We believe diversity in design isn't just a nice-to-have or an add-on.

It is essential for innovation and impact, demonstrating a commitment to equity, inclusion, and socially responsible design excellence.

The CHAMPION scholarship will be awarded.

during the Winter 2026 application cycle.

Award

One $500 scholarship will be awarded.

ESSAY PROMPT

Supporting Others: Discuss an instance where you provided substantial support to individuals or organizations facing challenges. How did you approach the situation, and what resources or skills did you offer? Reflect on how this experience demonstrates your commitment to service and leadership in your community.

Minimum 500 words, maximum of 1000 words.

CHAMPION is awarded to a student who takes action to contribute to their neighborhood, campus, or community-at-large through their commitment to service, generosity, leadership, and support for individuals or organizations.

Eligibility

To be eligible, applicants must be part of an under-represented community, be enrolled at a college or university within the state of Ohio during the academic term in which scholarships are awarded (Spring 2027), and already admitted into their major of architecture, engineering, construction, and/or a similar design field of study. Preference will be given to those active, and in good standing with, their local NOMA or NOMAs chapter. Other considerations include:

  • A cumulative grade point average of at least 2.7 on a 4.0 scale.

  • Experience with volunteering and other extracurricular activities.

All components of the application must be completed and received by the deadline Sunday, December 20, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants may apply to any, or all, available scholarships that they are eligible for, and no more than one essay per scholarship may be submitted.

Application Requirements

Application Form

Essay for each scholarship application

CV / One page Resume

Upload at least one Letter of Recommendation

Current copy of College/University Transcript

All materials must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM EST on December 20, 2026

For any questions, please email Contact@NOMAColumbus.org. We’re here to help!

Scholarship Sponsors

We greatly appreciate our Scholarship Sponsor(s). Donations accepted below or visit our Sponsor page.

3% Cover the Fee

For amounts over $50, please consider becoming a NOMAColumbus Sponsor instead.

For 2026, Impact Scholarships were funded by:

FAQs

  • Yes, students must be enrolled for Spring 2027 at an Ohio college/university in a Design related program(s):

    • Architecture

    • Landscape Architecture

    • Interior Design

    • Engineering

    • City & Regional Planning

    • Construction Management/Systems

    • And/or a similar field of design study. 

  • Yes! As long as you meet the eligibility requirements for the scholarship, you can apply for as many scholarships as you would like.

  • Recipients are selected by a jury of committee members based on a comprehensive evaluation process that considers several key factors, including:

    1. NOMAs Member: Students in good standing with their college/university NOMAs Chapter.

    2. Academic Achievement: GPA and transcripts will be reviewed.

    3. Essay: One essay per scholarship, but you can apply for more than one scholarship. Note: each scholarship has a different essay prompt.

    4. Letter(s) of Recommendation: Endorsements from teachers, mentors, or community leaders help us gauge character and potential.

    5. Need: Financial need is considered, helping us guide support to those who may benefit most.

    6. Community Involvement: Community service and/or extracurricular activities help us gauge your commitment to making a positive impact.

    This holistic approach ensures we recognize not only academic excellence but also resilience, character, and potential for future contributions to the community.

  • Online Applications only. If you have any questions, reach out to Contact@NOMAColumbus.org for assistance!

  • The winning recipients will be notified by no later than Wednesday, Dec 30.

    All applicants will receive notice via email of the results, whether they have received an award or not.

  • Yes! We encourage past recipients to apply for each semester’s scholarships.