FAQ
Application Procedures and Eligibility:
Q: Can I apply to both the Gertrude Lempp Kerbis Prize and the Roula Alakiotou Scholarship?
A: Yes! Students are eligible in their last year of an accredited degree for both awards. For both the Gertrude Lempp Kerbis Prize and the Roula Alakiotou Scholarship, students graduating in December 2023 and May 2024 are eligible.
Q: I’m graduating with my Bachelor’s degree, am I eligible to apply?
A: It depends – if you’re graduating with a Bachelors in Architecture (B.Arch), you are! If you’re graduating with a Bachelors of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelors in Science (B.S.), unfortunately you are not. If you continue on for a M.Arch at any of the eligible institutions, please apply in your last year of that degree!
Q: Are the application procedures the same for Gerturde Lempp Kerbis Prize and the Roula Alakiotou Scholarship?
A: For both awards, you’ll register first and receive an ID number. Then, you’ll receive an email with a link to a submission folder. You should hear back from us within 3 business days. Please be aware that the submission requirements are different for the two awards and if you submit to both awards, you will have two separate folders and two separate ID numbers. Please ensure you’re submitting the documents to the correct folder or your application may be lost.
Q: How will I know the results?
A: You’ll be notified via email of your award within about a month from the close of the awards.
Gertrude Lempp Kerbis Prize:
Q: What format does the Project Proposal need to be?
A: The Project Proposal should be a four page 11” x 17” PDF. It can be either landscape or portrait.
Q: Are there specific drawings required?
A: No, but please include drawings that you think will most accurately showcase your project to the jury!
Q: Some of my group members are not eligible for the prize – what should I do?
A: If not all of your group members are eligible for the prize, your only option is to follow “Option 2” on the Submission Guidelines. This option consists of submitting a project by yourself with memorandums from your teammates that they give consent to you to submit the project and that they will not claim the prize as their own. Please submit this as a separate pdf named “#ID_XXX_Memorandum” where XXX is the numeric ID number that you receive from CWA. Projects can only be submitted for the GLK Prize one time. If your group members do not agree to let you submit the project, please consider submitting another project!
Q: I worked on the project with another student but would like to submit alone – what should I do?
A: You should follow “Option 2” on the submission requirements. If you’re submitting a group project by yourself, the work presented must be substantially yours. You’ll need to include your specific role in the project explanation and you’ll need to include a memorandum from each member of your team. More details can be found on the submission guidelines. Please submit this as a separate pdf named “#ID_XXX_Memorandum” where XXX is the numeric ID number that you receive from CWA.
Q: Can things have my name on them?
A: No – your design project and project statement should not have your name or university on them. You may include your university–but not your name–on your resume. The letters of recommendation can have your information on them – please direct your recommenders to the Submission Guidelines for specific details about what is needed in the letters.
Q: What is the voting process like?
A: There will be two voting rounds. The first round will be a closed voting session juried by CWA and CWAF board members. After determining finalists, the second round will be an in-person session open to CWA members.
Q: I’m submitting my project as a group – whose resume(s) should I submit?
A: Please submit a resume for each group member. They can all be included in the final submission package.
Q: What if my group member and I are from different universities?
A: As long as you’re both individually eligible to apply, you can apply together as a group!
Q: If we’re submitting as a group, can we have individual and group letters of recommendation?
A: Sure! One approach could be to have one from a studio professor speaking about the group as a whole and individual recommendations for each group member.
Roula Alakiotou Scholarship:
Q: What format does the portfolio need to be?
A: The file should be a PDF, but sizing and orientation are up to you! Please submit your portfolio in a format that showcases your work best.
Q: I’m concerned about getting a letter from the Dean of my architecture school, what do I do?
A: A letter from your dean is no longer required! Please have an academic letter of recommendation from a professor!
Q: There are some projects in my portfolio that I worked with another student – what should I do?
A: We want to see your skills as a team player, as well! Feel free to show us team project work, but make sure to have each of your group members fill out a Group Work Memorandum. Please submit this as a separate pdf named “#ID_XXX_Memorandum” where XXX is the numeric ID number that you receive from CWA.
Q: Should I be showing every project I’ve done in architecture school or a selection?
A: Consider this to be a portfolio that you would present to a firm you’d like to join. This typically shows your best project work! We’d recommend showing both your design and technical skills in this portfolio.
Q: Can things have my name on them?
A: No – your portfolio should not have your name or university on them. The letters of recommendation and transcripts can have your information on them – please direct your recommenders to the Submission Guidelines for specific details about what is needed in the letters.
Q: What is the voting process like?
A: There will be two voting rounds. The first round will be a closed voting session juried by CWA and CWAF board members. After determining finalists, the second round will be an in-person session open to CWA members.