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—a six-month, paid program designed to foster a more diverse, inclusive, and equitable profession through support, mentorship, and professional development of students who have historically been underrepresented in the field of architecture.

Our Fellowship supports emerging designers who demonstrate commitment, creativity, and a desire to overcome structural barriers in their path to becoming licensed architects. Past Fellows have gone on to become valued members of our profession and our team.

"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

This opportunity is intended for students who have historically faced barriers to entering the architecture profession. These may include, but are not limited to, factors such as socioeconomic background, being a first-generation college student, or other circumstances that have impacted access to educational or professional opportunities in the field of architecture.

• Fellows will be compensated $24/hour (paid monthly) and will receive a $2,500 award at the 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

This opportunity is intended for students who have faced barriers to accessing the profession. These may include—but are not limited to—experiences related to socioeconomic status, first-generation college status, systemic underrepresentation in architecture, or other factors that have shaped your path to the profession.

• Applicants must be current students in an accredited architecture program who are within 1-2 years of completing their professional degree or in their final undergraduate year. 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 must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

 

Application Process

Applications are due by April 4th, 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)