2025 PAVE Global x VMSD Scholarship + Experience

APPLICATION DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER 5, 2025, BY 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 $216,000 in grants and scholarships in the past five years.

The VMSD Scholarship recognizes and supports leadership potential in Interior Design, Retail Design, Hospitality Design, Visual Merchandising, Architecture, UX Design, Engineering, Product Design, and similar programs. The recipient of this scholarship will have the opportunity to receive a $1,500 scholarship plus travel, hotel, and daily per diem covered to attend the International Retail Design Conference (IRDC) in Providence, Rhode Island, October 22-23, 2025 (Total Prize Package Value - $4,500).

Presented annually by VMSD magazine, the International Retail Design Conference (IRDC) is a one-of-a-kind conference that delivers two full days of education and design dialogue centered on the newest best practices, emerging opportunities, and fresh strategies for engaging shoppers, maximizing resources, and rethinking the retail experience. IRDC is recognized as the premier educational and networking event for the store design and visual merchandising communities. www.vmsd.com/irdc

GUIDELINES

• Student must be a 3rd or 4th-year undergraduate or graduate student (any year) as of October 22, 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, Product Design, or similar programs.
• Student must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
• Student must be located and studying within the United States or Canada.

REQUIREMENTS

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

•  Personal Statement (Max 500 Words): Why are you pursuing a degree/career in the design of retail environments/consumer experiences?
   
•  Portfolio (8-10 Pages Max): Highlights of your most recent retail-related** work. Can be student or professional-based.
   
•  One Professional Reference: We will need the phone number and email address for your reference only; a letter or reference is not required. Your professional 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 September 5, 2025, by 11:59 pm ET/8:59 PT to be considered.
   

**Retail-related work includes design work related to retail, restaurant/F&B, hospitality, healthcare, workplace, education, pop-ups, immersive experiences, products, store fixtures/displays, etc.