2025 John J. Nelson Sr. Legacy Scholarship Fund
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13 days left
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.
Important Dates
| Submission Open | August 5, 2025 |
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| Submission Closed | October 3, 2025 |
Pricing
There is no fee to apply for the John J. Nelson Sr. Legacy Scholarship Fund.
Competition Guidelines
Submission Requirements
Applicants are asked to complete a video submission, and to submit a letter of recommendation and proof of enrollment.
Video Component
Please submit a 3-to-5-minute video that includes the following:
- Articulate how the power of design has already impacted your life
- Share your motivation for pursuing a career in interior design or architecture
- How you will proactively leverage your career in design to positively impact your future clients and community
View the 2024 John J. Nelson Sr. Legacy Scholarship recipient's videos here
Additional Materials
In addition to the video, please provide a letter of recommendation from your Program Chair, Dean, or Instructor (max 1 page). To validate your undergraduate status, please provide a copy of your current student ID, in JPEG or PDF format.
Required technical elements
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Your video may be styled in “essay” format—where you are responding to the prompt questions (listed above) directly to the camera.
- Needs to incorporate original drawings and sketches. If you have a portfolio, it is highly recommended to incorporate your project work.
Judging
The IIDA Foundation Board of Trustees will review the videos and select the scholarship recipients.
If any of the above documentation is not included, your application will not be reviewed. Any inclusions other than those requested will be removed from your application. If you have previously applied for this scholarship, you will need to create and submit a new video application. If you re-submit your video from a previous year, you will be disqualified.
For tips on sound quality, you can check out this link.
For Educators
We encourage you to let your eligible students know about the John J. Nelson Sr. Legacy Scholarship and that they should apply. You may download a printable one-sheet here.
Award
Up to two recipients will be eligible to receive 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, the Sunday prior to NeoCon. Winners will receive official digital assets, a mention on IIDA’s website, and recognition on IIDA social media channels.