Fellowships

AWAF is thrilled to announce our new rolling application process!

Click HERE to apply on our Kaleidoscope platform.

AWAF has earmarked $50,000 for this year's awards, including two (2) Mid-Career Fellowship Awards ranging up to $5,000.

We hope you will consider applying for this amazing professional development opportunity, or share this opportunity with women in the architecture or related design field who may benefit from independent research, study, writing or other self-guided projects. 

Fellowship Application is a year-round rolling application. The deadline will occur on March 1st, 2026.

Eligibility and submittal requirements can be found on our brochure, HERE.

MID-CAREER FELLOWSHIP

In 2014, AWAF won a prestigious Southern California Development Forum Charity Award that initiated our Professional Development Fellowship. Targeting professional women in architecture and allied arts, recipients were required to use the funds to produce a work of professional consequence in their field. We have continued with these guidelines after these funds were expired. Examples have included analytical or physical research, publications, lecture or presentation information related to their work, and organizing a public panel discussion of a current subject of public interest. Candidates may also suggest alternate deliverables. The result of the work must be completed within one year and presented as part of the AWA+D Annual Symposium.

Applicants must meet the following qualifications to be eligible (see application for details):

  • Must be a California resident

  • Must have been practicing in the field of architecture or the allied arts for a minimum of 5 years

Applications are available annually at the beginning of the year year-round and must be completed and received by the spring deadline to be considered for the annual award. Awards received after the deadline will be considered for the subsequent year’s award. For example: Applications submitted in 2026 would be considered for award in Spring 2027.

For questions, please contact Diana Perez (Awards Committee Co-Chair) at awards@awa-foundation.org

Sponsoring an AWAF Fellowship reflects a commitment to supporting and encouraging women students as they strive to achieve their educational goals and enter the design professions. For information on becoming a sponsor and gaining a unique opportunity to be involved, please contact our Foundation President or our Scholarship Chair.