IFDA's Educational Foundation Announces Design Student Scholarships for 2020

Furniture World News Desk on 2/26/2020

The International Furnishings and Design Association's Educational Foundation recently announced that applications will be accepted between March 1 and March 31, 2020, for nine scholarships. Since the early years of this 73-year-old global design industry alliance, EF has awarded scholarships to high-achieving design students as well as grants to talented professionals, internationally.  This year there are nine scholarships available for a total of $18,000.

“These scholarships help us nurture and celebrate the talented individuals who are emerging in the design and furnishings industry,” said Gail Belz, FIFDA, Chairman of the Board of the Educational Foundation of IFDA.  “We continue to be committed to improving our industry by supporting students and enhancing public awareness through educational and philanthropic programs.”

Applicants must be currently enrolled and scholarships are paid to the school for the 2020 fall semester tuition.  Winners will be notified by July 31, 2020, unless otherwise stated.  The website has detailed information and applications:www.ifdaef.org 

The nine scholarships are as follows:

IFDA Leaders Commemorative Scholarship -- $1,500. Open to undergraduate students.

Part-Time Student Scholarship -- $1,500.  Open to undergraduate students.

IFDA Student Member Scholarship -- $2,000.  Open to IFDA student member undergraduate students. 

Verceille Voss IFDA Graduate Student Scholarship -- $2,000. Open to graduate students.

Ruth Clark Furniture Design Scholarship -- $3,000.  Open to undergraduate or graduate students.

Barbara Beckmann Textile Design Scholarship -- $3,000. Scholarship established by the IFDA Northern California Chapter in honor of Barbara Beckmann, a textile designer and longtime California Chapter member and mentor to new members and students.  Open to full or part-time undergraduates with course emphasis on textile design.

IFDA Philadelphia Scholarship -- $2,500. Scholarship established by the IFDA Philadelphia Chapter to reflect the rich history of design in Philadelphia and beyond.  Open to two-. three- or four-year undergraduates.  Focus rotates annually among design in textile, graphic, furniture and interior design. This year’s focus is furniture design.

Tricia LeVangie Green/Sustainable Design Scholarship -- $1,500. Open to undergraduate students. 

Window Fashion Certified Professionals for Certified Professionals Fast Track Scholarship -- $1,000 (one full registration for the webinar series).   Open to undergraduates in a two- or three-year design school program.

As stated, applications for all 2020 EF scholarships will only be accepted during the month of March, with winners promised notification in July. For details, please consult the Educational Foundation website www.ifdaef.org. Or for answers to specific questions about these or any of EF's other scholarships and grants, contact Director Joyce Poynton at jmpoy702@gmail.com.

About the IFDA Educational Foundation: The IFDA Educational Foundation is a non-profit, tax exempt, 501©(3) organization.  It’s nine scholarships support both full and part-time undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of interior, green/sustainable, product and textile design.  In addition, 13 grants support professional development opportunities for IFDA members and other design industry professionals as well as needed resources for design schools.  Visit instagram.com/ifdaef/  and facebook.com/ifda.educational.foundation/.