In recognition of Paul Welch Jr.’s distinguished and lengthy career of service to architects and the architectural profession, this scholarship program was created to celebrate Paul’s experiences with the California Architects Board (CAB), as well as, with AIA California and his unwavering belief in the power of the architectural license. The scholarship recognizes the significant contributions of California interns at early stages in their careers and encourages them to complete the licensure process by covering all associated costs.  

DEADLINES
 Applications are due by February 1, 2024 by 11:59pm Pacific Time
 

ELIGIBILITY 

• California resident
• AIAS or Associate AIA Member in good standing
• NCARB and CAB record holder in good standing or IPAL student
• AEP Council of Advisors are eligible 
• Applicants may have passed one or more divisions of the ARE, but cannot have passed all divisions

*Applicants will be asked to include a copy of their NCARB Authorization to Test or a letter verifying their IPAL status to show proof of scholarship eligibility.

Please review the full submission guidelines to assist you with putting together the application package. Have questions? Visit our website to learn more. 

 

Established in 2017 by Chet Widom, FAIA and wife Diana Widom, the Chester and Diana Widom Architectural Education Scholarship, in honor of Paul W. Welch, provides scholarship opportunities to community college students from California to pursue their architectural education.

 DEADLINE

 Applications are due by February 1, 2024, 11:59pm Pacific Time

 ELIGIBILITY 

• California Resident
• Community student accepted to an accredited school of architecture - confirmation of acceptance does not need to be included at the time of submission, but will need to be submitted before the scholarship funds are sent.

 Please review the full submission guidelines to assist you with putting together the application package. Have questions? Visit our website to learn more. 

The California Awards recognize and celebrate those individuals and groups who make a difference and have a lasting impact on the profession.

DEADLINES:
Call for Nominations Opens: September 1, 2023
Nomination Package Deadline: December 15, 2023
Award selections* will be confirmed at the Board of Directors Meeting: March 15, 2024
    *Firm Award finalists will have the opportunity to present to the Board of Directors prior to final award selection.
FEES:
There is a non-refundable $395 nomination fee for the Firm Award. This fee must be paid online at the time of submission. There are NO FEES for any other award. Late, disqualified, or incomplete packages will not be refunded and credits for next year will not granted.

FULL GUIDELINES

Read full guidelines with eligibility for each category below here. 

CATEGORIES:
Firm Award
Distinguished Practice
Lifetime Achievement
Norma Sklarek Humanitarian Award
Lifetime Achievement in Healthcare Facility Design
Honorary Membership

Firm Award
The Firm Award is the highest honor the AIA CA can bestow on an architectural firm. It is intended for firms that have consistently produced distinguished architecture for a period of at least 10 years. Equally important, the award recognizes mentoring, continued collaboration among individuals and significant contributions made by the firm to the profession in areas of design, research, planning, technology, practice and innovation.

Distinguished Practice Award
The Distinguished Practice Award recognizes significant contributions and accomplishments toward a specific building type or practice area and a career of dedicated commitment to the built environment. This award recognizes an individual architect’s work, their responses to the challenges of an individual building type, innovations within the design and construction process, design excellence, and a collaborate spirit.  
The recipient of this award shall demonstrate a career of dedicated commitment to the built environment and innovation in one or more of the following roles:

Lifetime Achievement Award
The Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to an individual (or group) in recognition of an outstanding contribution to the improvement of the built environment and to the profession of architecture in California.

Norma Sklarek Humanitarian Award
The Norma Sklarek Humanitarian Award recognizes an architect or architecturally oriented organization for their social responsibility. The type of social issues is purposefully flexible to remain constantly relevant.

Lifetime Achievement Award for Healthcare Facility Design
This award is given in recognition of a career of dedicated commitment to the build environment and in recognition of significant contributions and accomplishments toward the design and development of healthcare facilities in California.
Honorary Membership
Bestowed on a person who is not eligible for membership in AIA California, but who has rendered distinguished service to the profession of architecture or to the arts and sciences allied therewith. 

NOMINATION PACKAGE GUIDELINES
Each completed nomination package must follow these guidelines:

• 8 ½ x 11 paper size
• Not to exceed 8MB and/or 12 pages 
• Font 12 point or larger
• Portrait layout
• Page 1: Nomination Letter
• Page 2: Statement of Contributions
• Page 3: Biography of firm or resume (if an individual)
• Pages 4 – 5: Two letters of recommendation that are explicit in their recommendation 
• Pages 6 – 12: Supporting materials and documentation which can include a portfolio, articles, or photographs that support the nomination. Supporting materials are unique to the award category and should be thoroughly reviewed.

FULL GUIDELINES

Read full guidelines with eligibility for each category below here. 

Please visit our website if you would like to learn more about each of these awards.

AIA California's Academy for Emerging Professionals Awards Program strives to advance local and regional excellence which recognizes and celebrates those who contribute to assisting Emerging Professionals and their colleagues in pursing their personal and professional goals.

DEADLINES:
Call for Submissions Opens: September 1, 2023
Submittal Deadline Extended: December 15, 2023

AWARD CATEGORIES:

• Firm Mentorship Award
• Chapter Award
• Associates Award
• Student Leader Award
• Educator Award
• Young Architects Award

ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS

• Exhibits exceptional skill and leadership
• Cannot be a recipient of an Academy for Emerging Professionals Award within the last five years
• Student Leader Award: Student members of AIAS or AIA who are currently enrolled in an architectural program in California
• Educator Award: AIA members who are educators at a post-secondary Architectural Program in California
• Firm Mentorship Award: AIA member led firms located in California that actively support interns in the pursuit of licensure and provide professional opportunities for emerging professionals
• Chapter Award: Local AIA chapters in California that have developed creative programs for its Emerging Professionals to enhance active and consistent chapter participation at local, state and national levels

SUBMISSION PACKAGE GUIDELINES
Each completed nomination package must follow these guidelines:

• Submitted in a single PDF format
• 8 ½ x 11 paper size; landscape layout
• Not to exceed 8MB and/or 12 pages
• Font 12 point or larger
• Page 1: Statement of Contributions
• Page 2-3: Biography and/or Resume
• Page 4-5: Two letters of support that are explicit in their recommendation
• Pages 6-12: Supporting materials and documentation which can include* summaries of mentorship materials, program involvement, additional letters of support, materials that exhibit character of the nominee or chapter, copies of marketing materials or newspaper clippings.
• *Educator Award: also include titles of courses taught and/or programs administered with brief descriptions of each.
  

Please visit our website if you would like to learn more about each of these awards.