Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging
Moving justice and equity decisively from aspiration to action.
The American Institute of Architects, as part of the global community, is building a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusion within the profession of architecture to create a better environment for all. Achieving this vision has a direct impact on the relevance of our profession and the world's prosperity, health, and future.
Equity resources
Use these resources to supplement your own professional EDI development.
Social impact
Justice in the Built Environment
This supplementary edition is intended to help designers convey the opportunities, benefits, and challenges of making justice a deliberate aim of the building process.
How To
Guides for Equitable Practice
The Guides for Equitable Practice are a vital part of AIA’s long-term commitment to lead efforts that ensure the profession of architecture is as diverse as the nation we serve.
Career and the profession
An Investigation into Bias in the Architecture Profession
In partnership with the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Center for WorkLife Law examined how bias plays out in the architecture profession, how it affects workplace processes such as hiring and performance evaluations, and how it affects outcome measures such as intent to stay with one’s employer.
Initiative
Harassment Prevention Resources
This page offers resources to members to identify and respond to harassment in the workplace.
Blueprint for Better
Learn more about how we’re getting the word out about the powerful social impact of architects and how you can become involved
How To
Framework for Design Excellence
A resource, accessible to all architects, that closes the information gap to designing high performing, equitable, beautiful buildings
Report
Examining the state of diversity
A new report reveals the state of diversity within architecture, with special attention to gender and race, challenges to career advancement, and job satisfaction levels.
Report
Recommendations from AIA's Equity in Architecture Commission
A blue-ribbon panel of architects, educators, and diversity experts came together to strengthen the commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion at AIA and in every practice.
Membership demographics
The following report aggregates key demographic trends regarding The American Institute of Architects’ (AIA’s) membership, board of directors, strategic council, and national staff. Please note that while AIA’s membership is an extensive community of more than 95,000 architectural professionals, participation in AIA is not mandatory to practice, and not all AIA members are licensed in the United States.
Get engaged
Check out these engagement opportunities offered exclusively by AIA.
Next to Lead
Discover Next to Lead, a new pilot program that creates leadership opportunities within AIA for ethnically diverse women.
Career and the profession
Diversity Recognition Program
The AIA Diversity Recognition Program seeks to recognize exemplary commitment and contributions to diversifying the profession of architecture
Career resources
These resources can provide support on your path to a career in architecture.
Career and the profession
Scholarships
Learn about the scholarships and other support the AIA offers to help students and future architects with tuition and ARE costs. You’ve got big plans for your future. A scholarship from the Architects Foundation can help you reach them. Every year, the Foundation awards thousands of dollars in architecture scholarships to high school students; to architecture students in NAAB-accredited undergraduate and graduate degree programs; to Architect Registration Exam (ARE) candidates who are working toward becoming licensed architects; and to licensed architects pursuing educational enrichment opportunities.
Career and the profession
Architecture grants and fellowships
Access to funding is what makes significant research possible. That’s why we enable, support and celebrate research through these grants and fellowships.
Firm management
The AIA Leadership Academy
The AIA Leadership Academy is a comprehensive three-year professional development experience built around people, growth, practice, and community.