Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Scholarship
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 DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) Scholarship.
Goals for the CIDQ DEI Scholarship 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 an 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.
Submission information for the 2026 program will be shared in Q1 of 2025.