Port Eads, Louisiana. © Virginia Hanusik.
1. Fellowship
In 2018, the SOM Foundation introduced the Research Prize to cultivate new ideas and meaningful research that addresses the critical issues of our time. Each year, two $30,000 prizes are awarded to faculty-led interdisciplinary teams based in the United States to conduct original research that contributes to the SOM Foundation’s current topic.
2. Topic: Advancing Toward a Water-Secure Future
As shared during the United Nations 2023 Water Conference, two billion people lack access to safe drinking water; 40 percent of the world’s population is affected by water scarcity; agriculture demands alone account for 70 percent of water usage; more than 90 percent of disasters are water-related; and pressure on freshwater is projected to increase by more than 40 percent by 2050.
From macro multinational ecosystems to microclimates, there is an urgent need for bold and collaborative solutions to a myriad of existing and future water-related challenges. This year, the SOM Foundation will direct its support toward proposals that address the complex relationship between water, people, and the built environment. Creating a sustainable, equitable, and water-secure future will require innovative and multidisciplinary ideas that shape long-term policies, define comprehensive plans, and identify immediate actions.
3. Eligibility
The Research Prize is open to faculty currently teaching at a professionally accredited bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or PhD program in architecture, landscape architecture, interior architecture, urban design, or engineering in the United States. The research must be developed in a studio and/or seminar within the academic institution. The lead faculty member(s) will be expected to work in a collaborative manner with faculty from other disciplines, leading professionals, nonprofit organizations, and/or community representatives in addition to students enrolled in the studio and/or seminar. Collaborator(s) can be based worldwide.
SOM Foundation affiliated members and SOM employees should not be included as part of the proposals. Faculty from previously awarded proposals are not eligible. However, previously awarded academic institutions can submit new proposals.
4. Expected Outcomes
During the research period, the SOM Foundation will schedule periodic check-ins for the purpose of providing feedback and focus to maintain a high level of excellence throughout the research effort.
Research is expected to be completed a year after its start date. The start date can vary to match academic calendars but needs to be no later than August 31, 2025.
The winning teams will be required to thoroughly document the research findings and develop conclusions or suggestions for application to professional practice. The final report should advance the discussion around the selected topic and be visually compelling.
The lead faculty member(s) and academic institution may present the results at the end of the project at a public event held at their institution. Faculty will be responsible for seeking out additional opportunities to disseminate research findings at relevant professional, public, and civic events, as well as in online and print publications.
5. Application Requirements
Title Page
• Title of research project
• Name(s) and institutional affiliation of lead faculty member(s) and collaborator(s)
• Keywords
• Date of application
Abstract
• Provide a maximum 250-word abstract summarizing the topic of the proposed research. Specifically, the problems or the conditions that demonstrate the need for the research, the research question that will be addressed, the scope and proposed methodology of the work, and the expected outcomes of the project.
Description
• Provide a maximum 750-word expository description of the area of focus, scope, and outcomes of the proposed work. Include the institutional context of the research (e.g., team composition, travel, facilities, institutional support, etc.). Images that support the description of the project are encouraged.
Work Plan
• Identify project collaborator(s), schedule, key milestones, preliminary budget, final products, and a draft syllabus.
Preliminary Budget
• Provide itemized use of the award funds (e.g., research assistance, travel, equipment, software, supplies, etc.). Please include additional funds or in-kind support, if any, provided by other funding sources. Administrative costs should be kept to a minimum and never to exceed 10% of the award. Funding for a publication besides the required final report, exhibition, dedicated website, and/or final public event should not exceed 10% of the award.
Supporting Documentation
• CV(s) of lead faculty member(s)
• Examples of student studio and/or seminar work produced under the instruction of the lead faculty member(s); examples from multiple students in a single studio and/or seminar are preferred
• Letter of support from the supervising department head or chief academic officer of the department, college, or university of the lead faculty member(s)
Supplemental Documentation
• Provide a maximum of 20 pages of additional documentation directly related to the proposed research program (e.g., copies of completed or speculative creative work or building designs, relevant writings or other documents that establish unique qualifications).
6. Application Format
• Single PDF format
• 8.5ʺ x 11ʺ, portrait orientation
• 35 pages maximum
• 100 MB maximum
7. Application Deadline
Submit information via the application page form no later than Monday, November 11, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. CST. Applications received after that time will not be considered.
You should receive an email confirming the information you submitted. If not, please contact us at info@somfoundation.com.
8. Jury
This year’s jury will be led by SOM Foundation Executive Director Iker Gil and will include:
• Carson Chan (Director, Emilio Ambasz Institute for the Joint Study of the Built and Natural Environment; Curator, MoMA’s Department of Architecture and Design, New York City)
• Carol Coletta (President and CEO, Memphis River Parks Partnership, Memphis)
• Alex Krieger (Professor in Practice of Urban Design, Emeritus, Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Cambridge; SOM Foundation fellow)
• Shannon Nichol (Cofounder, GGN, Seattle)
The SOM Foundation reserves the right to choose not to award, to co-award, or to split the award as the jury deems appropriate.
9. Evaluation Criteria
• Proposal relevance to topic and objectives
• Research program innovation and rigorousness
• Clarity of approach to student engagement in the proposed research program
• Transferability of research outcomes to practice
• Qualifications, prior achievements, expertise, and track record of performance
• Capacity to administer, including contract and budget management
• Content and quality of supporting documentation
10. Notification of Award
The winners will be notified no later than Monday, January 27, 2025.
11. Recipient Responsibilities
By accepting an award, the recipients agree to:
• provide progress reports via email to the SOM Foundation Executive Director.
• complete the research and final report by December 31, 2026, or within an agreed-upon time, depending on circumstances.
• forfeit all fellowship money to the SOM Foundation in the event that research and final report are not completed by December 31, 2026, unless prior written approval is received from the SOM Foundation Executive Director.
Any changes to the proposal, including the schedule and budget allocation, need to be submitted in writing and approved by the SOM Foundation.
12. Copyright
The winning applications will become part of the SOM Foundation’s archive. The SOM Foundation reserves the right to use the winning applications—and the recipients’ monthly progress reports and final report—or any portion of them in press releases, presentations, exhibits, history books, and similar publications, as well as for public access and educational purposes in all media, including online. Authors will retain the copyright of their work.
13. Questions
For any questions or clarifications about the requirements, please contact info@somfoundation.com.