2024 VILCEK PRIZES FOR CREATIVE PROMISE IN DESIGN

The Vilcek Foundation will award three Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise of $50,000 each to young, immigrant designers who demonstrate outstanding early achievement in design. 

DEADLINE: JUNE 12, 2023

Designers working in digital design, graphic design, product design, or social design are eligible to apply for a Vilcek Prize for Creative Promise in Design. Applicants must have been born outside the United States and be 38 years of age or younger. Limited exceptions to the age requirement may apply for individuals who have taken caregiving, medical, military, or parental leave.

The Vilcek Foundation is committed to inclusive exchange. Through their prizes, they reward immigrant artists and scientists at every stage of their careers. The grants support the programs and initiatives of other organizations that complement with their mission. Whether displayed in an exhibition in the gallery space, sent on tour in a traveling exhibit, or loaned to another organization, our art collection connects the foundation with cultural institutions around the world, facilitating academic and artistic dialogue.

The arts and sciences are creative endeavors, constantly evolving and influencing our society. The Vilcek Foundation is passionate about celebrating immigrant artists and scientists. Their work contributes to the advancement of culture for all of us.

ELIGIBLE CATEGORIES

• Digital design: experience design, game design, information design/data visualization, interaction design, software design, systems design, etc.
• Graphic design: branding, communication design, identity, packaging design, etc.
• Product design: furniture design, industrial design, lighting design, materials design, transportation design, etc.
• Social design: ecological design, equitable design, inclusive design, service design, sustainable design, etc.

ELIGIBILITY

• Have been born outside the United States of America to non-American parents.
• Not be more than 38 years old as of December 31, 2023 (born on or after January 1, 1985). ​​Exceptions will be made for applicants who were born between January 1, 1983, and December 31, 1984 who experienced career interruptions due to caregiving, medical, military or parental leave.
• Have lived in the United States for at least 4 years (or immigrated to the United States on or before December 31, 2019).
• Be one of the following: a naturalized citizen or a permanent resident of the United States; an H-1B or O-1 visa holder with a valid visa stamp; a H-4 visa holder with a valid EAD card; a recipient of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) relief; an asylee or an asylum seeker who has applied for asylum and has a valid EAD card.
• Have at least 5 years of professional experience in design.
• Have completed at least 3 implemented, professional solo or collective design projects. 
• Not be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate or graduate degree program (Exceptions may apply for some doctoral students who will complete their program this year).
• Intend to pursue a career in the United States.
• Not be a past recipient of the Vilcek Prizes for Creative Promise in any category.

ENTRY PROCEDURE

Complete the application process. You will be required to:

• Provide personal information.
• Upload a PDF with documentation of your valid immigration status and your date of birth.
• Provide URL links to your portfolio of 3 to 5 projects, not to exceed 2 pages per project.
• Upload a PDF of your CV with a complete list of design projects, education and training, current and past affiliations, awards and recognitions.
• Provide up to 5 press clippings about your work.
• Complete 3 essay questions:
  • Please describe your most important projects. We are interested in learning about the intention behind each of those projects, your artistic foundations, and creative approaches you developed based on your personal or professional path. (2,000 characters maximum including spaces)
  • What do you hope to achieve through your work and how do you think it contributes to the development of design as an art form and unique field of knowledge and practice? (2,000 characters maximum including spaces)
  • Describe the circumstances of your immigration to the United States and how your experience as an immigrant informs and enriches your approach to design. (1,500 characters maximum including spaces)
• Provide the names and contact information of 2 references.
• Sign an age exception self-attestation if you were born between January 1, 1983, and December 31, 1984.

Submit a completed application by Monday, June 12, 2023, 5:00 pm ET.