The SOM Foundation is pleased to announce the opening of the 2024 Research Prize, the 2024 European Research Prize, and the 2024 Robert L. Wesley Award.
2024–25 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.
2024 Research Prize
Two 30,000 USD prizes will be awarded to faculty-led interdisciplinary teams based in the United States to conduct original research that contributes to this year’s topic, “Advancing Toward a Water-Secure Future.”
The 2024 Research Prize jury will be led by Iker Gil (Executive Director, SOM Foundation) 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), Carol Coletta (President and CEO, Memphis River Parks Partnership), Alex Krieger (Professor in Practice of Urban Design, Emeritus, Harvard University Graduate School of Design; SOM Foundation fellow), and Shannon Nichol (Cofounder, GGN).
Application deadline for the 2024 Research Prize is Monday, November 11, 2024 at 5pm CDT. Apply here.
2024 European Research Prize
The 20,000 EUR prize will be awarded to a faculty-led interdisciplinary team based in Europe to conduct original research that contributes to this year’s topic, “Advancing Toward a Water-Secure Future.”
The 2024 European Research Prize jury will be led by Iker Gil (Executive Director, SOM Foundation) and will include Montserrat Bonvehi Rosich (Visiting Assistant Professor of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, Sam Fox School of Design at Washington University in St. Louis; SOM Foundation fellow), Margarita Jover (Professor in Architecture, Program Co-Director of Landscape + Engineering, Tulane University; cofounder aldayjover), Henk Ovink (Executive Director and founding Commissioner, Global Commission on the Economics of Water), and Jane Withers (Director, Jane Withers Studio; Curator of Water Pressure: Designing for the Future).
Application deadline for the 2024 European Research Prize is Monday, November 11, 2024 at 5pm CDT. Apply here.
2024 Robert L. Wesley Award
The Robert L. Wesley Award supports BIPOC undergraduate students enrolled in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, or engineering programs in the United States. This year, three students will receive a 10,000 USD award in addition to a yearlong mentorship program that connects the students with leading BIPOC practitioners and educators.
The 2024 Robert L. Wesley Award jury will be led by Robert L. Wesley (Retired Partner, SOM) and will include Monica Chada (Founder and Principal, Civic Projects Architecture), Andrew Santa Lucia (Founder, Office Andorus; Associate Professor of Practice, Portland State University’s School of Architecture), and Stephen Slaughter (Chairperson of Undergraduate Architecture, Pratt Institute’s School of Architecture).
Application deadline for the 2024 Robert L. Wesley Award is Thursday, November 14, 2024 at 5pm CDT. Apply here.
About the SOM Foundation
Founded in 1979, the SOM Foundation’s goal is to advance the design profession’s ability to address the key topics of our time by bringing together and supporting groups and individuals, each with the highest possible design aspirations. The Foundation’s award programming was established in 1981 and currently offers six annual awards across the United States, Europe, and China. The awards support students and faculty of architecture, landscape architecture, interior architecture, urban design, and engineering to undertake rigorous interdisciplinary research that can help shape our future.
