Grants, Awards and Prizes
The Department of Architecture sponsors a number of special awards and travel fellowships throughout the year. These include, but are not limited to, travel opportunities to support thesis or dissertation research, participation in a conference (for PhD students only), and six-month internship opportunities to work abroad in an architectural firm. Awards and prizes are given at the end of each academic year in recognition of outstanding scholarship and promise. Most include a financial award.
Other MIT opportunities may be found on the Office of the Dean of Graduate Education (ODGE) website, under Financial Aid:
http://odge.mit.edu
Marvin E. Goody Award
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Terms
The Marvin E. Goody Award ($5,000.00) is given each term to a student in any department at MIT who will be expected to complete his or her SM Thesis or equivalent (i.e., MArch, SMArchS, SMBT, MCP, SM, MEng) at the end of the following term. The competition is held in December (for completion in May) and in May (for completion in February) of each year. Selection will be on the basis of the promise and subject of the thesis proposal as it relates to the aims of the Goody Award.
The aims of the award, which was established in 1983, are to extend the horizons of existing building techniques and use of materials, to encourage links between the academic world and the building industry, and to increase appreciation of the bond between good design and good building – criteria that are intended to reflect the range of Marvin Goody's interests as a teacher, researcher, and designer. To be appropriate for the Goody Award a thesis proposal must address one or more of the stated aims.
The criteria the committee will use in judging applications are:
- the promise of the thesis, in the form of evidence that the work it contains is likely to satisfy the intentions of the prize, and
- the student's record, as evidenced by letters of support and the student's statement. In the last regard, the Committee will look for evidence that the promise of the thesis will be realized.
Eligibility
Students who will complete Master's thesis in the semester immediately following application.
Process
The award is administered by a committee consisting of:
- Christoph Reinhart, Professor of Building Technology, Department of Architecture
- Brandon Clifford, Assistant Professor of Architecture, Department of Architecture
- Herbert H. Einstein, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Admir Masic, Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Applications consist of two parts:
Part I: One PDF with the required documents in the following order:
- Completed application form.
- A brief resumé of the applicant.
- A two-page summary of the applicant's thesis proposal.
- A statement by the student describing the relationship of his or her proposed thesis to the aims of the Goody Award.
- A budget indicating proposed use of funds. Be specific about how the award money would facilitate the realization of the thesis.
Please label the PDF: 19FA_GOODY_LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME
Submission: Send the PDF except letters of support to stewart@mit.edu via Dropbox or WeTransfer.
Part II:
- Confidential letters of support from the thesis advisor and at least one other faculty member. These letters should make clear the specific qualities of the proposal in relation to the objectives of the Goody Award and should be submitted by the recommender to Cynthia Stewart by email (stewart@mit.edu) or mail to Building 7-337.
Applicants are strongly urged to seek the advice of faculty in the formulation of their statements and applications.
- Schedule
Fall Term 2018
- Deadline for proposals: November 19, 2018
- Announcement of winners: On or before December 21, 2018
Spring Term 2018
- Deadline for proposals: April 17, 2019, by 5 pm in Room 7-337
- Announcement of winners: On or before May 24, 2019
Recent Winners
Spring 2008: Edmund Ming-Yip Kwong, Architecture
Fall 2008: James Vanzo, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Yaniv Junno Ophir, Architecture
Spring 2009: No award given
Fall 2009: Lara Davis, Architecture, and Rory Clune, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Spring 2010: No award given
Fall 2010: Maggie Nelson, Architecture, and Robert Marne Zahner, Civil and Environmental Engineering
Spring 2011: No award given
Fall 2011: Timothy G. Cooke, Architecture
Spring 2012: No award given
Fall 2012: Moa Carlsson, Architecture
Spring 2013: Andrew Manto and Edrie Ortega, Architecture
Fall 2013: David Costanza and James Coleman, Architecture
Spring 2014: Tyler Crain, Architecture
Fall 2014: Juney Lee, Civil and Environmental Engineering, and Carrie McKnelly, Architecture
Spring 2015: Sixto Cordero, Architecture
Fall 2015: No award given
Spring 2016: Zhao Ma, dual degrees with Architecture and Civil and Environmental Engineering
Fall 2016: Liz McCormick, Architecture, and Zoe Temco, MEng
Spring 2017: No award given
Fall 2018: Zach Cohen, Architecture
Spring 2018: No award given
Fall 2018: Gideon Schwartzmann, SMArchS Architectural Design degree candidate, June 2019
File Info
Abstract:
File size: 137.2 KB
Goody Prize Application Form (form-marvin-e-goody.pdf)
File size: 137.2 KB
Goody Prize Application Form (form-marvin-e-goody.pdf) Julian Beinart Research Award
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Terms
The Julian Beinart Research Award ($1,400) is given to a graduate student in the School of Architecture and Planning at MIT to support research covering a broad field of investigation into city design or theoretical propositions about the form of cities, in the field of architecture and urbanism. The award may be used for travel, materials and other associated costs. It is not intended for post-graduate research.
Eligibility
Graduate students in SA+P whose research relates to the objectives of the Beinart Award, and who will graduate after June 2019.
Process
The award is administered by a committee consisting of:
Rafi Segal, Associate Professor of Architecture and Urbanism, Department of Architecture
Alan Berger, Professor of Urban Design and Landscape Architecture, Department of Urban Studies and Planning
Applications consist of one PDF with the required documents in the following order:
- statement of the research topic, including applicant's name, degree program
- description of how the grant would be used to contribute to the applicant's research
- curriculum vitae
- budget
Please label the PDF: 19SP_BEINART_LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME
Submission: Send the PDF to stewart@mit.edu via Dropbox or WeTransfer. Applicants are strongly urged to seek the advice of faculty in the formulation of their statements and applications.
Schedule
Spring Term 2018
- Announcement/call for proposals: March
- Deadline for proposals: April 19, by 5 pm in Room 7-337
- Announcement of winners: May 15, 2019
Past Recipients:
2015: Caroline Murphy, SMArchS HTC
2016: Joohui Son, M.Arch
2017: Tiffany Ferguson, MCP
2018: Alina Nazmeeva, SMArchS AU
Ennis Research Award for African-American Women
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Terms
The family of Rosalia Elisa Ennis, (MArch '76) has established a research award in her memory in the MIT Department of Architecture. The annual award of $1000 will be given to an African-American woman student in any Department program (including undergraduate) for research and research-related travel in the field of architecture. It is hoped that the final product of the research will be of publishable quality. Projects need not only be written. The award might, for example, support the preparation of a final competition submission, travel in support of archival research, or visual documentation of a building, set of buildings or place.
Eligibility
African-American women in any architecture department program.
Process
The applications of one PDF with the required documents in the following order:
- A statement of the research topic, maximum 5 pages, including applicant's name and degree program
- A description of how the grant would be used to contribute to the applicant's research, including a brief resume of the applicant
- A budget, up to a maximum of $1,000
Please label the PDF: 19FA_ENNIS_LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME
Submission: Send the PDF to stewart@mit.edu via Dropbox or WeTransfer.
Schedule
Deadline for digital proposals: November 14, 2018 by 5 p.m.
Announcement of winner: December 7, 2018.
Past Recipients
2002: Britta Butler
2011: Felecia Davis
2012: Vernelle Noel
File Info
Abstract:
File size: 146.74 KB
Ennis Application (form-ennis-research.pdf)
File size: 146.74 KB
Ennis Application (form-ennis-research.pdf) Schlossman Research Award
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Terms
One or two grants (up to a maximum of $4000 awarded in total) will be awarded to a Master or PhD (resident only) student(s) in the Department of Architecture for use anytime through the summer of 2018. The grant may be used for purposes that contribute to the research of the applicant, including travel, but may not be used for travel to conferences or conference fees nor as a summer stipend. It is not intended for post-graduate research. Past grants have supported archival research, project documentation and first-hand study of architectural history and design. To reflect emerging opportunities in architecture, students whose research engages computation and design are especially encouraged to apply.
Successful applicant(s) will be designated Schlossman Research Fellow(s). Winner(s) will be expected to submit a brief report in the following academic year on the work accomplished with the assistance of the grant. This report will be transmitted to the sponsor. Winner(s) will be expected to make a public presentation in the department as well.
Eligibility
Master or PhD (resident only) students in the Department of Architecture, expecting to complete degrees in February or June 2019.
Process
The application consists of one PDF with the required documents in the following order:
- statement of the research topic, including applicant's name and degree
- description of how the grant would be used to contribute to the applicant's research
- curriculum vitae
- budget
Please label the PDF: 19SP_ SCHLOSSMAN_LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME
Submission: Send the PDF to stewart@mit.edu via Dropbox or WeTransfer. Applicants are strongly urged to seek the advice of faculty in the formulation of proposals.
Schedule
Deadline for application: April 19, 2019 by 5 p.m. in Room 7-337.
Announcement of winners: May, 2019
Recent Fellows
2007: Sarah Dunbar, James Graham, Maria Fabiola Lopez-Duran
2008: Caitlin Berrigan, Kenfield Griffith, Stephanie Tuerk
2009: Charles Curran, Laura Rushfeldt
2010: Laura A. Delaney, Christian A. Hedrick, Ogheneruno Elo Okiomah, Buck Sleeper
2011: Ana Maria Leon Crespo, Ella Peinovich, Todd Jerome Satter, Andrew G. P. Ferentinos
2012: Giacomo Gastagnola Chaparro, Nicholas Vicario
2013: Felecia Davis, Breanna Rossman
2014: Ann Lok Lui, Carrie McKnelly, Deepa Ramaswamy
2015: Caroline Murphy, Kelly Presutti, Anatasia Hiller
2016: Grigori Enikolopov, Hunmin Koh, Rixt Woudstra
2017: Jackson Davidow, Jonah Ross-Marrs, Danniely Staback
2018: Natalie Bellefleur, Sridipta Ghatak
Louis C. Rosenberg (1913) Travel Fellowship
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Terms
Bequest of Louis C. Rosenberg (1913) established a travel fellowship award for senior American architectural students for study travel in Western Europe. Students must be United States Citizens.
Eligibility
MArch (Year 3) or SMArchS (Year 1) degree candidates of United States citizenship currently enrolled. Travel to Western Europe may occur during summer 2019. Process: A committee of Architecture faculty members appointed by the Department Head of Architecture administers the award. Selection will be on the basis of the anticipated educational value to the recipient. Both the absolute value of the proposal in architectural terms and its relation to the individual student's needs and goals are key considerations.
Process
The application consists of one PDF with the required documents in the following order:
- A statement of the research topic and travel plan, maximum 5 pages, including a description of how the grant would be used to contribute to the applicant's educational goals. Include the applicant's name and degree program at the top of the research statement.
- A brief resume of the applicant
- A budget, up to a maximum of $1,500.
Please label PDF: 19SP_ROSENBERG_LASTNAME_FIRSTNAME
Submission: Send the PDF to stewart@mit.edu via Dropbox and WeTransfer (max 5mb).
Schedule
Announcement/call for proposals: February
Deadline for proposals: April 19, 2019
Announcement of winners: May 2019
Recent Winners
2012: Nancy Kim, Mariel Villere
2013: John Maher, Kyle Barker
2014: David Costanza
2015: Julia Litman-Cleper, Ryan McLaughlin, Elizabeth Yarina
2016: Kristina Eldrenkamp, Nicolas Pacula
2017: Shane Reiner-Roth, Emily Watlington
2018: Malcolm Rio, Gideon Schwartzman
Architecture Summer Session, Fontainebleau Schools in France
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Terms
The MIT Department of Architecture will provide scholarships for one graduate and/or undergraduate students to attend the Architecture Summer Session at the Chateau Fontainebleau in France. The scholarship is made possible by the support of A. Anthony Tappe MArch and MCP '58, an alumnus of Fontainebleau.
The unique program runs from July 4 to early August 10/2018. Workshops, lectures, visits and studios will be in and around the Chateau Fontainebleau. The program for architects begins in Paris with seminars and visits over five days, which will prepare the students for the following weeks in Fontainebleau. During these 4 weeks, workshops, lectures, visits and studios will be in and around the Chateau Fontainebleau. A 4-day trip in Burgundy will acquaint students with some of the finest masterpieces of French art and architecture, both historic and contemporary. Combining a music conservatory with an architecture studio in an historic setting, the Fontainebleau Schools is a unique institution for summer study.
Go to the Fontainebleau Schools website for all the details: http://www.fontainebleauschools.org or watch their promotional trailer, here: https://vimeo.com/143983280.
Eligibility
Architecture graduate and undergraduate students
Process
Applicants must submit:
- The online application
- A 2 X 2 inch ID photo: head must face the camera directly with full face in view (required)
- Portfolio that includes at least three hand drawings and one comprehensive architecture project (PDFs should be in A4 landscape format).
- CV/Resume with contact information
- Official transcript of academic record from MIT
- One letter of recommendation from a faculty member
- One passport-style photo
- $75 application fee
One student will receive the MIT scholarship. All other applications will be forwarded to Fontainebleau Schools for consideration for additional Fontainebleau scholarship aid.
Schedule
Announcement/call for applications: February 2018.
Deadline for application for MIT scholarship: March 12, 2018, 5:00 p.m.
Announcement of MIT scholarship recipient:
Deadline for application to Fontainebleau: April 1, 2018
Recent Winners
2006: David Foxe, BSAD and MArch '06
2007: Rebecca Rahmlow, SMArchS '08
2008: Ji-Hye Ham, BSAD '08
2009: Esther Chung, BSAD '09
2010: Amanda Levesque, BSAD '10
2011: Joan Chen, BSAD '12
2012: Breanna Rossman, MArch '14
2013: Patrick Little, MArch '16
2014: Xinyi Ma, MArch '17
2015: So Yeon Lim, MArch '18
2016: Danielly Staback, MArch '18, and Maria Roldan, BSA '17
2017: Stella Zhujing Zhang, M.Arch '20
2018: Jiye Ha, M.Arch '21
Avalon Conference Travel
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Terms
Support is intended for travel expenses (air, train, taxi, etc.), plus accommodations, and a registration fee, if applicable, up to the maximum $600 guideline. All other expenses are considered personal and not reimbursable.
Eligibility
Graduates candidates are eligible to apply for partial travel support to one conference per academic year, up to a maximum of $600. Department of Architecture graduate degree candidates must be in residence status and must take an active part in the scholarly meeting (such as presenting a paper or chairing a panel).
Process
Applications must be submitted to Andreea O'Connell, a minimum of one month prior to departure. A simple e-mail request with the specific name of the conference, location, dates, estimated cost, and explanation of the level of participation will suffice.
If approved, reimbursement of costs will be provided after the completion of the trip. Students should submit receipts, and a conference program or invitation letter which shows the level of participation, to Douglas Le Vie in Room 7-337. Funding is limited so students are encouraged to apply as early as feasible.
For an additional source of conference-related travel funding, go to the Graduate Student Council Travel Grant.
Quarra Matter Fellowship
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Terms
Quarra Stone and Matter Design offer an annual Quarra Matter Fellowship. This prestigious fellowship is a research position as part of an ongoing industry/academy collaborative research project between Quarra Stone and Matter Design.
Two research fellows will work daily at Quarra Stone’s location in Madison, Wisconsin, from June 1 through August 31. During the course of this fellowship, the researchers will work directly with the Quarra Stone team to develop and implement advanced fabrication processes. This research will culminate in a series of large-scale constructed artifacts carved and assembled of stone. Fellows will work with and alongside the professional stone fabricators at Quarra Stone and are expected to report and communicate the research with their respective research coordinators—Brandon Clifford at MIT and Wes McGee at the University of Michigan.
The intention of this research is to build processes that improve accuracy and reduce the gap between drawing and making. Quarra Stone has vast resources dedicated to complex carving of stone, and Matter Design has an interest in engaging this resource and shoring it with computational intelligence. Both parties share an interest in this symbiotic relationship and the fellows will serve to implement, document, and aid in the publication of this research. Throughout the process, fellows will be exposed to master stone-cutters and learn about the process of cutting stone while simultaneously translating that knowledge into digital craft, thus sharing this knowledge with Quarra Stone. While the research is serious, the people at Quarra Stone are incredible hosts and fun to be with.
Eligibility
Current students and recent graduates of MIT and the University of Michigan are eligible for this fellowship, as well as previous Quarra Stone interns. Applicants at any level will be considered.
Honorarium Details
Each fellow will receive a stipend of $10,000. Throughout the 10-week period, 80% of the stipend will be distributed via payroll with the final 20% delivered upon submission of the research documentation. This stipend does not include travel or lodging.
Process
Candidates must submit application material via email as one PDF attachment including the following:
- 100-word biography explaining which program in the applicant is enrolled in and at what stage, as well as any notes about prior fabrication, computation, and research experience
- 250-word statement of interest. Because the nature of this fellowship is collaborative, both between the fellows as well as the industry/academic relationship, state your research interest to assist with gauging your direction and possible pairings of fellows. The statements are not considered as designing proposals, but rather insights into research interests.
- Curriculum Vitae or Resume
- 3 images (only) expressing the applicant’s ability to work with computation and fabrication
- 3 reference contacts (not letters)
Schedule
The application deadline is usually in early February, and the 2019 deadline has not been announced. MIT applications are emailed to bclifford@mit.edu (Brandon Clifford/Matter Design).
Past MIT Quarra Matter Fellows
2015: Luisel Zayas-San Miguel, M.Arch
2016: Ines Ariza, SMArchS Computation
2017: Zain Karsan, M.Arch
2018: David Constanza, M.Arch + SMArchS BT
The Kohn Pederson Fox Travelling Fellowship
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Terms
Each year, Kohn Pederson Fox presents three $10,000 awards to students who are in their penultimate year at one of twenty-six design schools. The goal of the award is to allow students to broaden their education through a summer of travel before their final year at school. Further questions and inquiries can be directed to Susan Green, KPF, (212) 977-6500 or sgreen@kpf.com
Eligibility
Enrollment as an MIT MArch student in penultimate year (graduations in February or June 2019). The student completes the application, and it must be approved by Professor Andrew Scott, Head of the Department of Architecture. The Department Head can nominate up to two students.
Process
Submission requirements:
- A portfolio of 15 one-sided pages at 11"x17" or smaller, in a binding.
- All work must be executed by the student alone. No work executed in an office—unless it has been designed and drawn solely by the student—should be included.
- The first page will be a one-sided 8 1/2"x 11" sheet with the applicant's name, address, email address, telephone number, school attending and signature of the Department Head, and signature of the applicant indicating permission for display/publication of portfolio and subsequent travel report images on the KPF website. This page should contain a statement of the student's travel itinerary and the rationale for these travel plans. It should be easily detachable and should be the only page with any personal or identifiable information about the applicant.
- The portfolio should be submitted to Cynthia Stewart. Professor Andrew Scott will select up to two nominations, and the applications will be sent to Susan Green, Kohn Pedersen Fox, 111 West 42nd St., New York, NY 10036.
Schedule
Deadline to submit application to 7-337: 2019 date to be announced. In 2018 the decline was April 3
Deadline for MIT Architecture to submit the application materials for the two nominated students: 2019 date to be announced.
Recent MIT Winners
2008 Winner: Hoi Lung Damian Chan
2010 Winner: T. Buck Sleeper
2012 Honorable Mention: Hoi Kwan Cheung, Alan Lu
2013 Winner: Erioseto Hendranata
2017 Honorable Mention: Maya Shopova
2018 Winner: Mackenzie Muhonen
RAMSA Travel Fellowship
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Terms
The RAMSA Travel Fellowship is a $10,000 prize awarded annually by the Partners of Robert A.M. Stern Architects for the purpose of travel and research. The fellowship seek to promote investigations of the perpetuation of tradition through invention—key to the firm’s own success. The prize is intended to nurture emerging talent and will be forwarded to an individual who has proven insight and interest in the profession and its future, as well as the ability to carry forth in-depth research.
Eligibility
Enrollment as an MArch student or post-professional degree program in architecture in penultimate year (graduating in February or June 2019) in one of 19 participating schools including MIT. The student submits the application directly to RAMSA as there is no limit to the number of students who may apply from MIT.
Process
Submission requirements, application forms and the terms of the fellowship can be found on the RAMSA 2019 Travel Fellowship web site. Last year's application can be found here. Click here to download the application package.
Schedule
Deadline for submission of proposal to RAMSA: mid April 2019, date to be announced
Announcement of the Award: mid May 2019, date to be announced
2015: Elizabeth Yarina, first runner up2016: Jan Casimir, honorable mention
The John Belle Travel Fellowship
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Terms
The John Belle Travel Fellowship is a $10,000 annual prize awarded by the Beyer Blinder Belle Foundation in honor of John Belle, a founding partner of Beyer Blinder Belle Architects & Planners, who devoted his career to the public realm--the planning, design, restoration and adaptive reuse of public building and urban centers. The inaugural traveling fellowship was for summer 2018. The purpose of the fellowship is to expand students' understanding of the public realm in existing cities through travel and research, and how the knowledge gained might be applied to contemporary urban needs and design challenges.
Eligibility
Enrollment as an MIT MArch student in penultimate year (graduations in February or June 2020). The student completes the application, and it must be approved by Professor Andrew Scott, Interim Head of the Department of Architecture. The Department Head can nominate up to two students.
Process
Submission requirements, application forms and the terms of the fellowship can be found here: Click here to download the application package.
Schedule
Deadline for approval by Department Head: Submit digital travel proposal and design portfolio to Cynthia Stewart by Wednesday, February 6, by 2:00 p.m.
Fellowship Application Deadline: February 11, 2019. Submit a digital copy of the submission documents to info@beyerflinderbellefoundation.org
Announcement of Award: March 27, 2019
File Info
Abstract:
File size: 2.29 MB
John Belle Travel Fellowship Application Package (2019-johnl-belle-app-pkg.pdf)
File size: 2.29 MB
John Belle Travel Fellowship Application Package (2019-johnl-belle-app-pkg.pdf)