AIA Pennsylvania’s Emerging Professionals Committee (EPiC) has identified a need to provide assistance to Associates throughout the Commonwealth, who are taking the Architect Registration Examination (ARE). Due to the lingering impacts of the recession on the architectural, design and construction fields, many emerging professionals are still underemployed and struggling to pay off school loans. EPiC believes it is essential for the future success of our profession to retain as many young professionals and Associates as possible and aims to facilitate their path to licensure. An important component of our commitment to emerging professionals is our initiative to provide more financial assistance to pay for the ARE.

This grant is dedicated to the remembrance of Paula Maynes, AIA.  She was an ardent supporter of the creation of this grant, and she inspired us with a legacy of mentorship, service to the profession, a stellar work ethic and a unique calm, collaborative nature.  These qualities that embodied Paula are what we seek to develop in ARE candidates in Pennsylvania. We aspire to become more like her, with a healthy work-life balance.

Paula graduated from CMU’s Architecture Program and worked for several architectural firms before starting Maynes Associates Architects for the past 20-plus years.  She served two terms on the AIA Pittsburgh Board of Directors and two terms on the AIA PA Board of Directors. She was the President of AIA Pittsburgh in 2008, Secretary of the AIA Pennsylvania Board in 2012, and she chaired the Government Affairs committee in 2010 and 2011.  Paula mentored new graduates and volunteered as a panel judge at the Carnegie Mellon University School of Architecture. This award aims to recognize aspiring architects in Pennsylvania, who follow her footsteps through their dedication to achieving licensure and towards positively impacting their profession and community.

The cost of three (3) divisions (valued at $705) of the 6 part ARE exam, will be awarded to up to three (3) eligible candidates. An additional $100.00 stipend for study materials will also be granted.  Upon notification of award, recipients will be set up to have three seat credits applied to their NCARB record.

In order to be eligible for the Paula Maynes ARE Scholarship, interested applicants must be (1) an AIA Pennsylvania Associate Member (2) a NCARB record holder in good standing.

Applications will be reviewed by the AIA Pennsylvania Emerging Professionals Committee (EPiC), and winners will be presented to the AIA Pennsylvania Board of Directors for approval.*

Applicants should demonstrate the following:

1. Significant contributions to the profession and/or community or intent/ideas to contribute to the profession
2. A passion for Architecture and the pursuit of registration
3. A financial need

*Grant recipients are approved by the AIA Pennsylvania Board of Directors. All results are final.

The submission deadline is 11:59 PM on Friday, August 4, 2023. Please submit your application and upload your documentation via the red APPLY button above. Recipients will be notified in October and announced to membership at large in November.

Completed scholarship applications must include the following four items uploaded in one pdf file:

1. Statement of contribution to the community and/or profession or statement of intent/ideas to contribute to the profession (limited to 1 page)
2. One professional biography and/or résumé (limited to 2 pages)
3. One recommendation letter
   *Applicants must provide a signed recommendation letter from an AXP Mentor or Supervisor, an AIA member in good standing, or an AIA Component Executive. This recommendation letter is limited to one page and must be collected by the applicant and supplied with the additional supporting materials.
4. Proof of eligibility to sit for the ARE, and/or receipts of passing divisions of the ARE.
   *This includes your (1) Authorization to Test Expiration Date and (2) your NCARB AXP number.

If you have any questions about the Paula Maynes ARE Grant, please contact Susan Frear, AIA Pennsylvania Membership and Marketing Coordinator: sfrear@aiapa.org or 814-404-8345