons@colorado.edu between Nov. 1 and Mar. 15. Winners will receive funds in May. 

Theme: Environmental Design

The theme of environmental design encompasses the integration of natural and built environments. This includes the aesthetic, functional, and sustainable aspects of design that contribute to the quality of human experience. Submissions may focus on elements such as architecture, landscape design, urban planning, and ecological design practices. Photographers are encouraged to capture how these environments interact with people and nature, highlighting innovative designs, sustainable practices, and the beauty of their surroundings.

Eligibility

  • Student status: Applicants must be actively enrolled as full-time ENVD students.

Submission Guidelines

  • Photography focus: Each submission must align with the focus of environmental design, showcasing everything between built environments and natural environments.
  • Number of submissions: Each student may submit ONE original photograph.
  • Format: Photos must be submitted in high-resolution digital format (JPEG) with a minimum of 300 DPI.
  • Original work: All submitted photographs must be the original work of the student and created within the previous academic year (2023-2024).

Technical Requirements

  • Image specifications: Each photograph must not exceed 10 MB in file size and should be no smaller than 2400 x 3600 pixels.
  • Editing: Minor post-processing is allowed (e.g., cropping, color correction), but excessive manipulation that alters the integrity of the image is not permitted.

Submission Process

  • Application form: Applicants must complete an application form that includes:
    • Personal details (name, contact information, etc.)
    • A brief designer concept statement (200 words maximum) explaining the work and its relation to the focus of environmental design.
  • Deadline: All submissions must be received by Mar. 15.

Judging Criteria

  • Creativity and originality: Photos will be evaluated on the uniqueness of the concept and execution, including innovative perspectives and ideas.
  • Technical skill: Judges will assess the technical quality of the photographs, including composition, lighting, and clarity.
  • Overall visual impact: The emotional and visual impact of the photograph will be considered, focusing on how it engages viewers.
  • Relevance to design: The extent to which the submission reflects the principles and aesthetics of Environmental Design.

Rights and Usage

  • Copyright: All submitted works remain the intellectual property of the student photographer. However, by entering the competition, applicants grant the ENVD committee permission to use their photographs for promotional purposes related to the award, including but not limited to social media, press releases, and exhibition materials.

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