October 25 2024

Z|S BIPOC Student Fellowship Now Accepting Applications For 2025

We are now accepting applications for the Z|S BIPOC Student Fellowship. Our BIPOC (Black/African American, Indigenous, and/or People of Color) Student Fellowship is designed to foster a more diverse and inclusive profession through the support, mentorship, and professional development of students from historically underrepresented demographics in architecture.

Fellowship recipients are awarded a paid internship and stipend with additional mentorship and professional development to support pursuing a career and licensure in architecture, during and after the Fellowship term.

 

"The ZS BIPOC Fellowship has given me the opportunity to develop the required skills of architectural practice in an industry with limited accessibility."

- Ioie Rogers-Archer, Designer, BIPOC Student Fellow '22

 

Fellowship Benefits and Expectations

Through a six-month engagement, Z|S BIPOC Student Fellows can expect a variety of experiences that broaden professional and design skills, including project-based involvement, site visits, networking opportunities, AXP experience, and active mentorship.

• Fellows will be compensated $20/hour (paid monthly) and will receive a $2,500 award at completion of the Fellowship
• Fellows are expected to work in person at the Studio in Baltimore City. Office hours are 8:30 AM – 5:15 PM. Z|S and the selected Fellow will determine specific work hours depending on the Fellows’ specific goals and circumstances.
• Fellows are encouraged to be on a path to licensure and participate in the NCARB AXP Program. Fellows will receive experience in all six experience areas: Practice Management, Project Management, Programming & Analysis, Project Planning & Design, Project Development & Documentation, and Construction & Evaluation, and will be able to document their experience hours in the AXP program with the help of an identified AXP supervisor at Z|S.
• At the end of the Fellowship term, Fellows are expected to share a presentation with the Studio that details their experience or a specific interest that was explored during the internship.

 

Eligibility

• Applicants must be current students in an architecture program in the Baltimore-DC Metropolitan Area who are within 1-2 years of graduating with a professional degree, or in their final year of undergraduate studies. Other standings may be considered and will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
• Candidates must have a current GPA of 3.0 or better.
• Candidates who are Black/African American, Indigenous, and/or People of Color are eligible.
• Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

 

Application Process

Applications are due by February 28th, 2025. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed in late April and the selected Fellow will be notified in early May. The 2025 BIPOC Student Fellowship begins in June 2025 and ends in November 2025 (six months). One Fellowship is awarded per year.

Email the following materials to info@zigersnead.com with the subject: BIPOC Student Fellowship Program. 

• Resume
• Portfolio (10mb or less)
• Copy of transcript(s) 
• Contact information for one or more faculty reference 
• A letter (200 words or less) that includes the following:
• A statement sharing your journey to be an architect
• Proposed schedule for working hours during the 6-month window (full or part-time)