Student Travel Stipend + Scholarship Program

The IALD Education Trust provides support to students and educators for the purpose of promoting the profession of architectural lighting design; and strives to connect students with lighting practitioners and industry professionals.

Two of the principal means by which students are supported are through travel stipends that facilitate attendance at design conferences and functions, and scholarships to help further their education in lighting design.

Since 1998, the Trust has awarded over 400 travel stipends and over 100 scholarships in 12 countries.

Student Scholarships

There are currently two scholarships awarded to selected student applicants through the IALD Education Trust. University students in their Junior (third) or Senior (fourth) year and graduate students are eligible to apply.

  • Lighting Design Alliance Scholarship. One (1) award is given annually to non-US citizens enrolled in an accredited undergraduate or graduate-level program in lighting design or a related field in any country. The annual award amount is $2,500 USD.
  • Thomas M. Lemons Scholarship. One (1) or two (2) awards are given, each $4,500 USD renewable for a two-year maximum with proof of student status. It is made possible by Available Light, Inc. It requires applicants to be Junior, Senior, or Graduate-level lighting design students at an accredited school in the United States, regardless of nationality. The annual award amount is $4,500 USD.

NOTE: Student scholarship applications were accepted from 1 April to 26 April 2024. The application period for 2024 is now closed.

We have made updates to the 2024 Student Scholarship Program. If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, it is important that you read the latest Scholarship Application Information Document (PDF) fully. This document contains important information for potential applicants including submission requirements and answers to frequently asked questions about the program.

Scholarship Eligibility

  • Applicants of all nationalities are encouraged to apply. You must be a student member of the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) or have membership pending at the time of application. (Please see here for membership information.)
  • Juniors (third year), Seniors (fourth year), and graduate students are eligible.
  • You must not be graduating in the semester of your application.

Submission Requirements + Documents

  • All applications must be submitted in English.
  • Resume/CV: one (1) page maximum.
  • Recommendation from a professor or professional: one (1) page maximum. (We suggest that you request this document as soon as possible.)
  • Personal Statement: 150- 300 words.
  • Please provide a portfolio of your one (1) best lighting project that demonstrates: process, concept, project goals and considerations for technical criteria. Your portfolio can be 3-page maximum and is expected to include images, brief text, architectural drawings, and sketches.

Student Travel Stipends

In an ongoing effort to ensure the future of the architectural lighting design profession, the IALD Education Trust Travel Stipend Program enables lighting students from across the world to attend key industry events, seminars, and conferences, such as IALD Enlighten Americas, IALD Enlighten Europe, LightFair, and a variety of international trade shows. 

Full-time undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to apply. The IALD Education Trust is proud to include theatrical lighting design students in its work; all student members of the United States Institute for Theatrical Technology (USITT) are eligible to apply for all travel stipends.

NOTE: Applications for 2024 travel stipends were open from 7 January to 31 January 2024. The application period is now closed. Selected recipients will be contacted individually.

We have made updates to the 2024 Travel Stipend Program. Please read the Stipend Program Application Information Document (PDF) in its entirety before applying. The document contains important information on eligible events, submission requirements, and answers to frequently asked questions about the program.

Submission Requirements + Documents

  • All applications must be submitted in English.
  • Resume/CV: two (2) pages maximum.
  • Personal Statement: introduce yourself and explain how a travel stipend will help you achieve your academic/career goals. (350 words maximum)
The 2024 IALD International Lighting Design Awards

IALD Enlighten Europe 2024