IFDA Educational Foundation Adds 10th Scholarship

LEWISVILLE, N.C. – The Educational Foundation (EF) of the International Furnishings and Design Association (IFDA) will accept applications from March 1 through March 31, 2026, for 10 student scholarships totaling $27,500. The additional scholarship for 2026 is funded by Avalon Flooring.

“We are pleased to announce this new Avalon Flooring scholarship for design students – the future of our industry,” said Karen Dzendolet, Chairman of the Board of the Educational Foundation of IFDA. “We would also like to extend our wholehearted thanks to Avalon Flooring for their support.”

Scholarships are open to undergraduate and graduate students currently enrolled in U.S. institutions. Awards are paid directly to the school for the fall 2026 semester. Students graduating in spring or summer 2026 are not eligible. Applications must be submitted in English. IFDA membership is not required, except for the IFDA Student Member Scholarship.

New for 2026

• Avalon Flooring – $2,000
  
  Open to students residing in or attending school in Southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey or Delaware who are enrolled in an accredited interior design or design-related program of any length. The scholarship focuses on a kitchen or bath design project and includes an optional paid internship for the awarded recipient.

Additional 2026 Scholarships

• Tony Fusco Scholarship – $6,000
  
  Established by the IFDA New England Chapter to honor the late Tony Fusco. Open to New England residents currently enrolled full-time in an interior design or related undergraduate or graduate program.

• FBN Leaders Commemorative Scholarship – $3,000
  
  Open to full-time undergraduate students currently enrolled in an interior design or related program; extra consideration for volunteer work and leadership.

• Part-Time Student Scholarship – $1,500
  
  Open to part-time students currently enrolled in an interior design or related program.

• IFDA Student Member Scholarship – $2,000
  
  Open to full-time undergraduate IFDA student members enrolled in an interior design or related program.

• Vercille Voss IFDA Graduate Student Scholarship – $2,000
  
  Open to full- or part-time graduate students currently enrolled in an interior design or related program.

• Ruth Clark Furniture Design Scholarship – $4,000
  
  Open to full- or part-time undergraduate or graduate students with a course emphasis in furniture design.

• Barbara Beckmann Textile Design Scholarship – $3,000
  
  Open to full- or part-time undergraduate and graduate students with a course emphasis in textile or related design.

• IFDA Philadelphia Scholarship – $2,500
  
  Open to students enrolled in two-, three- or four-year interior design or related programs. The 2026 focus is Graphic Design.

• Tricia LeVangie Green/Sustainable Design Scholarship – $1,500
  
  Open to full- or part-time undergraduate students enrolled in an interior design or related program.

Applications will only be accepted during March 2026. Winners will be notified in July. Recipients of a specific scholarship may not reapply for that same award. Details and application forms are available at www.ifdaef.org.

About IFDA Educational Foundation

IFDA Educational Foundation is a non-profit, tax exempt, 501(c)(3) organization. It’s nine scholarships support both full and part-time undergraduate and graduate students in the areas of interior, green/sustainable, product and textile design. In addition, the grants support professional development opportunities for IFDA members and other design industry professionals as well as needed resources for design schools, and IFDA programs for chapters and members. For more information, visit www.ifdaef.org.