Our scholarships aim to foster inclusivity and professional development within the fields of Information Architecture and User Experience Design. Applications closed on February 16, 2025, and scholarship recipients will be announced by March 15, 2025.
The IAC Student Equity Scholarship supports students from underrepresented backgrounds, offering financial assistance and professional development opportunities to help them become future leaders in the field.
IAC Scholars share in the prestige and opportunities that become available when they are selected.
Besides financial support, recipients will have access to peer mentoring and a large alumni network. Critical for long-term impact, the program offers continuing education and professional development opportunities foundational to obtaining leadership positions within the profession.
The Scholarship Program’s three primary purposes are to:
- Nurture and sustain the professional development of the scholars,
- Establish a network of scholars over time who become mentors to other promising newcomers, and
- Support the information architecture and user experience design communities.
Benefits
Student Equity Scholars receive:
- Full registration for the main conference
- Accommodation, meals, and travel expenses
- Public recognition in the conference and free access to pre-conference IAC Scholar activities
- Mentoring opportunities and access to an alumni network
- Networking with scholars and industry leaders
Eligibility
To qualify, applicants must:
- Identify as a member of one or more of these groups:
- Black or African
- Hispanic or Latinx
- Indigenous, First Nation, or American Indian
- Middle Eastern or North African
- Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
- East Asian
- South Asian
- Southeast Asian
- Attend an undergraduate, graduate or certificate program in:
- Information Architecture
- Library and Information Studies
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Computer Science, Psychology
- Other related program
- Be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program that begins no later than September 1st
- Have full or part-time student status
Application Process
Applications for both scholarships will be open until February 16, 2025, with scholarship recipients to be announced around March 15, 2025. To apply for our scholarships, you will be asked to complete a short personal statement that answers:
- Why are you applying for the IAC Scholarship program?
- What drew you to apply to IAC25?
- How would attending the conference help with your career plans?
- Note: Statements should not exceed 500 words (3000 characters). Do not identify yourself or your previous employers in the essay.
Review Process
A panel of judges from the IAC community will select scholarship winners. Selections will be based on:
- Stated goals
- Quality of writing
- Potential for growth and leadership