Scholarship ACCESS Program (SAP)

CIDQ believes that the practice of interior design, a discipline that places people’s health, safety, and welfare at its very core, is elevated when a broad array of voices, perspectives, and sensibilities are fully represented. We are committed to reducing barriers and increasing access to career opportunities to further the advancement of historically underrepresented minorities and underserved communities within the field. We encourage members of diverse backgrounds to apply for the CIDQ Scholarship ACCESS Program (SAP).

Goals for the CIDQ SAP include:

To provide individuals from underrepresented groups (racial and ethnic backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, and/or disabilities) in the interior design community with access and opportunities to advance their careers.
To provide the interior design community with increased access to a diverse pool of talented professionals.

Eligibility:

To be eligible, the applicant must be from a historically underrepresented group; and MUST HAVE a CIDQ-approved NCIDQ Exam application at time of scholarship application submission.

Scholarship Details:

Scholarships are available to offset exam fees only for any of the three sections of the NCIDQ Exam (does not include application fees, study materials, or other ancillary expenses).
Scholarships will be awarded annually – and can be applied toward the spring (April) and/or fall (October) exam administrations in 2026.
Scholarships are ONLY redeemable for the fiscal year for which they are awarded.
Award decisions will be made based on how clearly your ideas are expressed and how you communicate your lived and learned experiences.

How to Submit for the 2026 program:

Applications will be accepted 9/1/25 - 10/31/25
Submit application in PDF format to scholarship@cidq.org
Submission deadline for the 2026 program: 10/31/25
Scholars will be notified by 11/27/25 for the 2026 NCIDQ Exam administrations (April & October)
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered (nor will applications submitted before 9/1/25)

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2025 RECIPIENTS!

Scholarships 2023