IFDA Educational Foundation Scholarships
Scholarship Sponsored by International Furnishings and Design Association
IFDA-EF SCHOLARSHIPS — OVERVIEW AND ELIGIBILITY
Intro
The IFDA Educational Foundation scholarships are intended for students majoring in interior design or in related design/furnishings programs, unless a specific scholarship notes otherwise. Applicants do not have to be U.S. citizens, but they must be enrolled at a school located in the United States. All scholarship applications and supporting materials must be submitted in English. These awards are available to both undergraduate and graduate students attending U.S. institutions.
How award payments are handled
Scholarship disbursements are normally sent directly to the recipient’s educational institution and designated for tuition; they are not issued directly to the student (refer to individual scholarship descriptions for any exceptions). For students enrolled in two- or three-year programs, the award may either be remitted to the institution or provided as a designated course offering rather than a cash payment. Please review the specific description and criteria for each scholarship carefully before applying.
2026 Undergraduate eligibility
To be eligible for an undergraduate scholarship for 2026 you must: be currently enrolled in an undergraduate interior design or related program; meet the stated criteria for the particular scholarship you are seeking; and have a graduation date of no earlier than the end of the fall 2026 semester. Students who will graduate in spring or summer 2026 are not eligible to apply.
2026 Graduate eligibility
To apply for a graduate scholarship in 2026 you must either be currently enrolled in a graduate program or have an official acceptance to begin a graduate program in summer or fall 2026 (you must submit a copy of the acceptance letter). You must also satisfy the specific scholarship criteria and have a graduation date no earlier than the end of the fall 2026 semester. Students with graduation dates in spring or summer 2026 are not eligible.
Application timing and review
Applications are accepted annually in March. Unless an alternate notification date is specified, recipients will be informed of award decisions by July 1. Application forms and any additional requirements are available by clicking the “View” link on each scholarship’s overview page. Incomplete or late submissions will not be reviewed by the selection committee.
Scholarships (amount and basic eligibility)
- FBN Leaders Commemorative Scholarship — $3,000
Open to full-time undergraduate students currently enrolled in an interior design or related program. Volunteer service and leadership activities will be considered for additional credit.
- Part‑Time Student Scholarship — $1,500
Open to students currently enrolled part‑time in an interior design or related program.
- IFDA Student Member Scholarship — $2,000
Open to full‑time undergraduate interior design or related program students who are IFDA student members.
- Vercille Voss IFDA Graduate Student Scholarship — $2,000
Open to graduate students (full‑ or part‑time) currently enrolled in an interior design or related program.
- Ruth Clark Furniture Design Scholarship — $4,000
Open to undergraduate or graduate students (full‑ or part‑time) currently enrolled and taking courses with an emphasis on furniture design.
- Tricia LeVangie Green/Sustainable Design Scholarship — $1,500
Open to undergraduate students (full‑ or part‑time) currently enrolled in an interior design or related program with an interest in sustainable/green design.
- Barbara Beckmann Textile Design Scholarship — $3,000
Open to undergraduate and graduate students (full‑ or part‑time) currently enrolled in interior design or related majors who have coursework emphasizing textile design.
- IFDA Philadelphia Scholarship — $2,500
Open to students in two‑, three‑, or four‑year interior design or related programs with coursework emphasis in textile design.
- Tony Fusco Scholarship — $6,000
Open to residents of New England who are currently enrolled (undergraduate or graduate, full‑time) in an interior design or related program.
Please read each scholarship’s full overview and criteria before beginning your application.