AIA International Emerging Architect Award - Call for Entries
SUBMIT By Monday 5 October
AIA International is proud to launch the inaugural AIA International Emerging Architect Award, an annual recognition program established to celebrate emerging professionals who demonstrate exceptional leadership, service, and commitment to the profession.
The award recognizes AIA International members who are shaping the future of architectural practice through design excellence, professional engagement, community service, and leadership within the global architectural community.
ELIGIBILITY
Candidates must be:
A member of AIA International in good standing
Within the first ten (10) years of professional experience, i.e. graduated from a professional architecture degree program after 5 October, 2016.
Candidates are NOT required to be licensed architects.
NOMINATION PROCESS
The nominator must fully explain the candidate’s contributions and submit relevant exhibits and letters for recommendation to support the nomination. Self-nominations are encouraged, provided they include all the required information.
CRITERIA
Submissions will be evaluated based on the candidate’s demonstrated commitment to professional excellence and leadership, including contributions to design, practice, education, public service, professional engagement, and community impact.
KEY DATES
Submissions Open: 21 July 2026
Submission Deadline: Monday 5 October 2026 at 5pm (Eastern US time)
Award Announcement: November 2026.
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
For each entry, the submission PDF must be uploaded to a web-based file transfer platform (e.g. Dropbox, WeTransfer, etc.).
Please share the download link via email to: EmergingArchitectAward@aiainternational.org.
The submission must comply with the following guidelines:
A single file in PDF format. Do not use password protection or other document restrictions.
A combination of text and/or images. Text on image elements are allowed. All portfolio elements must be contained in the document, i.e. avoid links to external materials, embedded videos, etc.
A4 page size with reasonable (i.e. easily viewable, printable) margins.
Consistently use either landscape OR portrait orientation.
Minimum font size - 11 pt.
Maximum file size - 25 MB. To reduce file size, reduce the size, quantity, and/or quality of imbedded images as needed.
Maximum twenty (20) pages long.
Contents must be as follows, in order:
Nomination Letter: Max. 1 page.
Recommendation Letters: Up to three (3) one-page letters for support, by those who know the quality of the nominee’s work or service; letters should contain specific reasons to support.
Candidate Biography: e.g. positions, offices, honors, publications, awards received, presentations, etc. Max 2 pages.
Summary of Accomplishments: i.e. narrative demonstrating how the candidate has contributed, e.g. how they have advanced design, practice, or education; enhanced the profession via engagement; benefited communities with volunteer effort. Max 2 pages.
Exhibits: Include materials like clippings, project drawings, articles, citations, notes on volunteer service, community service, AIA involvement, leadership, public speeches etc.
Candidates are asked to demonstrate their "ripple effect" on the profession. This means your impact beyond the day-to-day work of your practice or outside your immediate community. The ripple effect could be demonstrated by speaking, publications, mentoring, service to the profession, geographic impact, or legacy through others.
Candidate photograph: please include as a separate JPEG; no larger than 300 dpi and 1 MB. (not included in page count).
ENTRY FEES
The entry fee is $50 USD.
All entry fees must be received by the submission deadline of Monday 5 October 2026 at 5pm (Eastern US time).
Payment Methods
Credit Card: via EVENTBRITE OR
Bank Transfer: to the AIA International Bank Account, details below. Please use payment reference ‘Emerging Architect’.
Please submit any questions here: EmergingArchitectAward@aiainternational.org.
