Medal for Academic Excellence
The AIA Medal for Academic Excellence is awarded to the top graduating students with a Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Architecture, or Doctor of Architecture from schools accredited by NAAB or CACB.
Architecture student academic award
For more than a century, AIA has provided a medal of excellence to the top graduating students in National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB) or Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) accredited degrees, Bachelor of Architecture, Master of Architecture, or Doctor of Architecture.
The award for students in architecture was begun in 1914 by a resolution adopted by the AIA Board of Directors. Today, more than 100 schools annually submit the name of one graduate of a BArch, MArch, or DArch program, who displays "general excellence" throughout their academic career. Please note that students in a BS, BA, MS, MA architecture degree (not accredited by NAAB) are not eligible for this award.
The annual submission form is open each year from February 1 through September 30. School officials should create an AIA account login in order to submit the names of their winner(s).
For questions regarding the program or application process, please email us.
Education of present and future architects is critical to AIA's vision to drive positive change through the power of design.
The Architects Foundation attracts, inspires, and invests in the next-generation design community—awarding scholarships to NAAB-accredited undergraduate and graduate students, Architect Registration Exam candidates, and licensed architects pursuing continuing education.