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APPLICATION DEADLINE: FEBRUARY 28, 2025, BEFORE 11:59 PM EASTERN/8:59 PM PACIFIC
 

The PAVE Scholarship Program, now in its fifteenth year, provides financial assistance to students in educational programs preparing them for careers in the retail environments industry, including but not limited to careers in retail design, visual merchandising, interior design, architecture, product design, UX design, graphic design, and industrial design. PAVE was developed to help ensure a future talent pool for the industry by eliminating barriers to studying in these fields. The funds assist students who are experiencing financial difficulties that may prevent them from continuing school. PAVE has awarded students over $254,400 in financial grants and scholarships in the past three years.

The Shop! Scholarship + Experience recognizes and supports leadership potential in Interior Design, Retail Design, Hospitality Design, Visual Merchandising, Architecture, UX Design, Engineering, Industrial Design, Product Design, and similar areas of study.

The recipient of this scholarship will be invited to attend SHOP! MarketPlace 2025 in Charlotte, NC - April 8-10, 2025 (registration, airfare, hotel, and per diem covered), plus receive a $600 cash award.

Shop! Marketplace 2025 will be the premier boutique trade fair committed to elevating the in-store experience, presented by the Shop! Association in partnership with VMSD and SmartWork Media, this three-day event will take place April 8-10, 2025, at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Retailers, brand owners, and design professionals from across the globe will be inspired by the education, networking, and discovery of the latest curated products, services, and innovations impacting the future of consumer experience.  This is a must-attend opportunity to connect with industry peers in a uniquely sophisticated and experiential setting.
 

GUIDELINES
 

• Student must be a current 3rd or 4th-year student (4-year program) or 2nd-year student (2-year program) as of April 2025.
• Student must be enrolled in a program working toward a degree in Interior Design, Retail Design, Hospitality Design, Visual Merchandising, UX Design, Architecture, Engineering, Industrial Design, Product Design, or similar areas of study.
• Student must be located and studying within the United States.

REQUIREMENTS

    The following items must be included in your application for your request to be considered.​​
 

• Letter of Consideration (Max 500 Words):
  Why are you interested in a potential career in the design of retail, restaurant, or hospitality environments? What is a design aspiration or trend that you would like to see in the future in regard to these industries? (Essays should address all of the above topics for consideration by the PAVE Scholarship Committee.)
• Project Folio (5 Pages Max)
  Highlights of your most recent work. Can be student or professional-based.
• One Professional Reference
  We will need the phone number and an email address for your reference. Can be a professor, faculty member, or an employer (including internship supervisors). References CAN NOT be friends or family members.
• Must include a complete copy of your current transcript (official or unofficial).
• Applications and supporting documents must be submitted through Submittable.
• All applications must be received by February 28, 2025, before 11:59 PM Eastern/8:59 PM Pacific to be considered.
   

THE CHALLENGE

Concept a café/seating area space that connects with the community, utilizes Whole Foods Market's core values, and creates an aesthetically pleasing user-friendly space. Think outside the box! Make it a space that people want to hang out and linger in. Create Instagram moments, artistic spaces, or comfortable spaces. [Download the Design Brief]

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 2025, BEFORE 11:59 PM EASTERN/8:59 PM PACIFIC

ELIGIBILITY

• You must be currently enrolled in a 2 or 4-year program at a university, state/community college, or technical school pursuing a degree in retail design, interior design, architecture, industrial design, product design, graphic design, visual merchandising, UX design, or similar areas of study.
• You must be studying and physically located in the US or Canada.​

If you are unsure if you are eligible to participate, please contact us at info@paveglobal.org.

REQUIREMENTS

• Students will complete this challenge as an Individual.
• Projects must be submitted through Submittable by Friday, March 7, 2025, before 11:59 PM Eastern/8:59 PM Pacific.​​
• Projects should be submitted as PDFs in 11x17 landscape (horizontal) format with a maximum of 7 single-sided pages. Reference pages do not count towards page count.
• PAVE utilizes a blind judging system, the student's name and/or school may not appear anywhere on the deliverables.

THE PRIZE

The best design will be chosen and our spoThe best design will be chosen and the Whole Foods Market team will work directly with the student in a mentoring role to translate their intentions into a prototype. This prototype will be brought to life and displayed prominently in the PAVE Global booth at Shop! Marketplace, in Charlotte, North Carolina, April 8-10, 2025.

​Additionally, the winning student will also receive an invitation to attend Shop! Marketplace (flight, hotel, and per diem covered) where they will participate in exciting educational sessions, make new professional connections, and see their concept brought to life.

ABOUT THE CHALLENGE
The PAVE Global x Whole Foods Market Student Design Challenge promotes “real-world” design experience for college-level students in North America, who are interested in pursuing careers related to the design and creation of consumer environments.

QUESTIONS?
Contact us at info@paveglobal.org or check the FAQ.