AIANY Community-Centered Design Grant

The AIANY Community-Centered Design Grant is an initiative of AIA New York (AIANY), the oldest and largest chapter of the American Institute of Architects. This grant is part of AIANY's broader "Belonging and Beyond" initiative, introduced by the 2024 AIANY President Gregory Switzer. The program reflects AIANY's commitment to promoting equity, inclusion, and meaningful community engagement in the design of the built environment. By supporting projects that go beyond regulatory requirements, AIANY aims to foster a design process that prioritizes the lived experiences and voices of communities in shaping urban spaces. The primary objective of the Community-Centered Design Grant is to support one project that exemplifies innovative and sustained community engagement throughout the entire lifecycle of a design and construction project. The grant will award $35,000 to a single initiative that goes beyond conventional consultation, embedding engagement from pre-design through one year after construction is completed. The successful proposal must showcase not only a continuous dialogue with community stakeholders but also demonstrate mechanisms for empowering those stakeholders in the decision-making process. Eligible projects must be either located within one of New York City's five boroughs or located elsewhere in the United States, provided that the submitting firm maintains its primary office in New York City. Furthermore, the project must involve publicly accessible space and already have secured funding for design and construction services. The specific portion of the project funded by the grant must be completed by December 2026, even if the overall project continues beyond that point. The selected proposal will be evaluated based on its integration of inclusive outreach strategies, its capacity to reach diverse community members, and the depth of its stakeholder collaboration. Applicants must provide a comprehensive plan that reflects a holistic view of engagement, including the often-overlooked phases such as post-occupancy evaluation. The program encourages reimagining the role of stakeholders beyond mandated review bodies like the Public Design Commission and local Community Boards, instead proposing a vision of stakeholders that includes past, present, and future users of the space. The application portal for the grant opened on July 7, 2025. The deadline for submissions is September 8, 2025. The selected recipient will be announced in November 2025. All submissions must meet the outlined eligibility criteria, and applicants are advised that AIANY will not issue refunds for ineligible projects. Questions related to submission requirements can be directed to Evelyn Serrano at eserrano@aiany.org. The grant offers an opportunity for design professionals to pioneer new standards of engagement that are context-sensitive and community-driven. By shifting power dynamics and integrating alternative forms of participation, the AIANY Community-Centered Design Grant seeks to inspire architectural practices that are responsive, inclusive, and impactful for communities across New York City and beyond.