So You Want to Win a Hazel Siegel Scholarship
Key Facts
- Three winners will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the SHIFT Conference.
- Applicants need to submit several elements in their application.
- Deadline for applications is December 5, 2025.
IIDA NY has opened applications for the fifth annual Hazel Siegel Student Scholarship, created to honor the life and legacy of Hazel Siegel—a celebrated textile designer, educator, and longtime IIDA NY leader.
For more than 40 years, Hazel shaped the interior design industry through her work at KnollTextiles, her founding of the modern textiles studio Textus (later acquired by Momentum Group), and more than a decade of teaching textile design at Pratt Institute. Her dedication to mentorship, craft, and emerging talent remains central to this scholarship.
This year, three winners will receive an all-expenses-paid, three-day professional development experience at IIDA’s SHIFT Conference in Dallas, Texas—along with a one-year IIDA NY student membership. The scholarship is generously sponsored by Momentum Textiles, honoring their colleague and collaborator.
To make the process easier, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you understand what’s included, determine if you’re eligible, and submit a strong application before the December 5th deadline.
How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility
You must be:
- A currently enrolled undergraduate or graduate interior design student in New York State
- In good academic standing
- Available to travel to Dallas for the SHIFT Conference: February 11–13, 2026
If you meet all three criteria, you’re ready for Step 2.
Step 2: Prepare and Craft Your Personal Statements
You will be asked to share:
- Why you’re pursuing a career in interior design
- What your post-graduation goals look like
- How receiving the scholarship and attending the SHIFT Conference will impact your growth
- How you can support justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in interior design
Keep your responses concise, reflective, and specific.
What You’ll Gain as a Scholarship Winner
Before diving into the application steps, here’s what’s at stake for winners: A Fully Funded, Career-Boosting Experience
You will receive:
- Roundtrip travel to Dallas
- Hotel accommodations
- Full SHIFT Conference registration
- Access to:
- Portfolio reviews
- Mock interviews
- Firm + project tours
- CEU sessions
- Industry expo
- Networking events with design leaders
- A one-year IIDA NY student membership
This is a high-impact, real-world professional development opportunity designed to build confidence, connections, and industry readiness.
