IFDA Educational Foundation opens 2026 professional grant applications

LEWISVILLE, N.C. — The Educational Foundation of IFDA, the International Furnishings and Design Association, is accepting applications for its professional grants from June 1-30.

The grants will be given to five professionals working in interior design or furnishings-related fields, as well as design educators and design programs. Winners will be notified by Aug. 31 or as noted for that grant.

Last year, the association awarded funds for scholarships and grants that totaled more than $30,000.

“These professional grants are an incredible opportunity to expand horizons, strengthen skills and jump-start careers,” said Karen Dzendolet, chairman of the board of the Educational Foundation of IFDA. “Take the next step, apply and make the most of it.”

The 79-year-old global design industry alliance has membership that includes designers, media and marketers. It has awarded hundreds of grants to talented professionals as well as scholarships to high-achieving design students.

The five grants open for application, starting June 1, are:

• Irma Dobkin Universal Design Grant— $2,000 Open to an individual involved with Universal Design to meet the living needs of all ages and capabilities in product development, a design project, education or marketing.
• Ina Mae Kaplan Historic Preservation Grant — $2,000 Open to those involved in restoring or preserving historic sites related to design/furnishings.
• Elizabeth Brown Grant to Interior Design Programs — $2,500 open to an accredited U.S. interior design program, for supplementary materials/resources.
• Tony Torrice Professional Development Grant — $1,500 open to professionals in design/furnishings seeking to enhance skills with advanced study.
• Valerie Moran Memorial Grant — up to $3,000 Awarded to an IFDA professional member interested in expanding their horizons through travel, trade shows and professional development studies.

In addition, IFDA has grants that may be applied for throughout the year, at least 30 days prior to the event:

• Barbara Brock Memorial Grant – $750 each, $1,500 total funds will go towards travel expenses for two IFDA experts to speak at various industry venues.
• Chapter Partnership Grants — $1,000 each, $3,000, total three grants available to IFDA chapters for educational programs (accepted a minimum of 30 days prior to event).
• Claire Coleman Founders Grants — $1,000 each, $2,000 total to help IFDA chapters develop marketing and communications programs, events or projects. Two grants available to IFDA chapters for marketing or communications programs (accepted a minimum of 30 days prior to the event).
• New Chapter Development Grant — $1,000, to aid newly formed chapters in creating an educational program to attract membership.
• Chapter Student Member Event Grant —$200 each, $1,000 total, encourages chapter interaction with IFDA student members.

It’s nine scholarships support both full and part-time undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of interior, green/sustainable, product and textile design. In addition, the grants support professional development opportunities for IFDA members and other design industry professionals, as well as needed resources for design schools and IFDA programs for chapters and members.

For more information, visit online or follow instagram.com/ifdaef/ and facebook.com/ifda.educational.foundation.