The IDC Foundation Scholarship Program
The IDC Foundation Scholarship Program at The Cooper Union supports exceptional students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, intellectual curiosity, interdisciplinary interests, and a strong commitment to address societal challenges within the built environment. Merit-based, full-tuition scholarships are awarded to rising junior engineering students and fourth-year architecture students, enabling them to expand their academic and aspirational horizons during a pivotal year of academic and personal growth. Eligible applicants will propose an ambitious, self-designed year of interdisciplinary inquiry, exploration, and discovery that seeks to address a social issue in the built world. IDC Foundation Scholars will receive full-tuition support for the undergraduate year immediately preceding their senior year.
Competitive applicants will identify a social issue to address and propose a compelling plan of steps they will take in pursuit of a solution, or to inform and produce a detailed action plan for implementation the following year. All plans must be well-developed, use two or more of the fields of engineering, architecture, or building technologies, clearly define goals and desired outcomes, and include an approximate timeline of activities.
Four IDC Foundation Scholars will be selected—two from engineering and two from architecture. Each will receive a one-year, full-tuition scholarship, along with a $1,000 cash award for expenses related to their approved plan. Eligible uses may include supplies and resources, AACE Lab materials, software, equipment, travel, professional development, industry engagement, or community-based activities related to the student’s approved plan for the year.
In the Fall, IDC Foundation Scholars will work with an academic advisor to finalize goals and refine plans into a structured course of action. Scholars will be required to submit an interim and final narrative report on their activities and outcomes, and a final accounting of how their award funds were spent.
Eligible students must be a rising junior in engineering (sophomore at time of application) or rising fourth-year in architecture (in third year at time of application), be in good academic standing, and a full-time matriculating undergraduate at Cooper Union.
Application Deadline is May 10, 2026, for use in academic year 2026-27. No late or incomplete applications will be accepted. Notifications of awards will be made by June 1, 2026.
Applicants must provide a reference from a faculty member who can attest to the student’s level of academic achievement, innovative thinking, and ability to complete their plan of activities. Faculty members should submit their letter through this form.
If you have questions, please contact: cuawards@cooper.edu
Note: The full-tuition scholarships will augment existing financial aid awards and impact each recipient differently. All awardees are required to contact the Office of Financial Aid to discuss their individual circumstances.
The IDC Foundation promotes innovation in architecture, engineering, and building construction with an emphasis on interaction among those fields to address pressing societal needs. The IDC Foundation has been a generous benefactor of The Cooper Union including support for student scholarships, fellowships, faculty curriculum development, distinguished professorships, and the transformative grant that funded our IDC Foundation Art, Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (AACE) Lab.
