Twenty ways the design community funds its own.
Scholarships for students studying interior design, and grants for the professionals already doing the work. Applications open once a year, so it is worth knowing the dates before they arrive.
Four ways the Foundation puts money to work
Funding for students, for working professionals, for chapters, and for the people who will lead this industry next. Tap any card for the details.
Money raised by designers, given to designers
The Foundation is funded by IFDA member dues, chapter donations, individual members and industry friends. It goes back out as scholarships and grants every single year.
Paid direct.
Scholarship funds go straight to the recipient's school, earmarked for tuition, so the award actually lands where it is needed.
Open wide.
Applicants do not need to be US citizens. They need to be enrolled at a US institution and majoring in design or a related field.
Given yearly.
Twenty funded awards every year across students, professionals and chapters, plus the Schoenthal Leadership Forum.
These are the people the money reached
Ten scholarship recipients for 2026, studying interior design, furniture design, textiles and graphic design at institutions across the country.
Find the one you qualify for
Twenty funded awards, listed with the amount and who each one is open to. Scholarships are for students. Grants are for professionals, programs and chapters.
Scholarships
Apply March 1–31Tony Fusco Scholarship
New England residents currently enrolled in interior design or a related program, undergraduate or graduate. Supported by the New England Chapter.
Ruth Clark Furniture Design Scholarship
Undergraduate or graduate students with a course emphasis on residential upholstered or wood furniture design. Supported by the Carolinas Chapter.
FBN Leaders Commemorative Scholarship
Full-time undergraduates in interior design or a related program with volunteer or community service and a leadership record over the past five years.
Barbara Beckmann Textile Design Scholarship
Full or part-time undergraduate and graduate students with a course emphasis on textile design. Supported by the Beckmann family and the Northern California Chapter.
IFDA Philadelphia Scholarship
Students in two, three or four year interior design or related programs, with a course emphasis on graphic design. Includes an IFDA Student Membership.
IFDA Student Member Scholarship
Full-time undergraduates who are current IFDA student members and have completed at least four design courses.
Vercille Voss IFDA Graduate Student Scholarship
Full or part-time graduate students at an accredited university. Supported by the Vercille Voss Legacy Trust.
Avalon Flooring Scholarship
Students residing in or attending school in New Jersey, Delaware or southeastern Pennsylvania. Includes an optional paid internship for the winner.
Tricia LeVangie Green/Sustainable Design Scholarship
Full or part-time undergraduates focused on green and sustainable design. Supported by the New England Chapter.
Part-Time Student Scholarship
Part-time undergraduates enrolled in a continuing education interior design or related program at an accredited school.
The window opens March 1 and closes March 31
Thirty one days, once a year. Put your name down and we will email you the morning it opens.
Remind Me When It OpensGrants
Apply June 1–30Valerie Moran Memorial Grant
For an IFDA professional member expanding their horizons through travel, trade shows or professional development studies. Supported by the New York Chapter.
Chapter Partnership Grants
Three grants of $1,000 each, awarded to IFDA chapters running educational programs for members and the wider design community.
Elizabeth Brown Grant to Interior Design Programs
Awarded to a US accredited interior design program for supplementary materials and resources: books, periodicals, audio visual aids, software.
Irma Dobkin Universal Design Grant
For an individual developing a universal design project, product, curriculum or marketing effort. Supported by the Washington, DC Chapter.
Ina Mae Kaplan Historic Preservation Grant
For those restoring or preserving historic sites related to design and furnishings. Supported by the Washington, DC Chapter.
Claire Coleman Founders Grants
Two grants of $1,000 each, helping IFDA chapters develop marketing and communications programs, events or projects. Supported by the New York Chapter.
Barbara Brock Memorial Grant
Two travel reimbursements of up to $750 each for IFDA experts speaking at market weeks, trade events, seminars and home shows. Supported by the Arizona Chapter.
Tony Torrice Professional Development Grant
For a professional in interior design or a related field advancing their career through independent or academic study.
New Chapter Development Grant
Helps a newly established IFDA chapter present its first educational program and attract new membership.
Chapter Student Member Event Grant
Five grants of $200 each, encouraging chapter interaction with IFDA student members.
Schoenthal IFDA Leadership Forum
Leadership training for a select group of IFDA members, led by noted professionals. Offered by invitation, often alongside an IFDA Industry Forum or Symposium.
A foundation run by the industry it serves
The IFDA Educational Foundation exists to foster educational and philanthropic activities that strengthen the furnishings and design industries. It is a non-profit, tax exempt 501(c)(3) organization.
The Board of Trustees
Our Mission
To foster educational and philanthropic activities that enhance the furnishings and design industries, through scholarships, grants, leadership training and community service.
How We Are Governed
A Board of Trustees including the Chair, Vice Chair, Immediate Past Chair, Director of Grants, Director of Communications and Director of Resources, with up to four Honorary Trustees. The IFDA President serves ex-officio.
Where Funding Comes From
A portion of IFDA member dues, plus donations from chapters, individual members, and industry and corporate friends. Contributions, gifts and bequests are deductible for federal income and estate tax purposes.
Before you start an application
The short answers. The full requirements live on each award's application form.
When can I apply?
Scholarship applications are accepted each year between March 1 and March 31, with winners notified by July 1. Grant applications are accepted between June 1 and June 30, with winners notified by August 31, unless otherwise noted for a particular award.
Do I have to be a US citizen?
No. Applicants need not be US citizens, but must attend school in the US. Scholarships are for undergraduate and graduate students at US institutions, and all applications must be submitted in English.
Do I have to be an IFDA member?
Not for most awards. Scholarships generally require a major in interior design or a related design and furnishings program. A few awards do carry a membership requirement, including the IFDA Student Member Scholarship, the Valerie Moran Memorial Grant and the Barbara Brock Memorial Grant.
How is the money paid out?
Scholarship funds are paid directly to the recipient's school, earmarked for tuition, rather than to the student. For two and three year programs the award may also be paid to the institution, or may take the form of a special course rather than a monetary award. Grant funds are paid in US dollars for the stated use of the applicant, and may not be used for indirect costs.
What do I need to submit?
Most scholarships ask for a completed application form, an unofficial transcript, a 200 to 400 word essay on your goals and what drew you to this field, one design project example with process and final drawings, additional individual images, and a letter of recommendation from an instructor or professor on school stationery. Everything is submitted as PDF files.
What if my application is incomplete or late?
The committee will not review incomplete or late applications. It is worth starting well before the deadline and checking your award's application form for its full requirements.
Who do I send questions to?
Earline Feldman, Director of Scholarships and Grants, at [email protected] or 1.770.378.7221. General Foundation enquiries can go to [email protected].
How can I support the Foundation?
Contributions can be made through personal or memorial donations, or by will. Tax-deductible contributions are accepted throughout the year as well as with annual dues renewals. Gifts of cash, appreciated assets, estate gifts and deferred gifts are all acceptable. Every IFDA member is automatically a member of the Educational Foundation.
Applications open for thirty one days. We'll tell you when.
Get the reminder
One email when your application window opens. Nothing else.
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Your email stays with the Foundation.
You're on the list.
We'll email you as soon as the window opens.