2025 Martin Roche Travel Scholarship
20
Days Left
to Enter

Application Deadline: Tuesday, October 14, 2025; 6:00pm CT

About Martin Roche, FAIA 

Martin Roche, FAIA (1853–1927), was a key figure in the rise of the Chicago School of Architecture, designing some of the city's earliest tall buildings. He partnered with William Holabird, FAIA, in 1881, forming Holabird and Roche in 1883. In his will, Roche directed that proceeds from his art collection support architecture students studying abroad. 

The Purpose: 

Established in 1926 by architect Martin Roche, FAIA, the Martin Roche Travel Scholarship supports independent study of architecture abroad. Past recipients have explored topics ranging from brownfield redevelopment in Germany to the link between design and crime in Medellín, and modernist religious architecture in Italy. 

The Scholarship: 

A $6,000 travel grant is awarded to one student enrolled in a NAAB-accredited architecture program at the University of Illinois Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, or the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. 

The proposal must describe an independent study of an architecture-related topic that takes place in a country other than the United States of America and that does not qualify for credit toward your degree program. 

Graduating students may use the grant for travel during the summer immediately following graduation. 

Following their travel, the recipient is required to present their work to the AIA Chicago community. The program will be arranged with the student and AIA Chicago Foundation staff.

The grant is distributed in two parts: $5,000 before travel and the remaining $1,000 after the presentation commitment.

Juries & the Jury Process 
All proposals will be evaluated by a five-member jury. The jury includes three (3) members of the AIA Chicago Foundation Board of Trustees and two (2) practicing architecture professionals who are not members of the Board. 

Evaluation 

The Jury evaluates candidates based on how well the candidate: 

The proposed independent study is academically and professionally relevant to the field of architecture. 

The study shows clear focus with well-defined goals and objectives. 

The itinerary or timeline outlines appropriate, complete, and achievable activities. 

The budget is realistic and aligned with the study’s goals. 

The project can be successfully completed within the $6,000 award. 

Reference letters are strong and provide specific insight into the student’s work. 

Timeline 

Applications Open: August 18, 2025 

Applications Close: October 14, 2025 at 6 PM CT

Fees

FREE 

 

 

Proposal:

The proposal must describe an independent study of an architecture-related topic that takes place in a country other than the United States of America and that does not qualify for credit toward your degree program.

Successful applicants have demonstrated a clarity in travel plans and proposal goals and outcomes. Ensure travel plans are reasonable in the amount of the time proposed. For example, traveling to four countries or eight cities in one month may not be practical in accomplishing an effective and thorough research project.

Eligibility:  
Undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in a NAAB-accredited architecture program at the University of Illinois Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, or the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.  

Applicants must have a faculty advisor for the proposal.

 

 

GENERAL INFO 

Name 

  • Full Address (number, city, state, zip code): 
  • Phone number 
  • School Email address 
  • Personal Email address 
  • School attending 
  • Graduate or undergraduate 
  • Year in school 
  • Degree program 
  • Expected graduation date 
  • Are you a US citizen or US permanent resident? 

PROPOSAL 

  • Title of study project 
  • Concise description of study topic (600 characters) 
  • List the country or countries to be visited 
  • Statement describing your travel study objectives.  (Not to exceed 1800 characters) 
  • Statement describing how the proposed trip will help your architecture career? (Not to exceed 1800 characters) 
  • Proposed itinerary or timeline for your travel study (not to exceed 4000 characters) 
  • A concise general budget, outlining anticipated expenses for your travel study 

ABOUT YOU 

  • Resume 
  • List any academic honors, scholarships, other awards or recognitions received 

FACULTY ADVISOR FOR PROPOSAL 

  • Name and title of the faculty member at your college of architecture who has agreed to be the advisor for your study and who will be sending a letter of recommendation. 

LETTERS OF REFERENCE 

  • The letters should summarize the academic merit and notable achievements of the nominee and why they should receive the travel scholarship. 
  • At least two 2 letters of recommendation, one from your advisor listed above 
  • Letters should be addressed to: Martin Roche Scholarship Jury

STATEMENT FROM THE APPLICANT 

  • By checking this box, I affirm that this entry meets the requirements as stated in the Call for Entries. I verify that the entry is entirely the work of those listed in this form 
  • Electronic Signatures & Release Forms 

NOTIFICATION 

The AIA Chicago office will notify winners following the final jury deliberations. Non-winners will be notified by email.  Winners are kindly asked not to make their own announcements prior to AIA Chicago’s announcement 

RECOGNITION 

Winners will be presented the award at the Building Together Awards ceremony December 4, 2025 at the Chicago Architecture Center.  AIA Chicago will prepare and distribute a press release about the awardee. Additional materials may be requested from the winner to be used in publicizing the award in Chicago Architect, in the architecture media, and for the Chapter’s website.   

INDEMNIFCATION
AIA Chicago is not able to independently verify the information and claims made by entrants in their submittal and thus, AIA Chicago assumes all applicants will follow the national AIA Code of Ethics and Professional Standards. As such, entrants shall indemnify AIA Chicago from any liability for erroneous information or content within the submittal. As noted above, entrants shall assume sole responsibility for design and photo credits and copyrights that allow the Chapter to award, represent and promote projects and designers selected by the juries.