Foundation seeks research that supports well-being for all
The ASID Foundation is pleased to accept proposals for its sixth annual Transform Grants through March 15, 2017. This year, the Foundation will continue its mission to elevate the impact of interior design by funding evidence-based research on how interior design can foster well-being for all.
The need to strive toward everyday wellness in the built environment and to foster well-being through the spaces we design has become a mainstream goal, but research suggests that access to well-being is not easily available to those working on or below the poverty line. Those families and individuals who may be most in need of healthy residences, schools, workplaces, and municipal buildings may be the least likely to have access to them.
Awarded annually, the Transform Grants support applied research in interior design and human behavior. In 2017, the Foundation will award up to $100,000 to evidence-based research projects that address interior design or policy solutions that use space to enhance one or more elements of well-being for all. The ASID Foundation considers the five elements of well-being to be physical, social (mental/emotional), financial, career, and community.
The Transform Grants include two types of research studies:
Grant A – Seed/Start-up Funds: Up to $30,000 to support the exploration or pilot phase of broader research initiatives. Must be completed in nine months or less.
Grant B – Research Project: Up to $70,000 to investigate how design can transform lives. Must be completed in 18 months or less.
“The importance of using the power of design to support vulnerable groups in need of physical, mental, and social well-being has never been more important,” said ASID Foundation Chair Patrick J. Schmidt, FASID, RID. “Design interventions can improve the quality of life for populations in need and provide everyday health, safety, and wellness to them. The ASID Foundation looks forward to receiving proposals that explore the potential of interior design to promote well-being for all people, regardless of socio-economic status.”
A panel of expert judges will evaluate submissions and prioritize the top five studies for each grant type. The ASID Foundation’s Board of Trustees will make the final funding decisions. The evaluation criteria is based on the significance of the study, the innovativeness of research questions, the feasibility of budget and timeline, the strength and breadth of the target audience reach, and the overall quality of the submission.
The deadline for submissions is March 15, 2017. For a complete description of guidelines and additional information, visit https://www.asid.org/sites/default/files/images/Documents/Transform-2017-RFP.pdf
About ASID Foundation
The ASID Foundation advances the interior design profession by drawing upon its resources to promote meaningful collaboration and research, award scholarships, and fund projects that broaden the value of interior design. Created in 1975, the ASID Foundation’s mission is to support endeavors that capture and disseminate knowledge, encourage innovation, and benefit the health, safety, and welfare of the public through interior design research, scholarships, and education. The Foundation’s current initiatives include the a comprehensive scholarship program; the National Building Museum Capital Council; The 1+ project with Public Architecture; and the Transform Research Grants. Visit asidfoundation.org for more information.
About ASID
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) believes that design transforms lives. ASID serves the full range of the interior design profession and practice through the Society’s programs, networks, and advocacy. We thrive on the strength of cross-functional and interdisciplinary relationships among designers of all specialties, including workplace, healthcare, retail and hospitality, education, institutional, and residential. We lead interior designers in shared conversations around topics that matter: from evidence-based and humancentric design to social responsibility, well-being, and sustainability. We showcase the impact of design on the human experience and the value interior designers provide.
ASID was founded 40 years ago when two organizations became one, but its legacy dates back to the early 1930s. As we celebrate nearly 85 years of industry leadership, we are leading the future of interior design, continuing to integrate the advantages of local connections with national reach, of small firms with big, and of the places we live with the places we work, play, and heal. Learn more at asid.org.
