Paula Maynes ARE Grant

The Paula Maynes ARE Grant recognizes architecture graduates pursuing licensure and their contributions to the profession and their greater communities by offsetting the costs of the Architect Registration Examination (ARE).

Established in 2015, the grant celebrates the late Paula Maynes, AIA, whose collaborative character and legacy of mentorship and service to the profession left an indelible impact on the architecture community.

Applications Open in June 2025
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Scholarship namesake Paula Maynes promoted licensure.

Award

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. Upon notification of the award, recipients are set up to have three seat credits applied to their NCARB record. An additional $100 stipend for study materials is granted to recipients.

Timeline

Application period: June - August
Recipient notification:  September
Recipient announcement:  October

Eligibility

Applicants must be:
  • An AIA Pennsylvania Associate Member
  • An NCARB record holder in good standing
  • Eligible to test for the ARE in Pennsylvania at time of application

Application

Completed applications must include the following components 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, CV (limited to 2 pages)
  3. One recommendation letter (limited to 1 page)
    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 test for the ARE, and/or receipts of passing divisions of the ARE.
    For example, a screenshot of the applicant’s NCARB record (under Exam tab) proving eligible testing status in Pennsylvania.

Criteria

Applicants will be assessed on the following criteria:
  • Significant contributions to the profession and/or community or intent/ideas to contribute to the profession
  • A passion for architecture and the pursuit of registration
  • A financial need

Selection

The AIA Pennsylvania Emerging Professionals Committee (EPiC) facilitates the review of applications and selection of grant recipients presented to the AIA Pennsylvania Board of Directors for approval.

Requirements

Recipient input is required for AIA Pennsylvania’s annual announcement and profile of recipients

Recipients