2025 Bish Creative POP Scholarship + Experience
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APPLICATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 31, 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 consumer 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 $216,000 in financial grants and scholarships in the past five years.
The Bish Creative Display POP Scholarship + Experience recognizes and supports leadership potential in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Applied Design, Engineering Design, UX Design, Product Design, Branding, and similar programs who have an interest in pursuing a career in POP Design.
THE AWARD
Student applicants will be judged blindly by a panel of industry professionals. One student will be selected to receive the following:
- $3,500 cash prize
- 5-day immersive mentorship experience at Bish Creative Display, in Chicago, IL. Travel and expenses covered.**
- Attend the 2025 PAVE Gala on December 8th in New York City, as a guest of Bish Creative Display. Travel and expenses covered.
ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES
- Student must be enrolled in a 2 to 4-year undergraduate or graduate program working toward a degree in Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Applied Design, Engineering Design, UX Design, Product Design, Branding, and similar programs who have an interest in pursuing a career in POP Design.
- Student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
- Student must be a full-time student, enrolled in at least 12 credit hours (or equivalent, based on your program requirements).
- Student must be located and studying within the United States or Canada.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
The following items must be included in your application for your request to be considered.
- Cover Letter (Max 500 Words): Tell us about yourself. What interests you about pursuing a Graphic Design career designing Point-of-purchase retail displays?
- Portfolio (8-10 Pages Max): Highlights of your most recent design work. Can be student or professional-based. Must include 2-3 pages of your design work done outside of school/class for fun (examples include logo design, flyer, character designs, and 3D graphics).
- Please submit a picture portfolio of displays in the marketplace that are intriguing to you.
- Please submit any designs or projects in your classwork that focus on point of purchase, in-store marketing, and merchandising.
- 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 October 31, 2025, by 11:59 PM ET/8:59 PM PT to be considered.
**The in-person mentorship experience will occur on a mutually agreed-upon date.